31/03/06

Official VXR Device to Tame Astra VXR Power

" Advanced new gadget brings Astra VXR power into line with rivals
" Makes car easier to handle for inexperienced drivers and road testers

Are you VXR enough? After extensive market research, Vauxhall has discovered that a number of people aren't.

In direct response to some media critics who claim the Astra VXR is 'just too powerful' the Luton-based company is announcing a new accessory to tame the output of its 240PS turbo engine.

Taking the form of a fully-branded detachable padded mat, it uses Velcro fasteners to attach itself to the carpet beneath the accelerator pedal. This stops the throttle from being depressed fully and instantly reduces the power output of your car to the lower levels of some rivals.

Under strict testing conditions, Vauxhall engineers discovered that the 0-60mph time of an Astra VXR fitted with the device increased from the normal breathtaking 6.2 seconds to a far more stately 14.06 seconds, while the top speed was reduced from 152mph to just 104mph.

The device, which is available to order at Vauxhall retailers from April 1, has been named the Accelerator Pedal Retarding Intervention Lump.

Vauxhall's VXR development engineer R. Hugh-Shaw said: "We could have made the Astra VXR less powerful in the first place, but we thought we'd let customers decide how much performance they would like by simply choosing the position of the accelerator pedal with their right foot. For anyone who is incapable of doing this, AP-RIL could prove a godsend. If there is sufficient demand, we will consider widening the range with a mat which gives the 6.0-litre Monaro the performance of a two-litre."

AP-RIL is priced at just £104.06, about the same as two tanks of fool.

28/03/06

Thinking of Buying a Car? Have One for Three...

" Vauxhall's 3 Day test drive makes a comeback this weekend
" World's biggest car trial scheme returns after massive success
" Over 50,000 British drivers expected to take part

To truly get the measure of a car, a simple 15-minute spin around the block won't do. That's why Vauxhall is proud to announce the return of its innovative 3 Day Test Drive.

Commencing this weekend (April 1-2) and running for three months, potential buyers will be able to sample a Vauxhall Corsa, Meriva, Tigra, Astra, Astra Sport Hatch, Zafira or Vectra for a full 72 hour period.

The scheme, which was a massive success last year, means you can find out the answers to essential questions such as 'Does the engine perform well on the roads I use every day?', 'Will the baby's pushchair go in the boot?' or 'Will it fit in my garage?'.

Participating Vauxhall retailers will be making nearly 2,000 cars available from the beginning of April until the end of June to cater for the extra demand. By that time, around 50,000 potential buyers are expected to have experienced the quality, style and driving dynamics of the latest Vauxhall range.

Across Europe the 3 Day Test Drive will be taking place in 40 different countries, making it the biggest test drive initiative in the world.

Vauxhall's marketing director Andy Gilson said: "We are truly confident in our range of cars, and want people to experience them in everyday situations. Last year, the programme attracted 48,000 customers to our showrooms and our research showed that a massive 71 percent of test drivers were more positive about Vauxhall as a result. We want drivers to see how one of our models will fit into their lives."

Certain restrictions will obviously apply to the offer, so customers should contact Platinum Vauxhall at Trowbrdige, Frome or Chippenham for more information and to book a drive.

22/03/06

New Corsa to Debut at London Show

" All-new version of best seller to make world premiere at British Motor Show
" Both three and five door versions to be unveiled
" On sale in the autumn

One of the most eagerly anticipated automotive events of 2006 is to take place on 18 July in Europe's most exciting city: London.

Vauxhall has today announced that the all-new Corsa will make its world debut at the British International Motor Show, which takes place between 18-30 July in London's Docklands.

Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall's managing director, said: "The UK is Europe's biggest market for the Corsa by some margin, and it regularly tops the British car sales charts. It was a natural decision to choose the London Motor Show for the unveil of the all-new model. The British public love Corsas, and they'll get to see it first."

The fourth generation of the top-selling Vauxhall model will have stunning styling and an array of innovative technology features. Both three and five-door versions will be on show in London.

Sales of the new Corsa start in the autumn of this year.

08/03/06

Get Ready for Spring with New Car Care Accessories

Vauxhall is bidding a welcome farewell to winter with the launch of a new range of car cleaning products to help owners remove the ravages of bad weather motoring and restore their cars to pristine condition.

A Spring Clean Kit at just £12 contains all the ingredients you will need to give your pride and joy a thorough clean inside and out. The kit contains wash and wax, clear glass foam and cockpit spray, plus a sponge, dust cloth and demister pad - all neatly packaged in a clear plastic bag with carrying handle.

Wheels take a pounding at this time of year, so a Wheel Car Care Kit comprising specially formulated cleaner, tyre care, wheel wipes and a wheel cleaning brush will bring the sparkle back to those expensive alloys. A Summer Car Care Kit is also available to keep bodywork and window glass in tip top condition, and both kits are conveniently packaged in cardboard tubes.

The discerning demands of Vauxhall VXR drivers are also addressed with the launch of a new range of VXR cleaning products. Easily recognisable in red VXR packaging, these products range from brake cleaner and cockpit cleaner, both priced at £5.30 to a full protection wax for bodywork at £12.40.

All these products come from Sonax, the car care experts, and are officially approved for use on all Vauxhall models. They are available from Platinum Vauxhall in Frome, Trowbridge and Chippenham.

28/02/06

Extra Kit for Early Twintop Buyers

" Special incentives for advance orders
" Free alloy wheels and pop-up roll bars worth £500
" Prices start at £16,995, on sale in May

As if the looks of the new Astra TwinTop weren't enough incentive to reach for your cheque book, Vauxhall is offering an extra bonus for buyers who order their cars early.

The latest addition to Vauxhall's model range, complete with its innovative three-piece folding roof mechanism, is now available to order and there's a special extra launch incentive for buyers who choose their car before 31 March.

Even though the TwinTop is already exceptional value with prices starting at just £16,995, Vauxhall is offering free 'Launch Packs' worth £500 to buyers joining the waiting list early.

The TwinTop 1.6 pack includes an upgrade from fixed to automatic pop-up roll over bars. These offer all the protection of the standard fixed hoops but also maintain a smooth, uninterrupted profile with the roof down. Early buyers will also be offered the opportunity to opt for smart 16-inch alloys for no extra cost.

Sport models gain the pop-up roof bars, along with 17-inch twin spoke alloys rather than the standard 16-inchers. Buyers who splash out on the range-topping Design will get an upgrade to 18-inch alloy wheels and a CD auto changer.

But these Launch Packs are only available on orders placed before the end of March, from approved Vauxhall Retailers. The first cars will arrive in dealerships in May, and full pricing details are as follows:

15/02/06

Astra Twintop Prices Raise the Roof

" Priced from just £16,995
" Diesel version available for the first time
" Available to order now, deliveries start late spring

Convertibles with folding metal roofs are more expensive than those with fabric roofs, right? Not if it's the new Astra TwinTop. Vauxhall has announced prices for this stunning new model, and it undercuts all its class rivals to start at just £16,995.

With three models and four engines to choose from, Astra TwinTop offers an exceptional blend of style, driving dynamics and value.

Even at £16,995 the entry level Astra TwinTop 1.6 16v has an equipment tally to make its competitors look less than cool. A power roof, four airbags, alarm, CD player, all-round electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and air conditioning all come as standard. This model also features the innovative 16-inch structure wheel, so you don't need to worry about bumping into the kerb as you admire your reflection in the shop window.

Next up is the Sport model, priced from £17,795, with 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, trip computer, steering wheel mounted audio controls and remote control roof operation. As well as the highly efficient 1.6 16v Twinport, Sport models can be specified with the all-new 1.8 16v VVT 140PS engine and the 1.9CDTi 150PS diesel.

Topping off the range is the Design, available from £18,995. Offering the choice of 1.8 16v VVT, 1.9CDTi 150PS turbodiesel and scorching 2.0 Turbo 200PS engines, this model is sure to cut a dash with 17-inch 10-spoke alloys, sport switch and a sports steering wheel. Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, anti-dazzle rear view mirror, automatic lighting control and a windbreak are also all standard.

Design models feature automatic pop-up roll-over protection bars in place of the static bars on Twin Top and Sport models, making the lines even sleeker without compromising safety.

Customers can specify a range of options including unique 'saddle' leather trim for £750 and Vauxhall's class leading Adaptive Forward Lighting system which is also £750.

Platinum Vauxhall in Frome, Trowbridge and chippenham are now taking orders for Astra TwinTop, with first deliveries expected in late spring - just in time to top up that tan and dust away those winter blues!

On the road prices are as follows:

06/02/06

Irish Racer Secures Second Season with BTCC Front-Runners

VX RACING's 2006 driver line-up has been finalised after the bookies' favourite, Gavin Smith, signed for a second season with the 2005 champions.

Smith will join Tom Chilton and Fabrizio Giovanardi to defend the team's Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship manufacturer's title.

The Irishman is eager get back in the VXR Astra Sport Hatch after finishing the last round on the podium following a very steep learning curve in his debut year. "I'm going to build on last year's progress from the first race," said the 28-year-old. "This season is going to start off good for me at Brands Hatch where I had one of my strongest races last year. I know there's more to come."

Smith measures his success against his fellow VX Racing drivers and knows he is facing a challenge this year with Chilton, the BTCC's prodigal son, and international touring car giant, Giovanardi, as bench marks.

"Having two strong team-mates again this year is great," said Smith, who is unfazed by their pedigree. "Both of them are very successful drivers in their own fields but Yvan and Colin were no walk-overs and I took the competition to them more than once."

VX Racing's team principal Ian Harrison says Smith was always his first choice to complete the team. "I think he's shown he has good speed in the last couple of events," said Harrison. "The consistency of keeping him in the car is good for him and for the team. He's shown he can get on the podium. Now I just need him to start doing it every weekend!"

In 2005 Smith scored two podiums and was regularly in the top six at the end of the season. By then he was matching the lap times of former champion and team-mate Yvan Muller, just one year after he moved up from the SEAT Cupra Championship.

"It's a different sort of racing," said Smith, who lives with his wife, Samantha, in Dublin. "I went from having one mechanic to having seven and it's just go-go-go from Saturday morning all the way through. It was a learning experience - a real eye opener.

"VX Racing definitely is the best team in British Touring Cars. It's the place I wanted to be last year and this year is no different. The team know me and how I work and I know them. I'm going to hit the ground running."

Background notes

Giovanardi is one of the most successful touring car drivers of all time, with seven titles to his name including the Italian and European Touring Car Championships. Last year he was just four points behind Andy Priaulx going into the final World Touring Car Championship round but a suspension failure robbed him of the chance to become the inaugural champion.

Chilton has made a big impression on the British Touring Car Championship since becoming the youngest driver to compete in 2002 at 17-years-old. He went on to become the youngest race-winner two years later. Last year he scored four BTCC victories, placing him fifth overall.

The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch was introduced in 2005. Prepared by Triple Eight Race Engineering the car is front-wheel drive with a 2.0-litre 16-valve engine. Last year the car won eight races and scored a further 16 podiums.

VX Racing has dominated the BTCC since 2001 when it won the Manufacturers' and Team Championships as well as the drivers' title with Jason Plato. Amazingly, the team managed to repeat this feat three times, twice with James Thompson and once with Yvan Muller. This record-breaking run, which saw VX Racing become the first team to achieve the triple-triple, came to an end in 2005 when Matt Neal won the Drivers' Championship and Team Halfords won the Team title. VX Racing maintained its hold on the manufacturer's title.

01/02/06

Look Sharp and Save Money with VXR Styling Packs

If the dynamic styling of Vauxhall's VXR range inspires you, but your bank manager does not share your enthusiasm, here is some good New Year news from the manufacturer's accessories store.

Owners of Astra Sport Hatch and five door models can now transform the exterior of their cars with VXR styling packs - and make a substantial saving on the cost of buying all the items in these packs individually.

Available from participating Vauxhall retailers, the pack consists of a front lower spoiler, side sills, rear lower spoiler and roof spoiler. Retailing at £975 for the Astra Sport Hatch and £1080 for the five door, the prices include painting to body colour and fitting.

Similar cost savings for Corsa three and five door owners are also available on the striking Irmscher iS1 styling kit. Retailing at £945, this kit comprises a front lower spoiler, cross hatch grille with 'i' logo, roof spoiler, sports silencer with twin round chromed tailpipes and an iS1 badge for the tailgate. The price includes painting and fitting and offers Corsa owners a saving of £240.

Vauxhall car drivers can also take advantage of a special alloy wheels offer currently available from Irmscher, the styling specialists. Massive discounts of 40 per cent are now on offer on selected alloy wheels specially designed by Irmscher to complement the exterior styling of Vauxhall models.

Astra owners can enhance the rear end styling of five door Hatchback, Sport Hatch and Estate models with a new trapezoidal exhaust silencer similar to the design fitted as standard to the Astra Sport Hatch VXR. Eight part numbers are available to suit 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines, plus 1.7 and 1.9 diesel variants.

