Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Astra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Astra has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Astra shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Astra's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1365 kgs (3009 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Astra shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 193 lb-ft (261.6 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Vauxhall-Opel Astra you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel Astra.

The Vauxhall-Opel Astra has a Power to weight ratio of 144.3 bhp per ton and 141.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 Astra competing with the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Vauxhall-Opel Astra generating around 141.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1978 Renault 5 Turbo Phase 1 (166.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Volvo S40 2.5 T5 Sport (166.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs) the or the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Astra and the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.31 secs @ 89.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate (15.24 secs), the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (15.25 secs), and the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (15.26 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 Astra equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

2005 Astra Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison