Geneva 2014 debut for Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme concept

Vauxhall will unveil its fastest Astra model ever at this year’s 2014 Geneva Motor Show when it pulls the covers off its Astra VXR Extreme concept car.

According to the British firm, the Extreme will be even more powerful than the standard Astra VXR, boasting lightweight components that make the race track “the car’s natural environment.”

On Bing: see pictures of the Vauxhall Astra VXR

Find out how much a used Vauxhall Astra VXR costs on Auto Trader

The first image of the vehicle shows a low, aggressive looking car featuring revised aerodynamics – including that massive rear wing – and a new dual-twin tailpipe setup.

These changes over the standard VXR won’t be the most significant, however.

According to Vauxhall, the VXR’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine will be boosted from its standard output of 280hp and 295lb ft of torque – expect the Extreme’s engine to kick out around 300hp, the same as its track-only Astra VXR Cup racer sibling.

In fact, the competition-spec Astra campaigned in the Nurburgring VLN series of endurance races has been the inspiration for the Extreme concept.

Drawing on the racing background, Vauxhall’s Geneva 2014 concept will use plenty of “high-quality carbon components” to reduce the vehicle’s kerb weight.

An “integrated safety structure” (by this we think Vauxhall means a roll cage), racing seats and six-point harnesses will reinforce the motorsport theme.

With the potential of 300hp on tap and putting the VXR on a diet of lightweight carbonfibre, expect the VXR Extreme to sprint from 0-62mph in around 5.5 seconds, making it 0.4 seconds quicker than its regular stable mate.

This year marks a decade since Vauxhall’s VXR performance sub-brand was launched, so there’s no better way to celebrate the special birthday than with a wild motor show concept.

It could be more than just a prototype, though. Vauxhall says the Extreme will be the basis for a future low-volume production run.

With SEAT, Honda and maybe even Volkswagen looking to brake the eight-minute Nurburgring front-wheel drive hot hatch lap record, Vauxhall may well have just joined the party.

On Bing: see pictures of the Vauxhall Astra VXR

Find out how much a used Vauxhall Astra VXR costs on Auto Trader

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By motoringresearch.com