30/01/06

Vauxhall Introduces Instant Insurance for Impulse Buyers

" E-mail cover notes allow buyers to take car home straight away
" Free seven-day cover with new and used cars from Vauxhall retailers
" Ten per-cent discount on full 12-months cover

If you see a pair of shoes you want in a shop window, you can pop in and take them home with you in minutes. Even that new suit can be bought off the peg and be ready to wear the same day. But if you spot a new car in a showroom, you might have to wait for a week for all the paperwork to arrive in the post before you are legally allowed to drive it home.

Vauxhall has found a neat way around the problem by offering 'instant' insurance at the retailer, which allows customers to take their new pride and joy home on the same day - even at weekends.

People who buy a new or used car from Vauxhall retailers will be offered free 'instant' comprehensive motor insurance cover for seven days. They will then be invited to take up a highly-competitive quote from Vauxhall Insurance for a full 12 months cover.

Called 'Phone-and-Go', the scheme allows customers the ability to drive away their Vauxhall on the same day as agreeing to buy the car. Once accepted, an insurance cover note is e-mailed directly to the Vauxhall retailer, allowing the newly-purchased car to be taxed and made road legal almost instantly.

The offer of a free insurance period complements Vauxhall's free insurance offer currently available on several cars in the Astra and Corsa ranges.

Andy Jones, Vauxhall's Marketing Programmes Manager commented: "We aim to provide a great range of cars and additional services that improve the overall car-buying experience for our customers. With more than 200 participating Vauxhall retailers across the UK supporting the new seven-day motor insurance offer, we are confident that it will be a big hit with our customers and further enhance the car-buying process.

Mr Jones added: "Competitive motor insurance from Vauxhall is focused on Vauxhall cars but is available to owners of most makes and models. Vauxhall is able to compete with the major insurance providers on price and can offer different approaches to buying motor cover to suit each customer's buying requirement via the conventional telesales route, the internet or through the dealership channel."

Vauxhall understands the value of insurance to customers and a year's free cover is provided on selected models in the range, including the top-selling Corsa and Astra. Free insurance customers are also offered a 15 percent discount on the premium for a household's second car.

For more information on Vauxhall Insurance, call 0870 024 0145 or log onto www.vauxhall.co.uk/insurance. A 10 percent discount is currently available online.

30/01/06

New Engine to Make Vectra Leaner, Meaner and Cleaner

" New lightweight 140PS 1.8-litre now available in Vectra and Signum
" Offers improvements in economy, flexibility, refinement and performance
" Lower emissions bring tax savings of up to £566 for company car drivers

After making its debut in the Zafira late last year, Vauxhall's sophisticated new 1.8-litre petrol engine is now available in the New Vectra and New Signum. The powerplant features a state-of-the-art Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system, bringing a host of improvements compared to the outgoing 1.8-litre model.

Power is boosted from 122PS to 140PS, cutting the 0-60 time from 10.5 to 9.9 seconds and raising the top speed by 5mph to 131mph for the Vectra hatch. But despite these improvements, fuel consumption is actually reduced by an average of 3 percent, with the new engine achieving 39.2mpg on the combined cycle.

More importantly from a company driver's perspective, the new more efficient engine results in significant benefit-in-kind tax band reductions. The SRi hatchback's emissions drop from 182g/km to 173g/km, while non-SRi models drop from 175 to 173g/km. This is enough to drop the SRi by two percentage bands to 21 percent.

For a 40 percent taxpayer, this saving amounts to £566 over three years for the new SRi 1.8 VVT compared to the existing SRi 1.8 16v. The new Signum 1.8 VVT also offers tax savings against the previous 1.8i model, with a 40 percent tax payer saving £406 over the same period.

This has been made possible by using advanced valve and cam phasing technology, which makes sure the engine is operating at its most efficient. With 90 percent of the 175Nm maximum torque available between 2200 and 6200rpm the car feels lively and responsive even at lower engine speeds, making everyday driving more relaxed with less need to change gear and work the engine.

Despite additional features such as VVT, engineers succeeded in making the new engine three percent lighter than the previous version while achieving increased stiffness and structural strength. This all brings improvements in refinement and efficiency with no compromises to the driving dynamics.

Prices start at £14,750 for the 1.8 Vectra Exclusiv hatchback, £15,750 for the Estate and £17,995 for the Signum Exclusiv.

A full technical specification table follows:

23/01/06

Guard Your Assets this Winter with Vauxhall Protection Pack

Messy carpets, muddy boots, dirty doorsills - it all adds up to a pretty typical picture of winter motoring. So anything that can help to keep your car in good condition must be worth considering, and Vauxhall has come up with a Car Protection Pack that does just that.

For just £99 fully fitted, you can treat your pride and joy to a set of velour carpet mats, a cargo liner and front mud flaps.

Made from hard wearing plastic, the cargo liners are sculptured to the floor of the boot to protect the carpet from muddy boots, dirty clothes and other wet items that can mark the carpet. Raised edges prevent water and mud escaping into the boot. Easy to wipe clean, they save time spent vacuuming the carpet and are easily installed and removed.

Tailored to fit neatly into the foot wells, the velour floor mats help to protect the carpet from grit and mud off your shoes. They have a fixing system on both the driver and passenger side to keep the mats safely in place and stop slippage. The Protection Pack also includes rear passenger mats.

Front mud flaps provide invaluable all-year-round protection for the doorsills and lower edges of the bodywork from stone chips, tar deposits and road grime. They are made of plastic and are contoured to fit neatly around the rear edge of the wheel arches.

These Protection Packs represent a saving of more than 15 per cent on the cost of buying the items separately. They are available for most models in the Vauxhall range, including Agila, Corsa, Astra, Meriva, Zafira, Vectra and Signum. They can be supplied and fitted by Platinum Vauxhall Trowbridge, Chippenham and Frome.

19/01/06

New Vectra Carries Off What Car? Trophy

" New Estate named top load-lugger in prestigious annual awards
" Judges praise cargo-carrying capacity and driving dynamics

Car buyers' bible What Car? has loaded the New Vauxhall Vectra with praise, naming the freshly-facelifted model as its estate car of the year.

Judges at the highly-influential monthly magazine were not just won over by the Vectra's 1,850-litre carrying capacity, which is the largest in its class, but also by the new car's impressive driving dynamics.

Writing in the March issue, the What Car? testers said: "We never had any quibbles with the Vectra's cargo-carrying capacity….. However, it's under the skin where the most impressive changes have taken place. In addition to the cosseting ride of the old car, sharper steering and retuned suspension have transformed the Vectra."

It's praise which will come as welcome relief to Vauxhall's suspension engineers, who went to the trouble and expense of actually tuning the New Vectra's chassis specifically for the UK's unique selection of roads. Rather than being a pan-European compromise, each Vectra destined for the British market is fitted with special suspension and steering parts to make sure it can be fun-to-drive on a bumpy B-road and still be a supremely refined motorway cruiser.

It wasn't just the chassis which drew praise from the judges. They described the 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine - which is chosen by almost 80 percent of all Vectra estate buyers - as "mightily impressive". They said: "There's none of the constant chatter that blights some diesels, with engine noise fading into the background at motorway speeds. This, together with impressive road and wind noise suppression, makes the Vectra an extremely refined and comfortable long-distance cruiser."

The magazine chose the new Exclusiv model as its pick of the Vectra Estate range, with prices starting from £15,750 for the 1.8-litre petrol and £17,050 for the 1.9-litre CDTi diesel. For those who want a little more performance, the Vectra Estate VXR is now on sale. Despite having the same 1,850-litre carrying capacity as the rest of the range, the VXR has a top speed of 158mph, making it the fastest estate car on sale in Britain.

05/01/06

Masterfit Launches Massive New Year Holiday Promotion

As the festive season recedes, many of you will be planning your next holiday on the slopes or in the sunshine, but spare a thought for your car. It too may need some winter cheer to ensure trouble-free motoring at this most testing time of year.

The importance of a thorough service to cope with the rigours of winter motoring should never be ignored, but it is all too easy to turn a blind eye to the conditions outside and blow the budget on that holiday.

Vauxhall MasterFit Centres have come up with a solution to both problems with their biggest ever servicing and repair promotion to ensure that your car receives the attention it deserves - and give your holiday plans for 2006 a valuable boost.

For every £50 Vauxhall owners spend on servicing, repair work or genuine Vauxhall approved replacement parts before 31 March 2006, they are entitled to a holiday voucher to the value of £50. Spend £100 and receive a voucher worth £100 and if the service bill comes to £150 or more, customers will receive a holiday voucher for £150.

"This is a great way of rewarding existing customers for their loyalty," says Vauxhall MasterFit Brand Manager Neil Hunt, "and putting a smile back on the faces of those drivers forced to compromise between their car and their holiday plans."

Whether it is time for a full service, a WinterCare check of your car's cooling system or a new exhaust system, all remedial and repair work qualifies for the Vauxhall MasterFit holiday offer, provided the cost reaches the £50 threshold.

All customers are provided with a Vehicle Condition Report and an all-inclusive quotation before any work is undertaken at Vauxhall MasterFit Centres, which operate longer opening hours than most vehicle servicing outlets in the UK.

No appointment is necessary to receive immediate attention at any MasterFit Centre. All work is carried out by Vauxhall-trained technicians using only genuine approved parts, which come with a full manufacturer's warranty.

The vouchers may be used for air package holidays or cruises available from over 600 ABTA bonded tour operator brochures involving at least two adults, and they are valid for travel any time up to 30 June 2007.

29/12/05

GM in the UK - Building for Success

Proving that the British Motor Industry is still very much alive and kicking, both of GM's Manufacturing operations, at Luton and Ellesmere Port, have smashed previous records for vehicle production.

Ellesmere Port has achieved its highest ever output figures building a staggering 188,763 cars in 2005 - over 20,000 more than the previous record in 2000.

The plant, which is responsible for making the Vauxhall and Opel five-door Astra, earlier this year also celebrated building its 4 millionth vehicle!

Production has followed sales success which saw the Astra hitting the top of the UK chart five times in 2005, in February, April, May, June and November.

And it's not just in the UK that demand is high - 64 per cent of the vehicles produced at Ellesmere will be exported to Europe wearing the Opel badge.

Since the start of production in 1964, Ellesmere Port has been the birthplace of some of the UK's most popular models beginning with the Viva and including the Chevette, Vectra and all five generations of the Astra. It is now one of the largest employers in Cheshire and Wirral employing 3,000 workers with employees working around the clock to meet the demand for Astras.

Ellesmere Port is not the only GM plant setting new production records. In a double whammy for GM in the UK, the Luton plant (formerly known as IBC Vehicles) has also been topping its previous output figures.

The Bedfordshire facility has been producing the multi-award winning Vivaro and its derivatives since the spring of 2001.

This year the plant is on course to produce 90,338 vans, the highest number of Vivaros made since the start of production.

For GM Manufacturing Luton's 2,000 employees, who have been working three shifts day and night to meet requirements, there is no chance of slowing down, as sales of Vauxhall vans in 2005 passed the 50,000 barrier for the first time earlier this month.

Bill Parfitt, Managing Director of GM UK & Ireland, said, "This is a major achievement for us and could not have been accomplished without the hard work and dedication of our workforce. We are proud to be continuing our tradition of manufacturing in the UK so successfully. Both Astra and Vivaro have been delighting customers across Europe - and building them to the highest standards of quality is a challenge the plants meet every day, week in, week out. Next year we will keep building hoping to break more records for both sales and production."

28/12/05

Go Topless - Whatever the Weather!

" Tigra offers year-round fun
" New Exclusiv model in retailers now
" Tigra debuts in Australia and South Africa!

It's always summer somewhere, and while we British are nibbling away at yet more turkey sandwiches and huddling in front of the fire, our cousins in the southern hemisphere are firing up the barbie and trying to find new ways to stay cool in the mid-summer heat.

Such is the broad appeal of New Tigra, with its stylish design and excellent driving dynamics, that the baby coupe-cabriolet has just gone on sale in both sun-drenched South Africa, as an Opel, and Australia, where it's badged as a Holden.

Our Aussie friends get only one version of Tigra, however, and that's the gutsiest
1.8-litre petrol variant. Here in the UK, with more congested roads and fewer wide open spaces, Vauxhall offers a greater choice of models, including a frugal diesel. The range has now been further bolstered by the addition of a new 'Exclusiv' Special Edition, which offers unrivalled levels of style, equipment and value for money.

While we in the UK are unlikely to see temperatures getting anywhere near double figures until the spring, the Tigra Exclusiv is a car you'll want to be seen in whatever the weather. That's no problem, as like all Tigras the new addition is a warm and snug coupe with the roof up, or in just 20 seconds can be switched into convertible mode - just the thing if you want a bracing winter drive to clear your mind after the Christmas excesses. So while Australian and South African Tigra owners are topping up their tans in the searing summer heat, you can still enjoy the thrills of winter wind-in-the hair motoring, especially thanks to the Exclusiv's heated leather sports seats.

