Astra VXR

A few weeks back we drove the Ford Focus ST500, a limited edition of Ford's hot hatch distinguished solely by a new paint job, and now Vauxhall has had a go at tarting up the Astra VXR with this, the Nurburgring Edition.

In fairness, unlike the Focus ST500, the VXR Nurburgring Edition does feature at least a minor mechanical difference from the stock Astra VXR: a Remus Sports Exhaust developed by Vauxhall's BTCC race team.

Other than that, though, it's just an Astra VXR with white paint, white wheels (which we like) and silly chequered decals (which we don't). Oh, and you get a few bits of extra carbon fibre and a numbered plaque on the inside.

The two-litre engine still produces the same 237bhp but, given the VXR's already lairy road manners, it's probably a good thing Vauxhall didn't decide to ramp up the power any further.

The Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition costs £20,995 - £1,100 more than the stock Astra VXR. Of course, you could always save the extra and spend it on a trip to the 'Ring to get a proper bootlid sticker...