The Top gear Star In A Reasonably Priced Car, Vauxhall Astra is on eBay to raise money for the BEN Charity.

• BBC Top Gear’s Reasonably Priced Vauxhall Astra back up for auction to raise money for BEN
• 2013 Astra driven by Will Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch
• New eBay auction opening today: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/231913252015

The Vauxhall Astra used in the last series of BBC’s Top Gear as their Reasonably Priced Car is up back for sale to raise money for the automotive support network BEN.

The 2013 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 was driven by a host of celebrities including Tom Hiddleston, Jack Whitehall and Steven Tyler. The car, donated by Vauxhall Motors, was initially offered for auction late last year, but with the original sale now fallen through, the way is clear for one lucky Top Gear fan to bid for the vehicle on eBay as well as contribute to a worthy cause.

BEN is committed to making positive differences to the lives of people within the automotive industry and their dependents. The organisation offers a wide range of free and confidential information, advice and Support Services, along with the provision of residential, nursing and specialist care services at multiple care centres around the UK.

David Main, Chief Executive at BEN said: “It is a shame the original sale fell through, but this of course does mean another chance for a Top Gear fan to get their hands on a piece of the show’s history, after all this was the last car to be used in the show’s previous format.”

He added: “Who knows, perhaps Chris Evans or Matt Le Blanc may fancy bidding on it themselves?!”

With an estimated 350 million views in 170 different countries per week, the 2013 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 was initiated with a star-studded barbeque, featuring celebrities including comedians Jimmy Carr and Warwick Davis, and singers Brian Johnson and Joss Stone. Celebrities such as Olly Murs, who topped the leader board, Margot Robbie, Ron Howard and James Blunt all thrashed it around the Top Gear Test Track at Dunsfold Park, Surrey.

The five-door Power Red 1.6-litre 115bhp Vauxhall Astra Tech Line will be auction on eBay, from today for 2 weeks until 28^th April, with a reserve of £10,000 - all proceeds from the sale will be donated to BEN.

The spec:

• Mileage – 2,908
• 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels
• Sat-nav system with seven-inch colour monitor
• Three-spoke leather-covered sports steering wheel
• Multi-function trip computer
• USB connection with iPod control
• Mobile phone system with Bluetooth
• Digital radio with six premium speakers
• Chrome-effect exterior side window surround
• Front Corbeau Sprint Racing seats with 5 point safety belt harness and full roll-cage

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bidders should be aware that the airbags have all been disabled making room for the roll-cage.  To re-instate the airbags would involve removing the roll-cage and seating.  So, in its current state, the car is not type-approved and should not be driven on the road.  The Vauxhall Technical Team will work with the successful bidder at handover to fully explain how the vehicle has been adapted. Please be aware converting the vehicle back into use on the public highway would incur significant cost.

Lotus dealership offers potential customers the chance to test their new car on the Lotus test track at Hethal.

• Hexagon, London’s official Lotus dealer, now offers potential buyers the chance to test a new Lotus on the legendary Hethel track
• Hexagon sells the full range of Lotus models, from Elise and Exige to Evora, at two central London locations
• This announcement is the latest step in a historic relationship between Hexagon and Lotus, which stretches back to 1964
• As well as new Lotus models, Hexagon sells the finest classic and modern classic cars.

Hexagon, London’s official Lotus dealer, is offering potential buyers the test drive of a lifetime, with the chance to push the limits of a new Lotus on the legendary track at Lotus’ Hethel HQ in Norfolk.

Customers will be given a tour of the Lotus facility, seeing the attention-to-detail that goes into all Lotus models firsthand, before being let loose on the famous 2.2-mile track –where all Lotus road cars and race cars have been developed for the last 50 years – in the model they’re thinking of buying.

Hexagon sells the full range of Lotus cars from two central London locations – East Finchley and South Kensington – making it the only Lotus dealer inside the M25. Buyers can choose from the focused Elise to the flagship high-performance Evora 400.

This announcement is the latest in a long relationship between Hexagon and Lotus. Hexagon was a Lotus dealer from 1964 to 1976, while its East Finchley headquarters, which offers Lotus servicing and aftercare – is also just a stone’s throw from Lotus’ original base in Hornsey, where Colin Chapman and his team built the first models in the ‘50s.

Hexagon chairman Paul Michaels said: “Lotus cars feel completely at home on the track, thanks to their light weight, pin-sharp steering and peerless chassis tuning. That’s why we’re proud to have partnered with Lotus on this ultimate test drive opportunity; anyone thinking of buying a Lotus with us will surely be convinced within a few laps of the famous Hethel track.”

Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc, said: “Hethel is the home of Lotus. Seeing our range of cars being handbuilt by Lotus craftsmen and women and then taking to the challenging Hethel test track to put a car through its paces is an opportunity that just can’t be missed.”

With over 50 years of experience selling the finest road cars from brands such as Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Porsche, Hexagon offers all Lotus customers the very best in sales, service knowledge and aftercare.