Radical has never been associated with Vauxhall - It is now !

• Low-weight, high-power VXR derivative set for Geneva unveil

Vauxhall today released the first official image of one of its new Geneva show stars, the Astra VXR EXTREME, which will be the basis for a future low-volume production run.

Derived from the last year’s Astra Cup race car that competed in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship, the EXTREME is the street-legal race sibling to the current Astra VXR, which in standard form already produces 280PS and 400Nm of torque.

But shorn of weight, thanks to liberal use of high-quality carbon components, the EXTREME’s natural environment will be the race track. An integrated safety structure, racing seats and six-point safety belts drives home the point still further.

The EXTREME’s timing couldn’t be better, either, since 2014 marks ten years since the VXR brand was launched in 2004. The Astra VXR is now the best-selling VXR and the UK remains the largest market in Europe for Vauxhall and Opel’s highest powered models.

More information about the Astra VXR EXTREME will follow next month.