Other standard kit includes air conditioning, 17-inch five-spoke sports alloy wheels, a CD30 stereo radio CD with MP3 capability, a remote control ultrasonic security alarm, leather sports steering wheel, alloy trimmed pedals, gearknob and handbrake grip, front fog lights and a smart Star Silver targa roof hoop.

Even better, the price is no different to that of the Tigra Sport. That means the Exclusiv kicks off at £14,485 for the 1.4i Sport, rising to £15,695 for either the 1.8i Sport or 1.3 CDTi.

It's not just the sunshine we have to look forward to in the spring either. The Tigra will get a big brother when the Astra TwinTop arrives in April, offering coupe style, drop-top looks and space for four. Like the Tigra, it promises to keep drivers looking cool, whatever the weather.

23/12/05

Santa Gives Zafira an Express Delivery!

" Vauxhall Zafira voted People Carrier of the Year by The Daily Express
" Engines and practicality praised
" Current best-seller in segment

A last-minute present has made an appearance underneath Vauxhall's Christmas tree, thanks to an Express delivery!

New Zafira has been crowned 'People Carrier of the Year' in The Daily Express's 2005 Car of the Year Awards, with judges praising the dynamic design, driving excitement and unrivalled practicality that define the model.

"When it first arrived in 1999, the Vauxhall Zafira won some big fans thanks to its seating system," said the Express's Motoring Editor, Nat Barnes. "New Zafira has the same seating system, but an improved interior and more refined on-road manners make it better than ever. Excellent engines, especially the diesels, make it a strong family package."

The award comes as New Zafira leads its segment, outselling all of its rivals so far in December. Over 40,000 Zafiras were sold in 2005, while the new VXR model - the fastest MPV ever - has just arrived at retailers, adding a whole new dimension to the line-up.

Richard Hughes, Group Marketing Manger said: "The award is yet another example of New Zafira's broad-ranging appeal winning recognition, and proves that Vauxhall is the perfect choice for family motorists. With a great range, a five-star Euro NCAP rating and a continual emphasis on dynamic design and driving excitement, we're very excited about New Zafira and are looking forward to building on its success in 2006."

23/12/05

Platinum Vauxhall Supplies S&B Training Fleet

Renrod Ltd (owner of the Platinum group of dealerships) is delighted to have supplied a local motor vehicle college with a fleet of brand new Vauxhalls.

At the beginning of December, Platinum Vauxhall in Frome supplied Bristol based S&B Training Ltd with 8 Vauxhall Astra SXi estates, in silver with 1.7 diesel engines. S & B Training specializes in training apprentices for many disciplines within the motor industry including vehicle repairs, body and paint repairs, management skills and parts distribution.

Developed in partnership with S&B Training, Renrod Ltd run a unique apprenticeship scheme, which involves providing apprentice training for the majority of the group. S&B also maintains a portfolio of national contracts, where apprentices from all over the country visit Bristol for their training.

Jon Bush, Sales Manager for Platinum Vauxhall in Frome said, "We're delighted to have been able to assist S&B Training who provide our entire apprentice training for each of the Platinum dealerships. We have an excellent relationship with the staff at S&B Training and we are pleased to be able to do reciprocal business with them."

Jon Winter, Chief Executive for S&B Training Ltd said, "We are delighted with our new fleet of Astra Estates from Platinum Vauxhall. With our consultants regularly visiting trainees in their place of work, S & B Training required a fleet of vehicles suitable for the task and consistent with the company's corporate image. The Vauxhall Astra fitted the bill perfectly, being a small estate that features benefits such as excellent fuel economy, high levels of driver safety, ample storage space, reliability and ease of maintenance. They are perfect for our requirements and we are especially pleased to be able to source them one of our own clients. "

To find out how Platinum Vauxhall might be able to assist with your company's vehicle requirements, please visit www.platinumvauxhall.co.uk. For S&B Training, please visit www.sandbtraining.co.uk

08/12/05

New Sights and Sounds from Vauxhall

Vauxhall has added a number of new audio and satellite navigation systems to its accessory range to enable owners to upgrade their cars and vans with the latest in-car entertainment and route guidance.

At the top of the wish list for car audio fans is the VDO-Dayton CD2604MP3X, a really stylish looking fascia unit with maximum street cred and performance. This CD player and MP3 drive features a white/blue fine dot matrix display, plus sound pre-sets and theatre sound.

At the other end of the scale is the CD1204, a high value entry level CD player and RDS tuner. It has a multi-colour LCD display and bass boost system. A more sophisticated new system is the CD2104, a CD player and RDS tuner with orange display, sound presets and four channel 2V pre-amp out.

Other new additions to Vauxhall's range are the CD2304MP3, a CD and MP3 player with white LCD display, sound presets and pre-amp out, and the CD5405MP3X/78CC, a CD MP3 player. Prices for the latest in Vauxhall in-car entertainment start at £80.

Three new satellite navigation systems are launched to upgrade the Vauxhall range of car and van accessories. The VDO-Dayton MS4400 navigation radio features an MP3 CD player, dual RDS tuner, fine scale variable colour display and C-IQ Intelligent Content on Demand.

A new unit, the MS5600, is introduced to replace the existing MS5400, while the MS5500 range is superseded by the MS5700. These two systems offer full colour GPS navigation, C-IQ Intelligent Content, Intelligent pictograph and voice guidance, plus scrolling map/split screen display.

Prices of these upgraded systems start at £699. Details of the complete range of audio and route guidance systems are available from Vauxhall retailers or on the Vauxhall accessories website at www.vauxhall.co.uk/accessories.

06/12/05

Vauxhall Sales Rocket to Number One!

· Vauxhall tops in UK car sales chart for November
· Astra, Vectra and Combo best-sellers in class
· Van sales already pass 2004 total

It wasn't just the fireworks which rocketed skywards in November; figures just released show that Vauxhall sales shot past its main rival to become the best selling car brand in the UK for the third time this year with a market share of 13.9 percent.

Fuelled by launches of exciting cars including the New Vectra and New Zafira, Vauxhall sales raced upwards last month, with 22,056 buyers choosing to swap their 'banger' for a new 'sparkler' from the Vauxhall range. That was 2,172 more than its nearest rival and a six percent rise from Vauxhall's November 2004 display.

Astra was the brightest star, taking the overall number one UK sales spot for the month. Registrations were up by 10.3 percent to 8,138 compared to November 2004, and demand for all models remains exceptionally strong. The stylish Sport Hatch is proving particularly popular with private buyers (a massive 30 percent chose this model), while fleet buyers especially continue to be wowed by the super-efficient CDTi diesels. The Ellesmere Port plant which builds Astra in the UK is working flat out to meet customer orders, and the waiting list for the VXR model stretches until next spring!

Corsa, Tigra and New Zafira all had strong months, with all proving especially attractive to private retail buyers. But it was the highly-acclaimed New Vectra which really caused a stir by snatching the number one spot in its sector, comfortably overtaking two newly-launched German rivals. Sporty SRi versions are proving to be the top sellers, showing that buyers are enthusiastic drivers who will really appreciate the new UK-specific chassis set up.

And it's not just the Vauxhall car range which has proved such a hit with buyers. Vauxhall has already sold more vans in 2005 than it did in the whole of 2004; the Combo van comfortably topped its segment chart and Griffin-badged LCVs increased market share from 15.7 to 16.6 percent for the month.


Vauxhall's managing director Bill Parfitt said: "We've worked hard to make sure that our latest range of cars and vans are really stylish and great to drive and the November sales success proves we are clearly hitting the right spot. With new VXR models only just arriving in showrooms and plenty of exciting new products due in 2006, there's plenty for us to look forward too - and for rivals to worry about! "

02/12/05

Vauxhall Signs Three-Year Agreement with Triple Eight Race Engineering

2 December 2005 . . . / VX Racing announced today that it has reached a new three-year deal with Triple Eight Race Engineering to continue to run its motorsport programme.

The British car marque and Banbury-based Triple Eight Race Engineering have been technical partners in UK motorsport since 1996, sharing Vauxhall's unprecedented success in the British Touring Car Championship. The BTCC is Britain's premier motor racing series. Featuring cars that look like their showroom counterparts, BTCC races are shown on terrestrial and satellite television, reaching millions of viewers.

Vauxhall won the drivers', teams' and manufacturers' titles for four consecutive years in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. This year, VX Racing clinched the BTCC manufacturers' title for a fifth year in a row in the final meeting of the season with the new Astra Sport Hatch, which made its debut this year.

On announcing the new three-year deal, Stuart Harris, VX Racing Manager, Vauxhall, said: "We are delighted to have secured the services of Triple Eight Race Engineering, who we consider to be the best in the motorsport industry. Together over the past five years we have achieved great success and we look forward to building on our winning relationship over the next three years."

Ian Harrison, Managing Director, Triple Eight Race Engineering, commented: "We have a winning partnership with Vauxhall and we are going to work hard to take VX Racing to more BTCC race victories and championship titles in the next three years."

VX Racing recently announced the new driver line-up of Fabrizio Giovanardi and Tom Chilton for the 2006 season.

29/11/05

Boots Opts for Solus Vauxhall Agreement in New Deal Negotiated by GE Fleet Services

" New Boots three year solus deal with Vauxhall for essential company car users
" Vauxhall also a preferred supplier to company car drivers
" Unique maintenance package underwrites all SMR costs
" Entire arrangement negotiated for Boots by GE Fleet Services

Vauxhall Motors has been chosen by Boots Group plc as the solus supplier of its essential user company cars in a deal negotiated by GE Commercial Finance, Fleet Services.

The manufacturer will now exclusively supply the 250-strong essential car user fleet with diesel vehicles drawn from across its model range from Corsa to Zafira.

In addition, Boots has also reduced the number of suppliers to its 800-strong user chooser fleet from 15 to six, with Vauxhall among these preferred sources.

For the first time in the corporate sector, Vauxhall is also introducing a planned fleet maintenancepackage that underwrites all servicing, maintenance and repair costs to provide Boots with known SMR costs over the three-year period of the contract.

The new fleet policy has been drawn up in conjunction with global vehicle leasing and fleet management specialist, GE Fleet Services, which carried out a Key Solutions consultative study of the Boots fleet designed to reduce costs while improving operational efficiency and driver choice. GE Fleet Services will also be funding the vehicles through a special hybrid lease product.

Sarah Hall, Contracts Manager, Business Services at Boots said: "The aim of this exercise was to reduce costs while improving operational efficiency and driver choice. Working closely with GE Fleet Services and Vauxhall, we have achieved this successfully.

"We wanted a range of vehicles for our essential user fleet which met our criteria of driver desirability, safety and competitive but with fixed maintenance costs. Vauxhall fitted the bill, and had the flexibility to offer us the new, fixed cost maintenance package."

Maurice Howkins, Vauxhall and Saab Fleet Sales Director, UK and Ireland, said the new agreement with Boots was testimony to the desirability and versatility of the Vauxhall model range.

"We are delighted to be working with such a respected high street brand as Boots and look forward to meeting their vehicle needs for many years to come. The introduction of the planned maintenance package is a first for us in the fleet market and gives the customer peace of mind over the life of the contract."

Gareth Smith, Strategic Account Manager at GE Commercial Finance Fleet Services, said: "The Key Solutions consultancy exercise that we carried out was very comprehensive, and we are pleased that such a successful outcome has been produced by working alongside the Boots and Vauxhall teams.
We believe that this is an excellent fleet solution."

Key Solutions is designed to improve processes, deliver better services, increase productivity and reduce costs. It has delivered savings of between 7-22 per cent for 230 UK fleets since its launch three years ago.

25/11/05

VX Racing Confirms 2006 BTCC Campaign and Announces All-New Driver Line-Up

26 NOVEMBER 2005…/ VX Racing has confirmed today its participation in the 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, an unrivalled eighteenth consecutive year that the Luton-based manufacturer has competed in the series.

Also announced is the all-new driver line-up for the 2006 campaign, with WTCC star Fabrizio Giovanardi and current BTCC hot property Tom Chilton joining the five times manufacturer- winning team.

After starting his career in single-seaters, Giovanardi has been a touring car driver for the past 14 years. With previous championship titles in Italian Super Touriing, European Super Touring and ETCC under his belt, the 38-year-old Italian joins VX Racing having just completed a successful WTCC season with Alfa Romeo, finishing third in the championship, having achieved four race wins and eight podium finishes.

Giovanardi said: "For sure I'm really excited about joining VX Racing. Personally, I think they are the best team in the UK series. James Thompson, my team-mate at Alfa Romeo in the world touring cars, who used to drive for VX Racing, has also told me good things about the team.

"I think next season will be good, it will be an experience and also a challenge. It will be difficult for me at first because, other than Silverstone and Donington, I don't know many of the British circuits. But I am a professional driver and I can learn quickly. "I'm feeling confident and although it is a new series for me, it is still touring cars and I have raced against top drivers Matt Neal and Jason Plato before.

"I want to win with VX Racing and I want to do my best for the team. I am going to put a lot of effort in and give my best to help Vauxhall win the championship."

From the beginning of his touring car career 20-year-old Tom Chilton set new records in BTCC history. On his race debut in 2002, in an ex-works Vauxhall Astra Coupe, Tom was the youngest driver to line up on the grid. And on 10th May 2004, at just 19-years-old, Tom became the youngest ever race winner in the series, and has since gone on to achieve podium success with Honda.

Chilton said: "Its fantastic joining VX Racing. My first drive in the touring cars was in a Vauxhall so I'm looking forward to driving the Astra Sport Hatch.

"Ian Harrison (team principal) is a great bloke and he has a good set of guys at the team. I'm really pleased to have Fabrizio as my team-mate as I think he's a good driver, one of the best. I'm looking forward to working with him to get a good comparison of how I'm doing."

On announcing the new signings, Stuart Harris, VX Racing Manager, Vauxhall, said: "We are really pleased to have Fabrizio and Tom on board at VX Racing. They form an exciting and competitive line-up for the 2006 season.

"Fabrizio brings a wealth of experience with him to the team and we are looking forward to working with him. Tom is still young, but as we have already seen in BTCC, he can deliver results."

Vauxhall will continue with the Astra Sport Hatch for the 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. The car won eight BTCC races in 2005, in its debut season.

24/11/05

Corsas Go into Hiding...On Your Desktop

" New computer game marks return of Corsa 'Hide and Seek' ad campaign
" City breaks in Budapest up for grabs
" Find out more on www.vauxhall.co.uk or www.corsaseek.co.uk

The Vauxhall Corsa puts the fun back into driving….and it also puts it back into your Friday afternoon, when all the work is done and you're frantically trying to look busy in front of your boss.

To mark the return of the award-winning 'Hide and Seek' Vauxhall Corsa ad campaign, Vauxhall has developed its very own computer game, where you can play hide and seek with Corsas on your desktop, with a fabulous city break up for grabs for the highest scorers.

Log on to www.corsaseek.co.uk, and you can choose your favourite Corsa from the all-new colour range and get ready to race around the city, complete with such hazards as gypsy camps, burning tyres, cinemas and even the A-Team van, reuniting the 12 hidden Corsa friends before the clock runs out.

Reunite five or more of the Child-like Corsas and entrants will be given the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a trip for four adults to the historic and romantic city of Budapest.

The move comes as dealers take delivery of the first Corsa SXi+ models, which are guaranteed to generate just as much excitement. Based on the SXi, the SXi+ cars come with 15-inch alloys, sports seats and a roof spoiler as standard, with only a £50 price premium.

More information on the SXI+, along with the rest of the Corsa range, can be found at
www.vauxhall.co.uk.

24/11/05

Astra Wins ACFO Car of the Year Award

" Fourth success this year for New Astra
" Astra praised for driver appeal and whole-life running costs
" Dynamic style and driving excitement appeal to user choosers

The Vauxhall Astra has chalked up its fourth fleet awards success of the year by claiming the honour of 2005 Car of the Year from the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO).

The Astra topped its class in this year's ACFO Fleet Car and Vans of the Year Awards, marking a return to top spot for Vauxhall. The award is seen as clear indication that fleets are downsizing to more fuel efficient, CO2 -friendly company cars, said ACFO.

Prior to the last year's Car of the Year Award only upper medium sector models - the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Cavalier and Vectra and Volkswagen Passat - had been recognised by fleet operators in the 22-year history of the ACFO awards.

The award was voted for by ACFO members who recognised the Astra's operational performance, whole-life costs and driver appeal.

The ACFO Car of the Year Award follows success for Astra at this year's Fleet Excellence Awards where it was voted New Fleet Car of the Year, and at the Fleet News Awards where it was voted Best Lower Medium Car. And in the Fleet World Honours in June, Astra won the accolade for Best Fleet Car.

ACFO chairman Tony Leigh said: 'By voting for a lower medium sector model as ACFO Car of the Year for the second year in succession fleet operators are sending a clear message to the Government that companies are looking to operate the most environmentally-friendly vehicles available subject to them being fit-for-purpose and offering excellent whole-life costs.

'The fact that a lower medium sector model has won the Car of the Year Award for the second consecutive year highlights that fleet operators are very aware of the Government's desire to encourage the uptake of environmentally-friendly models through its company car taxation strategy.'

However, fleet operators did not just vote for the Astra based on 'green' and benefit-in-kind issues, but also on a string of other factors fundamental in the fleet vehicle decision-making process.

Tony Leigh explained: 'Our members are continually evaluating vehicles and use their expertise to assess cars and vans against a wide range of real-life criteria including whole-life costs, operational performance, and suitability for the business use. In addition to these fleet appeal factors, driver appeal is also critical and the Astra clearly delivers this. The whole support package from the manufacturers and their dealers are also very important factors.'

Vauxhall fleet sales director Maurice Howkins said: 'We are absolutely delighted to receive this award for the Astra as it has been voted for by the most demanding customers in the UK - fleet decision-makers.

"We have made great strides in ensuring the Astra appeals to both fleet decision-makers and company car drivers alike.

"Not only does Astra have enviable wholelife operating costs across a wide range of bodystyles and engines, but it truly appeals to the end user through its dynamic style and driving excitement, all combined with low benefit-in-kind tax bills. We would like to thank all those fleet operators who have voted for Astra to win this prestigious award,' he said.

16/11/05

Vauxhall Carves a New Niche with Meriva VXR

" World's first hot mini-MPV to debut at Essen Motor Show
" Powered by new 180PS turbo 1.6-litre engine with six-speed gearbox
" FlexSpace interior, 138mph top speed, 0-60 in around 8.0 seconds

Just when the motoring world thought there were no niches left, Vauxhall have found one - and it's guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of anyone who likes their cars fast, fun and more than a little cheeky.

The Meriva has been given the VXR treatment to create the world's first performance mini-MPV - and one of the most-talked about cars of the year. As enthusiasts have come to expect from the VXR brand, the Meriva hasn't just been given a few tweaks and a tuned engine - Vauxhall has gone the whole hog to make sure that the smallest VXR will be able to hold its own against any modern hot hatchback, and might even be able to give a few supercar drivers a shock.

Under the bonnet is an all-new 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine which produces an impressive 180PS, making it easily the most powerful car in the class. Driving the front wheels through a six-speed close ratio gearbox, it's enough to take the Meriva from
0-60 mph in around eight seconds and on to a top speed of nearly 140mph.

To cope with the extra power, the chassis has been thoroughly reworked to give the driving dynamics expected of a car carrying the VXR badge on its boot. The exterior styling has been upgraded with reprofiled front and rear bumpers which clearly link the newest VXR to style started with the Meriva's big brothers - the VXR Astra, Zafira and Vectra models. The Meriva's smart 17-inch alloy wheels are in the now-familiar six-spoke VXR design too.

Inside, the Meriva VXR retains all the practicality of the acclaimed FlexSpace seating system, but there is a twist which has never been seen before in a mini-MPV. Special Recaro seats hold the occupants, and VXR logos adorn the gearlever, instruments and steering wheel.

The high-performance version of the versatile five-seater will make its debut at the Essen Motor Show later this month (25 November) and will go on sale in the UK alongside other facelifted Meriva models in February 2006. Prices will be announced nearer the on-sale date.

15/11/05

Parking Problems Solved with New Vauxhall Accessory

Reversing in a busy car park is one of the many challenges drivers face today. It is not just about judging distance - there are important safety issues too. What if you have not spotted a child trying to pass behind you as you select reverse gear?

Rear parking distance sensors are an option on many new models, but not if you own a used car. Now Vauxhall has come to the rescue with a new accessory that offers the neatest of solutions and fantastic value for money.

Activated automatically as soon as reverse gear is engaged, the Vauxhall Rear Parking Distance Sensor works on the sonic depth finder principle. Two sensors emit ultrasonic impulses, which bounce off everyday objects or obstructions behind the car and reflect back to the sensors.

Drivers are notified by a beeping sound that becomes more rapid until a continuous sound is heard when the vehicle is 30 cm away from the object. Because the device is positioned behind the rear number plate with the sensors at either end, there is no need to remove the rear bumper.

Available from participating Vauxhall retailers throughout the country, this accessory can be supplied and fitted for just £129.99.

Vauxhall also offers a range of car alarms, which can be fitted as an aftermarket accessory by any Vauxhall retailer. With over two million reported cases of vehicle-related theft in England and Wales in 2003 - 04, it makes sense to get an alarm professionally fitted.

Designed and manufactured by MetaSystem specifically for Vauxhall models, the range features the latest ultrasonic sensor technology and the three systems are Thatcham compliant.

Suitable for Agila and Corsa models without remote central locking, the MVX1 system offers a Thatcham Category 2 to 1 alarm upgrade where the car is already fitted with a Category 2 immobiliser.

The MVX2 offers an alternative Category 2 to 1 alarm upgrade operated by the existing Vauxhall remote control, and covers Agila, Corsa, Tigra, Astra G, and Combo, Vivaro and Movano vans. The MVX3 is a Category 2 to 1 alarm upgrade for current Astra and Zafira models.

14/11/05

Antara Starts Winning Even Before it's Launched!

" Autocar names Antara GTC 'Concept of the Year'
" Vauxhall's dynamic design language wins praise

Vauxhall's Antara GTC (Gran Turismo Crossover) concept vehicle has already won an award, even though its production version won't arrive in showrooms until late 2006.

The striking Frankfurt Show car won the prestigious 'Concept of the Year' title in this year's Autocar awards. The annual ceremony, hosted by Britain's longest-running car magazine, recognises the very best in the global car industry, and for Antara GTC to win silverware almost a full year before its production launch shows that Vauxhall is thinking in the right direction with the all-new crossover vehicle.

Autocar's editor Rob Aherne said: "The Antara has raised the bar in terms of Vauxhall's concept quality."

Aherne also praised Vauxhall's dynamic design, saying: "Vauxhall are back on track with their design direction. There's no New Edge design or Flame Surfacing at their design centre, just a bunch of professionals designing some of the most attractive family cars of the moment."

Accepting the honour, GM Europe's Executive Director of Design Bryan Nesbitt said: "It's quite rewarding to receive this honour from such a prestigious and established motoring magazine. It's a tribute to the hard work of our design team whose creativity and execution in creating some of the most stylish and dynamic designs for both current and future products has been recognised at such an influential level."

The Antara GTC concept wowed crowds at September's Frankfurt Motor Show with its strikingly-styled body and unique interior.

Practicality played a key part in Antara GTC's design. The three-door body is accessed through clever door handles, which glide out of the door electronically when the remote locking is activated. They conceal a spacious four-seat cabin, with large glass areas to give a feeling of space. There's plenty of room to get comfortable, too, thanks to the innovative sliding seats. Unlike conventional items, which are mounted on a pair of runners, Antara GTC's front seats each have their own monorail to slide fore and aft on, giving more comfortable legroom for rear seat passengers. They also slide forward at the touch of a button to allow rear seat access.

The lack of a B-pillar allows easy access to the rear without compromising that sleek sloping roofline, while the tailgate is a work of art. Like the Insignia concept car previewed at the 2003 Frankfurt Show, it uses a 'pantograph' style door, which is counterbalanced rather than based on space-consuming hydraulics. This means it takes up far less space both inside and outside the car, lifting up and over the roof rather than outward like a conventional rear door. The back seats can be folded away completely from the rear, producing a completely flat load floor and allowing up to 2,400-litres of usable loadspace.

It is also a fully operational prototype, powered by a 212PS version of Vauxhall's acclaimed 1.9-litre CDTi 16v diesel engine, equipped with two turbochargers.

A production Antara, set to bring Vauxhall innovation and style to a new area of the market, will arrive in showrooms before the end of 2006.

09/11/05

New Engines and A New Look for Meriva

" New-look Meriva set to hit showrooms in early 2006
" Sophisticated and economical 1.3 CDTi and 1.6 Twinport engines join the range
" Turbocharged VXR model to follow

The New Year will see a new Meriva, as Vauxhall continues to move its stylish and dynamic model range forward with a revised version of its smallest MPV.

Set to go on sale in the first quarter of 2006, New Meriva gets a freshened front end, with a reprofiled bumper and more prominent V-grille, which brings the mini-MPV into line with the latest Vauxhall family look. At the rear the Meriva gains dark rear lamp lenses and a classy chrome strip across the tailgate. New paint schemes and wheels combine with a revised cabin, featuring extra chrome detailing and fresh fabrics, to complete the stylish new look.

Two new engines will also become available, and both offer exceptional economy. The high-tech 1.3-litre CDTi diesel, as used in Corsa and Tigra, will appear in Meriva for the first time, delivering an impressive combined fuel economy figure of 57mpg allied to a lively top speed of 98mph. The award-winning 75PS unit features common-rail injection and four-valves per cylinder to ensure excellent economy and smooth responses.

The second new addition is to the petrol engine line-up, in the form of the 1.6-litre 105PS Twinport engine used in Astra and Zafira. With 5PS more than the outgoing Meriva 1.6, the newcomer is livelier yet more economical, having a top speed of 112mph and a combined economy figure of 42.2mpg - a six percent improvement over the outgoing car.

New Meriva will also be the next model to get the VXR treatment, with a 180PS turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and distinctive VXR styling. The hot model is expected to go on sale a few weeks after the standard car debuts, with the first deliveries expected in early spring.

All versions of the new Meriva will feature several technical innovations which are unique in its class, including a halogen version of Vauxhall's innovative Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL). More affordable than the xenon lighting used in existing versions of AFL, the halogen set-up includes curve lights that adjust beam angles subject to speed and steering angles. The system offers far greater night time visibility over standard halogen lighting without the cost of a full xenon system.

Other New Meriva features include a power release tailgate and interior lighting that can be activated by remote control, leading the way to the car in the dark. Optional mobile phone installation with Bluetooth interface is also appearing on the options list for the first time.

Thanks to its FlexSpace concept, New Meriva will continue to offer the same versatility and flexibility that its predecessor has offered since 2003. Despite its compact

4.05 metres length, Meriva offers generous storage and plenty of comfortable seating, and can be quickly and easily transformed from a five-seater into a four, three or two-seater in just a matter of seconds.

New Meriva will be the first of several new products to join the Vauxhall line-up in 2006, and prices and trim levels will be confirmed nearer to its launch in the New Year.

31/10/05

Pamper Your Partner with a Vauxhall Christmas Gift

If your loved ones are hoping for a turbocharged Christmas, take Santa's advice. Give the reindeer a rest and tell them to invest in Vauxhall's hottest ever hatch - the Astra VXR.

Failing that, there are a host of accessories that would make ideal yuletide gifts for owners of current Vauxhall models, who may have a yen to customise their trusty steeds this winter.

From styling packs and audio upgrades to practical car accessories and VX Racing branded leisurewear, your nearest Vauxhall retailer will be able to help you select the perfect Christmas present, or you can buy many accessories online from the manufacturer's website at www.vauxhall.co.uk/accessories

High tech accessories like the TomTom portable satellite navigation system and the latest audio systems are certain to feature strongly on most Vauxhall driver wish lists this Christmas.

Fitting neatly on to a screen-mounted bracket enabling the TomTom GO 300 to be moved from car to car, this ultra versatile GPS route mapping system retails at £349.99.

Another top of the tree accessory allowing owners of older Vauxhall models to enjoy the latest in new car optional extras is a reverse parking aid with sensors built into the rear number plate. This costs £129.99 fully fitted.

Proving that there is something in Santa's sack to suit every budget at Christmas, Vauxhall gifts range from Irmscher pens, key rings and mugs starting at just £2 to an alloy pedal set at £80, a set of luggage bags designed specially for the new Tigra at £158 to the latest style Irmscher 16 inch alloy wheel from £568.

If your partner owns a hot VXR version of the Astra and Monaro, a new range of VXR branded quality clothing may be just the thing. Items range from a baseball cap at £10 and umbrella at £18 to a VXR fleece at £50 or a winter coat at £125.

There is a vast selection of Vauxhall-approved Sonax car care products to choose from, including a winter pack at £9, interior and glass cleaning pack at £14 and wheel care pack at £21.

A neat cool box for Astra and Vectra models at just £87 will help to keep the picnic fresh next summer, and a steering wheel lock at £49 can provide welcome peace of mind for owners of older cars without engine immobilisers. There is also a fire extinguisher at £21 and a puncture repair kit at £66.

And if it is music on the move that motivates the man or woman in your life, the choice of Vauxhall audio accessories is equally awesome. There is a CD holder from £3.50 that neatly fits on to the sun visor, a pair of VDO HSP 1321 speakers at £50, the latest VDO Dayton 2304 CD and MP3 player at £180 and the top of the range VDO Dayton MS5600 audio and satellite navigation system at £1249.

28/10/05

Faster, Cleaner and Smoother - New 1.8 Zafira Arrives in Showrooms

" Lightweight 140PS 1.8-litre engine makes debut in new version of MPV best seller

" More power, reduced fuel consumption, improved flexibility, enhanced refinement

" Expected to be the best-seller in New Zafira line-up

There's now even greater choice in the stylish New Zafira line-up, following the introduction of Vauxhall's all-new technically advanced 1.8-litre ECOTEC engine.

The new power unit is massively important for Vauxhall, as not only is it expected to become the best-selling engine choice in New Zafira, but it will also go into a huge variety of exciting new models over the next few years.

With a power output of 140PS, the new unit uses the best of GM technologies and is one of the most powerful in this displacement class, but it's far from being a highly-stressed race engine with peaky power delivery. Thanks to advanced valve and cam phasing technology, 90 percent of the 175Nm maximum torque is available from 2200 to 6200 rpm. This wide range ensures lively performance and exceptional pulling power even at low engine speeds, making everyday driving more relaxed with less need to change gear.

There are also huge benefits for fleet customers, with low CO2 emissions of 187g/km, coupled to New Zafira's already keen pricing and strong residuals, making the newcomer a standout choice for user choosers and fleet managers alike.

Although most motorists will only need to know that the all-new 16-valve engine makes the already dynamic New Zafira great to drive, there are numerous innovations which will be of interest to the technologically minded: two continuously adjustable camshafts (DCVCP - Double Continuous Variable Cam Phasing) to make the best use of fuel; a two-step intake manifold with a rotary sleeve instead of flaps to minimise flow losses; a highly efficient oil-water heat exchanger; a map-controlled thermostat; and a deep drawn exhaust manifold with an integrated catalytic converter.

Lightweight design also contributes to the high efficiency of the engine. In spite of additional features such as DCVCP, the engineers succeeded in making the new unit three percent lighter than the previous version while achieving increased stiffness and structural strength. The cylinder block alone is 20 percent lighter than its predecessor due to a hollow frame concept.

Advantages of the double camshaft adjustment include higher power output and torque characteristics over a wide engine speed range; reduced exhaust emissions thanks to high gas recirculation rates; and reduced fuel consumption using a de-throttled charge cycle.

The new engine is available in Life, Club, Design, SRi and Special Edition Active versions of New Zafira, with prices starting at £15,695. It will also be offered in other Vauxhall models soon.

At a glance data:

25/10/05

Get 'Active' and Avoid Piling on the Pounds

" New 'Active' Special Edition range from Vauxhall

" Air con, alloys and CD players as standard

" Unique dials and interior trim

" Exceptional value, from only £9,495 with 0% finance

Get Active this winter! That's the message from Vauxhall, with a new range of generously-equipped special editions that are stacked up with extras without piling on the pounds. The Active versions of Corsa, Meriva, New Astra and New Zafira are all on sale now, and their figures are made even more attractive with zero percent finance available across the range.

The Active family line up kicks off with the stylish Corsa Active, priced from only £9,495 on-the-road. At this price, many rivals offer basic trim levels, but Corsa Active comes with body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and mouldings, smart 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, white sports dials, a stereo-radio/CD player with steering wheel controls, a leather covered steering wheel, electric front windows, an alloy-effect centre console, platinum-coloured seatbelts and dark tail lights, plus a choice of Platinum or Blue Twist trim. Engine choices are 1.0i 12v and 1.2i 16v petrol, a 1.7 CDTi 16v diesel or a 1.4i 16v automatic petrol model.

Meriva Active has an even more impressive array of features. With prices starting at £12,300, the innovative and stylish mini-MPV comes with a choice of 1.4i 16v, 1.6i 16v or 1.7CDTi 16v engines, air conditioning, dark tinted Solar Protect glass, 16-inch seven-spoke alloys, a stereo-radio/CD player, steering wheel audio controls, a leather covered steering wheel, FlexSpace rear seating, chrome effect instrument surrounds and Charcoal or Blue Enigma interior trim.

Petrol engines in the five-door Astra Active include 1.4i 16v and 1.6i 16v, plus a 1.8i 16v automatic, along with Vauxhall's acclaimed 90PS CDTi diesel powerplant. The great value-for-money offered by the Active range is no more apparent than on this great value-for-money variant of New Astra, which includes air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, six airbags, a multi-function trip computer, stereo-radio/CD player with steering wheel controls, body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and mouldings, remote control deadlocking and a choice of Charcoal or Grey Tabita trim, not to mention the great driving dynamics and stylish design for which New Astra has become rightfully well known. Prices start at £13,675.

The Active line-up also sees the introduction of the first ever special edition New Zafira. Priced from only £15,695, Zafira Active comes with all of the facets of the award-winning Zafira range, including Vauxhall's acclaimed Flex7 seating layout and a top five-star EuroNCAP rating. On top of that, standard kit includes air conditioning, 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, air conditioning, alloy-effect roof rails, a stereo-radio/CD player, steering wheel audio controls, dark-tinted Solar Protect glass, body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and mouldings, full-size front and second row curtain airbags and a choice of Charcoal or Grey Tabita trim. Engine choices are 1.6i 16v, 1.8i 16v and 2.2i 16v petrol, plus the 120PS version of Vauxhall's impressive 1.9-litre CDTi diesel engine.

What's more, Vauxhall retailers are offering a fabulous 0% finance deal on the entire Active range, with four years' interest-free credit on Corsa, Meriva and New Astra, and three years' on New Zafira, subject to a minimum deposit of 40%.

20/10/05

Ellesmere Port Plant Tops 4,000,000 with New Astra

A silver Astra 5 door hatchback has been the source of even more pride than usual for the workers at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant. The 1.6-litre model became the 4,000,000th vehicle to be produced at the Cheshire factory, a landmark which proves that the British motor industry is very much alive, well and still producing best-selling cars!

Since the start of production in 1962, Ellesmere Port has been the birthplace of some of the UK's most popular models beginning with the Viva and including the Chevette, Vectra and all five generations of the Astra. It is now one of the largest employers in Cheshire and Wirral employing 3,500 workers and makes nearly 185,000 vehicles a year, half of which are exported.

Currently the plant is working flat out to keep up with demand for the latest Astra across Europe, with three shifts working day and night to keep customers satisfied. The landmark 4,000,000th car is now on its way to an eager buyer in Huddersfield.

The Ellesmere Port plant director, Julian Blissett said: "It is a major milestone for us and a fantastic achievement by the workforce. The Astra embodies Vauxhall's spirit of stylish design and driving excitement, and we are proud to build it in Britain."

The plant was recently awarded a £1.9-million pound grant under the Selective Finance for Investment in England scheme, to help install a new panel pressing shop to make large Astra body parts on site. This will make the plant even more efficient and set Ellesmere Port well on the way towards that 5 millionth car!

17/10/05

Masterfit Offers Free Tyre Check and Price Promise

If you think your car tyres may not be up to the rigours of another winter's motoring, why not take advantage of a free tread depth check at your local participating Vauxhall MasterFit Centre.

Tyres are the sole contact between your car and the road, but many of us do not check the condition of our tyres regularly enough for cuts, scrapes or wear.

Although the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and RoadSafe recommend that tyres be replaced when the tread depth is reduced to 3mm.

New research by the Motor Industry Research Association shows that worn tyres significantly increase the risk of an accident on wet roads by extending the stopping distance. Tyres with a tread depth of 3mm offer 25 per cent better performance than those worn down to the legal minimum.

This represents an extra eight metres in wet conditions - almost the length of a double-decker bus. Tyre grip when cornering is similarly affected, with an increased risk of aquaplaning on wet roads.

Not only will your local Vauxhall MasterFit Centre check the tread depth of your tyres. Vauxhall MasterFit Centres throughout the country will also be able to offer you a great price on a wide range of new tyres, including such well known brands as Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, Michelin and Pirelli.

The Vauxhall MasterFit Price Promise means that if you buy a new tyre from them and then find you can buy the same tyre more cheaply locally within 48 hours, they will refund you the difference.

Whether you need just one replacement tyre or a full set, you do not have to make an appointment. Simply call them for a competitive quote, and then drive in for immediate attention while you wait.

All sizes, speed ratings and tread patterns can be supplied and fitted to meet the needs of owners of current and older Vauxhall models. The price you are quoted will include valve, balancing and environmentally friendly disposal of your old tyres.

06/10/05

New Vectra Takes Control of the Sales Charts

" UK-tailored dynamics prove a hit with buyers
" Over 7,500 cars sold before on-sale date
" More than half of all New Vectras are CDTi models

It was developed in Britain for British drivers - and it looks like buyers are voting with their wallets as the New Vectra makes its first appearance in Vauxhall showrooms this week.

Over 7,000 orders for New Vectra were taken before the official on sale date of 1 October, with more than half of those featuring Vauxhall's highly-acclaimed 1.9-litre CDTi diesel engines.

The orders were received even before the airing of a new high-profile media advertising campaign, featuring top football referee Pierluigi Collina.

Vauxhall's Group Product Manager for Vectra and Signum, Stuart Harris, said: "We're delighted that the car has been so well received by the press and the public alike. It's a real testament to the hard work of Vauxhall's engineers, as buyers are getting the message that this is a car exclusively designed to appeal to UK buyers.

"With great dynamics, stylish design and tremendous value for money, it's easy to see how New Vectra was destined to become a success."

From the outset, New Vectra was specifically designed to provide the best mix of comfort and driver feel on British roads. Unlike most rivals, which use a pan-European compromise in their handling characteristics, every New Vectra sold has been specifically created to cope with the rigours of driving in Britain.

Simon Johnson, Vehicle Dynamics Manager at the Vauxhall Engineering Centre in Millbrook, Bedfordshire, was the man in charge of tailoring New Vectra to the UK market. He said: "Our brief was to make the car much more fun to drive in all conditions, and has been made with no loss in ride quality and refinement. It is going to be a fundamental part of all future development programmes."

But it's not just New Vectra's stylish design and impressive driving dynamics appeal that are wooing buyers away from other marques. On-the-road prices start at just £14,750 for the impressively equipped Exclusiv model, complete with Vauxhall's innovative 'Structure' wheels that offer all of the style of alloys with none of the expense.

The sales boost comes as Vauxhall enjoys one of its most exciting years on record, with a host of new products in showrooms. New Astra, Astra Sport Hatch, New Zafira, Astra VXR and now New Vectra and Signum, along with the imminent New Vectra VXR are helping give the brand greater appeal than ever. A host of new model launches are planned for 2006, including the sharp and stylish Astra TwinTop coupe-convertible, previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month.

03/10/05

Vauxhall Offers Drivers Winter Peace of Mind

Now is the time of year to be running an eye over your car's key functions to make sure the vehicle is in good shape to cope with another winter's motoring, especially if you own an older model.

Brakes, battery and tyre condition should all be checked, but it is the cooling system that is often the cause of emergency calls to the roadside rescue organisations.

Cracked hoses, sticking thermostats or just lack of antifreeze can lead to overheating or major engine failure, especially in harsh winters, so why run the risk of your engine seizing up?

Vauxhall drivers can take advantage of a special WinterCare offer available through participating Vauxhall MasterFit Centres this winter. For just £45 you can get a full inspection to spot any winter related problems before they sideline you at the roadside.

The comprehensive procedure includes a pressure test of the complete cooling system, inspection of the cylinder head and block for leaks, tightening of hoses and clips and renewal of antifreeze.

Once your car has passed its inspection, you will be issued with a WinterCare warranty valid for six months or 10,000 miles.

This peace of mind guarantee means that any subsequent problems during the warranty period will be put right free of charge, and that includes any additional damage that may result from the leak itself.

03/10/05

VX Racing Win BTCC Manufacturers' Championship for Fifth Successive Year

Brands Hatch circuit, Kent, 2 October 2005 . . . / Vauxhall's VX Racing team today secured the British Touring Car Championship manufacturers' crown for the fifth successive year, confirming the British marque as the most successful BTCC competitor of modern times. The new Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch has scored eight race wins and 16 other top-three finishes in its first season of competition, beating Seat to the coveted manufacturer's prize by 781 points to 629.

VX Racing's star driver, Yvan Muller, claimed second place in the driver's championship to series veteran Matt Neal. Muller amassed 273 points in the 30-race season, Neal 316 points.

Muller retained a mathematical chance of winning the driver's title until the second of today's three races, round 29 of 30, on the fast Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. Muller had run strongly to second place in the day's opening race, crossing the line two places ahead of Neal - but mid-way through race two Muller's Vauxhall and Neal's Honda brushed against each other while running side-by-side out of a corner and the collision punctured Muller's offside front tyre. Muller was forced to make a pit-stop (on the seventh of the race's 14 laps), which dropped him just outside the points in 11th place, while Neal was able to finish the race and take the crown.

With a shrug, Muller said straight afterwards: "There was light contact between us when we were running side-by-side onto the straight. I got a puncture, he didn't. He was lucky, I wasn't - that's the story of the whole season."

Muller didn't have any more luck in the third race of today, ending the BTCC season in the gravel trap on the outside of Paddock Hill Bend. Running immediately in front of Muller, Dan Eaves (Honda Integra) had been surprised by how early Warren Hughes had braked for the corner and had to brake early himself, with the result that Muller tapped Eaves' rear bumper; Eaves lost control of his car and spun across the track, taking Muller off with him.

VX Racing's best results today were delivered by Gavin Smith, who withstood pressure from newly-crowned champion Matt Neal to take third place in round 30, and ran strongly in second place for most of round 28, the day's opening race, one place ahead of Muller - but the introduction of the Safety Car to the track on the 13th of 15 laps changed both their fortunes. Soon after the Safety Car returned to the pits and racing re-started, Muller passed team-mate Smith for second. Smith found himself on the disadvantaged outside line going through the tight Druids Bend and several other cars squeezed past him, demoting him to sixth, one place ahead of VX Racing team-mate Colin Turkington. Dan Eaves won the day's opening race, with Jason Plato (Seat Toledo) third behind Muller. Plato won the next race from Eaves and Neal. Robert Collard (MG ZS) won the final race of the day and the year, from James Pickford (Seat Toledo) and VX Racing's Smith.

Stuart Harris

VX Racing Brand Manager

"It's good to win the manufacturers' championship again, and although we were unable to keep the driver's, at least it shows the others that we can be beaten. We started the year with an unknown car, developed it through the year, and showed we have a title winner. We're already looking forward to next year."

Yvan Muller

Rd28 2nd, Rd29 11th, Rd30 DNF

"There was light contact between us [with Neal, round 29] when we were running side-by-side onto the straight. I got a puncture, he didn't. He was lucky, I wasn't - that's the story of the whole season. "In the last race, Hughes braked a bit early for Paddock Hill Bend, Eaves was surprised by it and also braked early, and that surprised me. It was just a little touch, but we were out."

Gavin Smith

Rd 28 6th, Rd29 4th, Rd30 3rd "

The car felt really good all weekend, with good balance and good grip. It was great through the corners. In the last race Matt [Neal] tried to put me under pressure for a few laps, there was a bit of contact, and he dropped back. After that I just got my head down and drove as if every lap was a qualifying lap."

Colin Turkington

Rd 28 7th, Rd29 DNF, Rd 30 6th

"In race two Neal made contact with me at the first corner, my wheel came off the rim, and I was in the gravel. I struggled for grip in the first race, but we made some changes to the set-up and in the last race it was a lot better."

30/09/05

Celebration on the Cards as VX Racing Heads to Season Finale at Brands Hatch

Vauxhall's VX Racing are looking to confirm their position as the most successful manufacturer team of modern times by clinching the Manufacturer's title in the closing rounds of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend. Mathematically, Vauxhall can fail to take the title; in reality, the British marque is hot favourite to seize the Manufacturer's crown for the fifth consecutive year.

Brands Hatch has seen many British Touring Car Championship deciding races over the years and the finale to the 2005 season will be no exception. As VX Racing heads south to the Kent track this weekend, Yvan Muller, currently lying second in the Drivers' Championship, will be pushing hard in his Astra Sport Hatch to close the 30 point deficit on Championship leader Matt Neal.

In the first of the weekend's celebrations, Muller will make his 200th BTCC start on Sunday when he lines up on the grid for the first BTCC race of the day. With a total of 52 points up for grabs during the day, Muller will be aiming to capitalise on every point-scoring opportunity to take the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title, though he acknowledges that it's an outside chance.

VX Racing could achieve its 100th race win if Muller, Colin Turkington (Portadown, Northern Ireland) or Gavin Smith (Dublin, Ireland) take the chequered flag in first place in one of the three races at Brands Hatch. Muller has won six of the 27 races so far this season, Turkington has won two, while Smith's best result is a 2nd place two weeks ago at Silverstone.

The British Touring Car Championship has not raced on the full-length Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit since 2002. Back then it was Vauxhall's Yvan Muller who posted both the fastest qualifying lap (1m33.105s/100.54mph) and the fastest race lap (1m33.262s/100.44mph) in the championship winning Vauxhall Astra Coupe. At 2.62 miles in length, this is the longest and arguably the greatest circuit on the BTCC calendar.

With Muller's Astra Sport Hatch heading to Brands Hatch with minimum weight (1150kg) and no weight ballast added, the Frenchman is eager to close the gap on championship leader, Matt Neal. Muller said, "We struggled a little at Silverstone but fortunately for me so did Team Halfords. It's going to be difficult for me to take the drivers' championship, but that doesn't mean I won't be trying. I'm looking forward to racing on the Grand Prix circuit, where I've been quick in previous years. It will be the first time that we've raced on that particular circuit with the new Astra Sport Hatch, so it's going to be exciting."

Whilst Colin Turkington has not driven on the Grand Prix circuit in BTCC he is familiar with the layout. Colin explains, "I competed at the circuit back in 2001, although I'm sure racing in the Astra will be a different experience and one which I am looking forward to. I've won here previously at Brands Hatch and it's a great feeling. If I can win here this weekend and claim Vauxhall's 100th BTCC win, then it would be even better. I would certainly end the 2005 season with VX Racing on a high."

Third driver Gavin Smith is also a Brands Hatch race winner, taking his debut Seat Cupra Championship win on the grand prix circuit in 2004. Gavin's confidence is strong after achieving his best result of the season at Silverstone last time out. The Dubliner said, "My second place at Silverstone was what I'd been looking for all season and it's given me a taste for victory. I'll be looking to go one step further on the podium this weekend and aim for my first race win. I've always performed well at Brands Hatch and I won a race there last year, so I'm optimistic for some good results."

Hot Facts

It is highly likely that Vauxhall's VX Racing team will leave the Brands Hatch circuit this weekend with the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Manufacturers' title. Only technicalities will mean that the team head home empty-handed.

Should one of the VX Racing drivers win at Brands Hatch this weekend, it would be Vauxhall's 100th win in the British Touring Car Championship. John Cleland scored the first win on May 27, 1991 at Thruxton in a Vauxhall Dealersport Cavalier GSi. Vauxhall currently has 99 wins with Yvan Muller claiming a total of 36 and the most successful Vauxhall driver in the BTCC ever.

Yvan Muller will celebrate his 200th race in the BTCC series this weekend as he lines up on the grid for the opening race. Muller joined the championship in 1998 and currently has a total of 36 race wins. In addition to his title in 2003 he has been runner-up three times, in 2001, 2002 and 2004.

Yvan Muller holds the BTCC qualifying lap record for the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, set in 2002: 1m33.105s at an average speed of 100.54 mph. Muller also holds the race lap record, 1m.33.262s (100.44 mph).

Gavin Smith and Colin Turkington arrive at Brands Hatch confident, as both have already competed on the Grand Prix circuit. They have competed here in the Seat Cupra Cup and the Ford Fiesta Zetec Championship respectively.

22/09/05

Face of New Vectra and New Signum is A Head Of The Game…

" Football ref Pierluigi Collina stars in New Vectra and New Signum campaign
" Highlights how new models 'Take Control'
" Ads bring together two very distinctive faces

The man who awarded the penalty that took England to victory against Argentina in the 2002 FIFA World Cup is set to take a different kind of control in the run up to the next championship, as the distinctive face of Vauxhall's New Vectra and New Signum.

Regarded as the greatest football referee in the world, Pierluigi Collina has blown the whistle on his international career, and is set to find a different kind of fame as he takes control behind the wheel in a new series of TV and press advertisements beginning on
1 October - the same day that these two exciting new models arrive in showrooms.

Like New Vectra and New Signum, 45-year old Collina is admired all over Europe, having played a major role in every major international football tournament since 1996.

Thanks to his unforgettable appearance, Collina is forever etched in the memory of most football fans. Not to mention England captain David Beckham, who famously fired home the goal that took England through to the last 16 of the World Cup tournament when it was last held.

Vauxhall's Marketing Director, Andy Gilson said: "As a referee, Collina has to have everything under control, all of the time. The New Vectra and Signum's advertising slogan is 'Take Control', as the latest version of our mid-size car features intelligent innovations for even greater dynamics, safety and comfort."

But it's not only through technology that New Vectra and New Signum play their rivals off the pitch. The tremendous value, starting with the all-new Exclusiv model which kicks off at just £14,750 on the road, well and truly shows other players the red card, while Collina himself summed up the new handling and chassis package - specifically developed for British roads - in his own words.

He said: "The Vectra and Signum's excellent driving dynamics enable a split-second judgement in every situation - just like a referee on the football pitch."

19/09/05

VX Racing Provisionally Crowned BTCC Manufacturers' Champions

Silverstone circuit, 18 September 2005 . . . / Vauxhall's VX Racing team was today provisionally crowned as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship manufacturers' champion for the fifth successive year. VX Racing left Silverstone circuit this evening with a 125 point lead over closest rivals Seat, with a maximum manufacturer's score of 111 points up for grabs in the final three rounds of the 30- race series at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.

In theory, Vauxhall could still be beaten to the manufacturer's title if at Brands Hatch it has to make a significant number of engine changes to its three cars, as each change is penalised by a deduction of 10 points; in practice, however, this is very unlikely, and the new Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch will take the British marque to title success in its first year.

Silverstone brought a day of mixed fortunes for VX Racing: Yvan Muller was frustrated in his efforts to reduce the points lead of rival Matt Neal in the driver's championship, the difference between the two remaining at 30 points, but Dubliner Gavin Smith achieved his best-ever BTCC result with second place in the day's second race.

Smith, in his first full season of the BTCC, battled through an action-packed round 26 (the second of the day's three races) from 11th place on the grid to third at the flag, and was later promoted to second place when on-the-road winner Jason Plato (Seat Toledo) was excluded from the results for careless driving. Plato had controversially pushed the previous race's winner, Tom Chilton (Honda Civic), into a big sideways slide and out of the lead.

VX Racing's other two drivers, Muller and Colin Turkington, were less fortunate than Smith in the day's second race. Muller was running third, several positions ahead of title rival Neal, when forced to retire on the 13th of the 22 laps with a broken driveshaft circlip, a standardised part provided to all cars in the series; Turkington was running strongly in fifth place in the opening laps when Gareth Howell (Honda Integra) barged into him, putting the Vauxhall out of the race with a damaged rear suspension.

Muller had fared better in the day's opening race on the 1.6-mile Silverstone National Circuit, making an outstanding start from eight on the grid and moving up to fourth place for eight championship points, whereas Neal was only able to score two points for ninth place. The only other driver who still had a chance of winning the crown, Dan Eaves (Honda Integra) ended his race in a gravel trap after sliding wide at Becketts corner.

Muller also finished ahead of Neal in the day's third race - fifth, compared to seventh - but the second race retirement cost him dear. Turkington battled for position throughout the first-half of the day's first race, losing ground when nudged by Howell, and finally coming home seventh, with Smith just outside the points scoring positions in 11th.

IAN HARRISON

Team Principal

"We've accomplished one of our objectives by putting the manufacturer's title out of reach. That's satisfying given that the Astra Sport Hatch is new this year. We can't officially be confirmed as champions until we get through Brands Hatch in two weeks, but everyone knows the title's ours. "Today's other positive was the great result for Gavin. He's been trying hard all year and it's great to see
him get just rewards."

YVAN MULLER

Rd25 4th, Rd26 retired, Rd27 5th

"If you make a good start here there's a long run to the first corner and you can make up a lot of places, which I did in the first race. "In the second race I was ahead of Matt and looking good to take some more points away from him, so it was more or less going to plan, then the driveshaft circlip failed. It's something that hardly ever happens, so I was unlucky - and Matt was so lucky: when he spun [after being hit by the MG ZS of Rob Collard] he so nearly hit the barriers, but not quite. "We're a bit down on straight-line speed here, and this circuit has long straights, so fourth and fifth was the best I could do."

GAVIN SMITH

Rd 25 11th, Rd26 2nd, Rd27 11th

"This is the result I've been looking for. The car's balance was good and [in the second race] I managed to hang-on to the frontrunners, getting a tow from them down the long straights. With a couple of laps to go I had a go at getting by Dan [Eaves] and that worked. It's a long time since I've stood on the podium. I was beginning to doubt myself and I think the team were too, so this result is a bit of a relief."

COLIN TURKINGTON

Rd 25 7th, Rd26 retired, Rd 27 9th

"The opening laps of the first race were pretty hectic, during some of the dicing I was right behind Yvan - but then I got nudged wide by Howell and lost a bit of ground. Howell was my undoing in the second race - he made a late move up the inside and hit me hard on the right rear. Suddenly I was facing the traffic, game over."

BTCC Driver's Championship: 1, Matt Neal, 291 points; 2, Yvan Muller, 261 points; 3, Dan Eaves, 238 points; 6, Colin Turkington, 165 points; 10, Gavin Smith, 63 points.

BTCC Manufacturers' Championship: 1, Vauxhall, 708 points; 2, Seat, 583 points. BTCC Teams' Championship: 1, Team Halfords, 534 points; 2, VX Racing, 428 points; 3, Seat Sport UK, 279 points.

12/09/05

Taking the Rough with the Smooth Vauxhall Reveals New Antara GTC

" Adventurous new concept car debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show
" Coupe styling matched with SUV ruggedness
" Twin-turbo version of 1.9 CDTi engine with 212PS

An all-new 4x4 is set to be the star of the GM stand at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Combining the head-turning looks of a sporty coupe with the chunky appeal of an off-roader, Vauxhall's latest concept car demonstrates just how athletic and stylish an SUV can be. Developed entirely in-house by GM's own design team, its coupe-like profile, LED headlamps and frameless windows are unique innovations in the class, and point the way towards the design direction of future Vauxhalls.

Sitting on 20-inch alloy wheels, Antara GTC takes strong styling cues from other models in the Vauxhall line-up. The distinctive bonnet ridge, for example, can be found on every Griffin-badged car, while the modular glass roof is inspired by the Panorama roof first seen on the New Zafira.

"With this study, we wanted to develop a concept that quite simply whets your appetite," said exterior design director Mark Adams. "An appetite for new discoveries, for driving and for getting out and doing something sporty. The result was a very attractive crossover that is a decidedly sporty interpretation of an SUV."

But it isn't just about style, as the Antara GTC has been designed with many purposes in mind. Its looks certainly convey more of an 'on road' than 'rough terrain' image, but nonetheless it is a car that has been created to cope with unconventional conditions. Short front and rear overhangs and a lofty ride height suggest that this is a car capable of coping with the rough, while still looking smooth.

Practicality played a key part in Antara GTC's design, too. The three-door body is accessed through clever door handles, which glide out of the door electronically when the remote locking is activated. They conceal a spacious four-seater cabin, with large glass areas to give a feeling of space. There's plenty of room to get comfortable too, thanks to the innovative sliding seats. Unlike conventional seats, which are mounted on a pair of runners, the Antara GTC's each have their own monorail to slide fore and aft on, allowing much more legroom for rear seat passengers. They also slide forward at the touch of a button to allow rear seat access.

The lack of a B-pillar allows easy access to the rear without compromising that sleek sloping roofline, while the tailgate is a work of art. Like the Insignia concept car previewed at the 2003 Frankfurt Show, it uses a 'pantograph' style door, which is counterbalanced rather than based on space-consuming hydraulics. This means it takes up far less space both inside and outside the car, lifting up and over the roof rather than outward like a conventional rear door. The back seats can be folded away completely from the rear, producing a completely flat load floor and allowing up to 2,400 litres of usable loadspace.

There are interesting developments under the bonnet, too. While some show cars are little more than static models, Antara GTC is fully operational and houses the latest development of GM's 1.9-litre CDTi turbodiesel unit beneath its chiselled nose.

Developing 212PS, the unit has two turbochargers rather than the usual one, meaning it develops a massive 400Nm of torque at only 1,400rpm. That gives it enough grunt to accelerate from 0-62mph in around eight seconds, and on to a top speed of around 130mph. The engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, powering all four wheels.

12/09/05

VX Racing Close to Achieving the 100th Race Win

VX Racing has been in sight of its 100th race win for the last two race weekends and is determined to reach the milestone at Silverstone, the next event on the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship calendar. The team arrived at Snetterton one month ago needing two wins to reach the century, but left still needing them. At the following race weekend in Knockhill, the team came a win closer following Yvan Muller's victory in the first race. Now standing on 99 race wins, VX Racing has three opportunities from the three-race Silverstone event to make history.

Silverstone, the penultimate event of this season's BTC Championship, is set to be a thrilling weekend for race fans. The drivers championship is still undecided with VX Racing's Yvan Muller chasing the leader, Matt Neal, and with 30 points separating the two, the title is still up for grabs.

This weekend's event is the home race for the team, with Vauxhall's head office nearby in Luton, and the race team based near Banbury, close to the Silverstone circuit. Ahead of the weekend the team will be taking part in a promotion for the Series, with the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch taking to the roads and roundabouts of Milton Keynes for some demonstration runs, alongside other teams in the championship. A strong crowd, including many from Vauxhall in Luton, are expected to cheer on VX Racing for this unique event, which takes place on Thursday evening, outside the Xscape centre in central Milton Keynes. VX Racing's two other drivers, Colin Turkington and Gavin Smith, will also be attending the Milton Keynes event to meet the fans and sign autographs.

Yvan Muller looks forward to the weekend saying, "The title chase is very hot now. It's going to be quite tough for me to wrestle for the crown, but, as I do for each race, I shall be trying to win, so that I have given it the best shot possible. I don't know whether Silverstone will suit our car, but maybe it will rain, which is good for me!" Commenting on the Milton Keynes event, the Frenchman added, "It's good for us to take the BTCC show to the fans and give them a taste of the sounds and excitement of touring cars. I'm sure it will encourage people to come along at the weekend and see us racing on the track."

VX Racing travel to Silverstone lying in the lead of the manufacturers' championship and second in the team championship. Muller lies second in the drivers' championship with Turkington in fifth and Smith in tenth place. The Silverstone event will be the ninth race weekend of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 17 and 18 August.

07/09/05

Vauxhall Offers Portable Satellite Navigation

Owners of Vauxhall cars and vans can now enjoy all the benefits of satellite navigation at less than a third of the price of factory-fitted systems on new cars, thanks to a link up between Vauxhall and TomTom.

Regardless of model or age of your vehicle, the latest GO 300 version of the TomTom portable navigation aid is now available as an accessory from Vauxhall retailers throughout the United Kingdom for just £369.99.

Mounted on an adjustable bracket that sticks to the windscreen via a suction pad, it is easy to install. As no permanent fitting is necessary, it can be easily transferred from car to car by drivers who have use of more than one vehicle.

Touch screen operation makes it easy to plan your journey, using the quickest or shortest route avoiding such things as toll roads and congestion charging zones. Road coverage extends to all corners of the UK.

Once the driver has entered their destination using either the postcode or typing in the full address, TomTom will guide them there using voice commands and either bird's-eye view maps or 3-D view maps depending on the owner's preference.

With a four hour battery life the unit should see drivers through most journeys but a cigar lighter power light lead enables you to keep the battery topped up while on the move.

With TomTom PLUS services, the owner can add more features such as real time information on traffic, congestion charging areas and weather forecasts, not to mention additional voices. If you want to venture abroad, maps for foreign countries can be purchased online at www.tomtom.com

06/09/05

Vectra VXR Overtakes Super Saloons Costing Twice the Price

" Vauxhall prices the 161mph Vectra VXR at just £23,995
" Powered by all-new 2.8-litre V6 turbo, on sale in November
" Estate model available next spring priced at £24,995

With its 161mph top speed, ultra-sophisticated suspension system and luxury interior, the Vectra VXR can easily mix it with supercars. But the price certainly isn't exotic - just £23,995 for the hatch and £24,995 for the estate.

The new model, which makes its debut at the Frankfurt motor show on 12 September, is powered by an all-new 2.8-litre V6 turbo producing a massive 255PS and 320Nm of torque (236lb ft). This makes it easily the most powerful car in the class, and yet the price is around the same as a four-cylinder saloon from some other marques and more than £300 less than its nearest rival.

The Vectra VXR has certainly not been stripped of equipment to keep the price down either. Recaro seats, 18-inch alloys and a full VXR bodykit are all standard, while under the skin the VXR has an ultra-sophisticated dual-processor electronically controlled damper system which has only ever been seen before on £100,000 plus exotica. By using two separate processing modules, the shock absorbers respond to suspension movements in a fraction of a second. The result is a noticeable enhancement in body roll prevention and damper control while still maintaining the Vectra's legendary ride comfort.

This ultra-sophisticated system has also allowed Vauxhall to create a VXR estate for the first time without compromising either the driving dynamics expected from the brand or the standard model's exceptional load-lugging capabilities. The VXR still has a class-leading 1850 litre load bay while the suspension electronics ensure that it can still provide entertaining handling with a full load on board.

Options on both the hatch and estate include an upgrade to massive 19-inch wheels for just £500 and Vauxhall's Advanced Forward Lighting, which is acknowledged as the most sophisticated headlamp system in the world, for £850. Colour choices include Arden Blue, which is unique to the VXR models.

But there is some good news for anyone who has just spent £60,000 on a German super saloon: the first Vectra VXRs won't be able to embarrass you on the Autobahn until they arrive at dealerships in November.

02/09/05

Platinum Joins Forces With 107.9 Bath FM

Renrod Ltd, owner of the Platinum group of dealerships and associated company Wellsway BMW/MINI, is joining forces with 107.9 Bath FM in a unique partnership.

Encouraged by the success of recent advertising campaigns with commercial radio station - 107.9 Bath FM, Renrod were keen to form ongoing reciprocal working relationships with the local marketing partner. The ongoing commitment between the two local businesses will enable exciting new initiatives and mutually beneficial marketing activity.

Renrod Ltd is providing 107.9 Bath FM with 2 vehicles for staff to use at the radio station's events and outside broadcasts around the city. Branded with both Platinum and 107.9 Bath FM's livery, the Mitsubishi 'Warrior' and a Toyota 'Hilux' will be assisting 107.9 Bath FM's promotional activities over the coming months.

The vehicles' activities will be highlighted on air on 107.9FM prefixed with the strap-lines '…powered by Platinum Mitsubishi….' or '…….powered by Platinum Toyota' and listeners will be able to spot them out and about in Bath from 12th September.

Jeremy Cuff, Renrod Ltd's Group Marketing Director said, "We've had some very productive discussions with the Bath FM team, with the result being an ongoing commitment to work together. Our linkup with the radio station will include the loan of these two vehicles for their events, creating joint news stories for our magazines and websites and the sharing and distribution of marketing initiatives."

Jo Woods, Station Manager at 107.9 Bath FM said, "Staff are already planning the Hilux and Warrior's first big event which will be at the Roundtable Fireworks at the Rec on November 4th, but in the meantime look out for the Bath FM crew and the new vehicles out and about in Bath.'

For full details of 107.9 Bath FM's visits with the Mitsubishi Warrior and Toyota Hilux, view their website - www.bathfm.co.uk

30/08/05

VX Racing Endures The Highs And Lows Of Knockhill

Knockhill circuit, 28 August 2005…/VX Racing came one race closer to the milestone of 100 race wins with Yvan Muller taking victory in the first race of the three-race Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship programme at Knockhill today. The win was, however, a personal milestone for Muller, as he took his first-ever win at the Scottish circuit in eight years of racing at the picturesque track. The weekend started well for the team with Colin Turkington setting the pace with the fastest qualifying lap to take pole position for the first race. Muller started third and Gavin Smith lined up in ninth place after the qualifying session yesterday.

In the first race Turkington lost ground to second place starter, Gareth Howell, at the start, while Muller retained his start position and Smith moved up a placed to eighth. Muller, not content with third place battled past Turkington, then Howell to take the lead at the end of the opening lap. Turkington attacked Howell and pushed past into second, with Howell spinning off track to let through championship contender, Matt Neal. The top three drivers retained these positions to the chequered flag, while Smith moved up from his grid position to take eighth. Muller said of his win, "It was a difficult race, in very bad race conditions, but we expect that when we come here. I don't think I've been here with the sun shining! Everyone was telling me that I've never won here and I've been racing here for eight years, so it's good to have changed that."

Grid positions for the second race of the day at Knockhill, determined by the finish results of the first race, gave Yvan Muller pole for this race, but the heavily weighted car struggled to hold off current championship leader, Matt Neal. The two battled throughout the race, but Muller had to settle for second, unable to get past the lighter Neal. Turkington dropped a place to fourth and, staving off challenges from his rivals, held his ground to finish in this slot. Smith was running well, just inside the top ten, but a mechanical problem brought an early end to his race, when he slid off the track and into the gravel. He recovered to limp into the pits and retire from the race.

For the third race, and a reverse top-ten grid under championship regulations, Turkington started as the lead VX Racing driver in seventh place, Muller was back in ninth and Smith in thirteenth. Muller demonstrated the skill and experience he has of Touring Cars moving up to sixth on the first lap and after incidents ahead, he was quickly into third, with team mate, Turkington, following in his tyre tread, in fourth. Smith, further back in the field and hampered by poor visibility was caught up with track incidents, ending up in the gravel and out of the race.

Muller, with arch-rival Jason Plato and MG racer, Rob Collard ahead of him, was pushing hard. He quickly took Plato when the SEAT driver ran wide, but Collard proved harder to pass. The Frenchman was closing fast on the MG driver when his luck ran out when he lost power. Pitting for inspection, the team put Muller back out on track, but the problem persisted and Muller was forced to retire. Turkington was the only one of the three VX Racing drivers to complete the race, running in the pack for much of the race and battling hard with his rivals and after a tough race was able to finish seventh.

VX Racing leave Knockhill as Manufacturers Championship leaders, with the team lying second in the Team Championship and Yvan Muller lying second in the Drivers' Championship, 30 points behind Matt Neal. With two weekends and six races remaining, the Championship title remains at stake. VX Racing will be back in action at Silverstone on the weekend of 17/18 September.

26/08/05

Vauxhall Reinvents The Wheel For New Vectra!

" New 'Structure' wheel puts kerb on damage costs
" All the looks of an alloy but costs less than £16 to replace
" Fitted as standard on new Vectra Exclusiv

It's a sound which every driver dreads….. Just as you are trying to park neatly or squeeze past traffic on a tight urban street there is a sickening graunch as your expensive alloys meet the kerbstone.

If the damage isn't too severe, owners might get away with getting the wheel refurbished by a specialist and a bill for around £60. Anything more severe will mean the whole wheel will have to be replaced, and the cost is likely to be at least three figures. Wheelcovers are much easier and cheaper to replace of course, but all style-conscious drivers lust after the sleek looks of alloy wheels.

Now Vauxhall has come up with the perfect answer - the Structure wheel. Fitted as standard to the new Vectra Exclusiv, it looks - even to the trained eye - like an attractive alloy wheel. In fact it is an innovative five-spoke steel wheel covered with an easy-to-replace plastic wheel cover. If it's damaged, a replacement cover costs less than £16 including VAT, so all four wheeltrims can be replaced for less than the cost of refurbishing one alloy wheel!

As the cover is also held in place by the wheel's bolts, theft is far more difficult than with a conventional wheeltrim, and it's virtually impossible for it to fly off when the car is in motion.

Vauxhall's experts were also determined that the new wheel shouldn't harm the new Vectra's driving dynamics, so the entire Structure wheel assembly, including the cover, is only marginally heavier than the equivalent 16-inch alloy wheel.

It's just another example of how Vauxhall is using its expertise to keep running costs low for its customers. In fact, it looks like Vauxhall could have created a real 'revolution' in wheel design!

26/08/05

VX Racing Car Let Loose on Forth Road Bridge

Friday 26 August 2005... VX Racing travelled to the eighth race weekend of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill, Scotland in spectacular fashion yesterday, when Colin Turkington crossed the Forth Road Bridge in his VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch race car.

The crossing was a first. No other driver has before traversed the magnificent suspension bridge in a BTCC-spec racecar. The event also marked a welcome return to Scotland for VX Racing driver and former Knockhill race school instructor Turkington, a recent graduate of Stirling University.

Colin said after the crossing " I was based in this area when I was studying so I have driven over the bridge many times, but to do it in the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch was amazing! With my strong personal link to the area, it made it even more special. I was very tempted to really push, but instead I kept to the speed limit and soaked up the experience. It was a great start to the weekend, and hopefully we can get a win for all of my friends who will be at the circuit."

The VX Racing team arrived at the Fife circuit after a solid points haul in the last round at Snetterton. Turkington will be joined by team-mates Yvan Muller and Gavin Smith in the sister VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars. The team is aiming for top-three finishes in the races at Knockhill, with qualifying action on Saturday and three races on Sunday, continuing the team's battle for supremacy in the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

23/08/05

Styling Pack Adds Street Cred to New Zafira

There was a time when anyone buying an MPV was forced to ditch any notion of form over function. All that changed with the arrival of more stylish people carriers like the Vauxhall Zafira.

Now the Griffin brand has upped the style stakes still further with last month's launch of the new Zafira, but there will always be those who crave for more.

Well, not to worry. Vauxhall has created a styling pack to ensure that its latest MPV gets as many second looks for style as it wins points for practicality.

The pack consists of a rear lower skirt, rear roof spoiler, side sills and front lower spoiler. It can be supplied and fitted by Vauxhall retailers in any one of the new Zafira's body colours for £1305.

A wide range of practical accessories designed to protect your vehicle from daily wear and tear is also available for the new Zafira. These include a selection of floor mats from £19, a rear seat protection cover for £39, and load sill protective film (£26), which is a discreet but effective way of preventing the rear bumper being scratched when loading and unloading the vehicle.

As a family oriented vehicle, the new Zafira can be fitted with such useful accessories as a Dog Guard to ensure safe travelling space for both pets and passengers. There is also an accompanying Divider Grid to create valuable space for luggage without compromising the safety of all the family members on board.

All items can be purchased from any Vauxhall retailer or by shopping online at www.vauxhall.co.uk/accessories

Vauxhall is also launching a dockable DVD player for MPV and estate models that promises to provide the ultimate in in-car entertainment. Easily mounted to the roof lining, the system will keep the kids in the back amused for hours.

Specially designed for in-car use with enhanced brightness and shock proof construction, it can be removed when the journey ends to enable rear seat passengers to continue watching movies or cartoons at home or outdoors.

Suitable for the new Zafira and previous model plus Meriva, it can be fitted in less than an hour at any Vauxhall retailer for £695.

23/08/05

VX Racing Chase 100th Win at Knockhill

VX Racing looks toward to giving Vauxhall its one hundredth win in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Scottish circuit Knockhill on 27 and 28 August. Vauxhall has currently won 98 BTCC races, and the VX Racing team heads north of the border determined to seal the elusive century win after a difficult race weekend at the last event in Snetterton that saw a considerable points haul, but no wins. Vauxhall remain in the lead of the manufacturers championship, with Muller second in the drivers championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place. VX Racing currently lies second in the team championship.

Although Knockhill has proved a difficult track for VX Racing in the past, the new-for-2005 VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch has performed well at tracks with long corners and twists, and should suit the Fife track's narrow swoops and bends. At Croft and Mondello, two technical circuits, the car ran exceptionally well, and the team is optimistic that the accomplishments can be transferred over to the challenging Scottish circuit.

Yvan Muller put in a sterling performance at the last round at Snetterton to notch up one third and two fourth places despite struggling with reduced straightline speed, and goes to Knockhill having dropped only three points to current title leader, Neal. The Frenchman commented: "I am hopeful that the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch will be well-suited to Knockhill. We were down on power at Snetterton, but this is a much twistier track, and I am pleased with the progress we have made with the balance of the car through the turns and it is now a very good car to drive through the corners. Although there are only three events left this year, that is still nine races and lots of points. I'm not giving up until the chequered flag at the last race."

Colin Turkington currently holds fifth position in the drivers' championship, and looks to close the gap back to fourth-placed Jason Plato after some disappointing results at Snetterton. With only sixteen points separating the pair, Turkington could well take fourth with some strong finishes at Knockhill. The Ulsterman eagerly anticipates the race he views as his second 'home' race: "I went to University in Stirling, which is very close to Knockhill, and I lived only a short drive away. I'm really looking forward to it - especially with so many of my friends there."

Having been a close resident of the city, Turkington will also experience Edinburgh from a slightly different perspective as he drives the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch across the Forth Road Bridge as part of the pre-event promotion. "That will be awesome," Turkington extols, "The bridge is a national landmark, but to drive it in my race car is something else. As well as being a great experience for me, it's a good publicity opportunity for the city."

Third driver Gavin Smith has limited experience at Knockhill circuit, but he eagerly anticipates the event, keen to put the disappointment of Snetterton behind him, where he too was hampered by the lack of straightline speed. "Knockhill is a great track and I'm looking forward to the event. We're now in the final third of the season and I really want to end it on a high. I know I can do it, and I know the car is capable, so there is every reason to be confident. VX Racing is one of the most successful teams in the championship, and I want to help it stay that way."

Knockhill will host the eighth race weekend of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 27 and 28 August 2005. VX Racing is aiming to extend its lead in the manufacturers' championship and improve its standings in the drivers' and team championships.

Hot Facts

Colin Turkington holds the race lap record at Knockhill, setting a time of 54.845 secs in 2004 for MG Sport

In recent years, Knockhill has not yielded substantial rewards for VX Racing. In 2004 VX Racing picked up only one podium position, a third for James Thompson in race one, and a second and third for Thompson and Muller in 2003. However in 2001, the team picked up two wins, two seconds and two thirds

Colin Turkington has been taking full advantage of the three-week break between Snetterton and Knockhill. