Vauxhall/Opel has turned to British roads - and Lotus's engineering division - to fine-tune the forthcoming Astra VXR for UK buyers.
Most development work on the next-generation three-door Astra, likely to carry the badge GTC, has been conducted around Opel's traditional engineering base in Germany.
See Autocar's exclusive pics of the Astra GTC
However, for the high-performance version of the car, which is expected to have between 280bhp and 300bhp, the firm is said to have turned to the chassis experts at Lotus for assistance. It's not the first time that Lotus has worked on a hot Astra; it was widely recognised as a strong influence over the set-up of the previous VXR.
Official confirmation of the involvement is unlikely to be forthcoming, however, since it is said to have been conducted on a consultation basis.
Read more on the next Vauxhall Astra VXR
While the old VXR had an electronic 'limited-slip differential' system, Vauxhall/Opel is said to be switching the next version of the car to a mechanical set-up. It's likely that one of Lotus's main missions will have been to tune this set-up, aiming to reduce torque steer. The car is also likely to get the Hyperstrut front suspension that was developed for the Insignia VXR.
The new VXR will arrive at roughly the same time as the regular three-door Astra - but that's not expected to be until the end of next year.
Join the debate
Add your comment
Re: Hot Astra 'has Lotus input'
I wish they would bring back a successor to the Lotus Carton.... A Lotus Insignia?
Re: Hot Astra 'has Lotus input'
The VXR220 is an amazing car too, but for the rarity and the extra expense of them, I'd go for a Turbo and tune it.
Thorney and Courtneys do big power conversions (if you have the money). Up to 350 bhp! 200 odd is scary enough in something that small and light!
It's the car I've promised myself one day. Much prefer the VX to the Elise.
I don't see why they have such a problem with it again. The Calibra V6 has tons of torque (ok, maybe not as much as an Astra VXR, "only" 183 ft/lb in mine) but absolutely no torque steer.....
Re: Hot Astra 'has Lotus input'
It's horrible isn't it!? Every time I sat in the car I'd be holding the sport button so that I'd at least get some form of traction off the line. I haven't had the opportunity to drive a VX220 but would love to drive the turbo with as you said the Ohlins suspension. Thorney do some nice stuff for them as well! Shame there's nobody tuning them to the same level as tune as the VXR's (I guess same could be said for the Lotus elise/exige). I would have happily spent an extra 1k-2k list price to get some decent suspension, torque steer didn't bother me like it seems to bother everyone else. Just hold the steering wheel better lool.