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Vauxhall prepares Toyota iQ competitor
 
Toyota called it the iQ and Vauxhall is calling it Trixx, although these two compacts look different they both serve the same purpose, navigating today’s overcrowded city streets. The Vauxhall is inspired by the 2004 Trixx Concept, complete with an electric motor and batteries based on the units originally used in the Opel Ampera. The front end of the Trixx also benefits from being heavily influenced by Opel’s hybrid electric concept vehicle. The Vauxhall will have a range of about 90 miles between charges, making the Trixx even better suited for day to day around town driving. The car will make its official debut sometime in 2012.
What we will drive in 2049...
Students from the London based Royal College of Art have been asked by Vauxhall to create futuristic interpretations of what they envision will be on the road in 2049. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the College’s Vehicle Design course the artist responsible for the best Opel inspired design will be given the opportunity to intern at the General Motors European Design Centre in Germany. The students were told to let their imaginations run wild and the resulting renderings ranged from futuristic single seaters to extremely abstract suggestions of movement. However one point of concern for driving enthusiasts who like to have control of their machine, the majority of the future cars are autonomous machines where humans are nothing more than passengers. 2009 Opel Insignia Sports Tourer
Opel is introducing its third body type to the 2009 Insigna line-up, a wagon. Known as the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer, this wagon is an important car for Opel considering the popularity of wagons in Europe. While this will be considered a lager family car in Europe, it would be consider a mid-sized wagon in the U.S. There is no confirmation yet that this model will also make the trip to these shores when its sedan sibling replaces the Saturn Aura possibly in 2010.  There are nine total engines expected for the Insigna family. Choices include five gasoline — naturally aspired and turbo charged four cylinders as well as naturally aspired V6s. Also expected are four turbo-diesels. Power over the entire range should be from 110 to 260 hp. The wagon will also get the same optional all-wheel drive system as the rest of the Insignia line. The Sports Tourer is expected to make its official debut at the Paris Auto Show in October, and it should be in European showrooms along the sedan and hatchback variations by early 2009. Press release after the jump. Full story Vauxhall Astra VXR by Triple Eight Engineering
 This red hot Vauxhall Astra VXR from the English race shop Triple Eight Engineering will make Ford Focus RS’s everywhere run for cover. The hatchback is fitted with a Remus exhaust for a 20bhp increase in potency and the ECU has been reprogrammed to release an additional 50 horses. This brings the output of the turbocharged four cylinder up to 305 HP. Combining the Eibach sports suspension, 18 inch alloys and 4 piston calipers from 888 transform the little Astra into one agile hot hatch.
2009 Vauxhall Corsa and Astra VXR
Vauxhall revealed today the special editions Corsa and Astra VXR to celebrate VX Racing’s success in the 2008 British Touring Car Championship. Both models are on sale now in UK at a price of £17,425.00 for the Corsa and £21,445 for the Astra version.Combined production will be limited to 888 units.  Both models will be offered with full leather Recaro seats as standard, logos on the B-posts and tread plates, a black rear diffuser and black side bump strips and door mirror covers are all part of the package. In addition, the Astra version gains Piano Black interior decor strips. Under the hood, the output is raised by 20 hp. Add to this a Remus exhaust system, gloss-black alloy wheels – 18” for Corsa, 19” for Astra and you will get the perfect sports cars. Press release after the jump. Full story 2010 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst Edition
Vauxhall revealed today the special edition VXR8 called the Bathurst Edition. Sales will begin at a price of £37,995 for the standard Bathurst and £44,995 for the Bathurst S. Current rates put those prices at about $54,500 and $64,500 respecitvly, but no need to call the accountant. Vauxhall doesn’t sell to the U.S., but the Pontiac G8 GXP is a very close cousin to the standard VXR8.  The Bathurst S adds a Walkinshaw’s 122 Supercharger to the 6.2-liter V8. Now the engine delivers 560 hp (up from the standard 431 hp) and 715Nm of torque. This package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map. The standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.  Outside, both Bathurst’s receive a distinctive graphic packs, front fog light covers and ‘Bathurst’ badges (only the ‘S’ badge reveals the secret identity of the supercharged model.) Both cars also receive six-pot front and four-pot rear brake calipers, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over adjustable dampers. Full details in the press release after the jump. Full story 2010 Vauxhall Astra teaser
Vauxhall revealed the first teasers on the 2010 Astra that will make its official debut at the next year’s Frankfurt Show. Vauxhall/Opel hope to continue the design success its been enjoying with the current Astra and Corsa. Vauxhall is touting the new Astra’s Front Camera System used in the upcoming Insignia, which combines traffic sign recognition with a lane departure system, improving occupant safety and potentially helping drivers avoid fines. Press release after the jump. Full story
Vauxhall Astra TwinTop receives new VXR styling pack
Vauxhall unveiled two editions of the Astra TwinTop called Exclusiv and Exclusiv XP. For the U.S. audience, the TwinTop is like a prettier version of the Pontiac G6 convertible. The two Vauxhalls come with new 18-inch alloy wheels used exclusively on this editions, heated mirrors, leather interior, leather steering wheel and heated leather seats. The Exclusiv XP also receives a VXR styling package. The Exclusiv XP edition comes with a new VXR styling pack consisting in a new front spoiler, new side sills and a re-designed rear bumper. The engines available for the two editions are a 1.8-liter gas engine developing 140 hp, a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine capable to develop 200 hp and a 1.9-liter diesel engine developing 150 hp. Pricing starts from £19,295 (at current exchange rates is about $34,396.)
Vauxhall Corsa VXR Arctic Edition
Vauxhal revealed today a new Corsa VXR special edition. The "Arctic Edition" will make tis world debut at the British International Motor Show on July 22. It will be limited to only 500 units, each priced at £16,995. The Corsa VXR Arctic Edition will be powered by the new 6.2-litre, 431PS V8 engine, and the recently launched Astra Nurburgring Edition. It will feature unique Glacier White paintwork, bespoke black 18-inch V-spoke alloy wheels with ultra-low profile 225/35 tyres and a Remus Sports exhaust. Full story 2008 Vauxhall Astra TwinTop Exclusiv XP
With Spring absent this year, there’s no better car than the Astra TwinTop to deal with a mix of weather conditions, be they sub-zero or near-Sahara. And now there are two new models, the Exclusiv and Exclusiv XP, bringing added style and panache to the four-seater convertible range. As with all TwinTops, they feature a three-piece electro-hydraulic roof which can be raised and lowered in less than 30 seconds – even while the car’s moving at up to 18mph.  In addition to the TwinTop Exclusiv (which replaces the Exclusiv Black edition), the Exclusiv XP model gains the stunning VXR Styling Pack as standard, with a body-coloured lower front spoiler, rear lower skirt, lip spoiler and side sills. And for the first time, the TwinTop Exclusiv – along with the Exclusive XP – can be specified in two new colours, Star Silver and Panacotta, as well as the existing Power Red and Black Sapphire body colours. Full story | Vauxhall cars reviews2011 2010
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Vauxhall cars
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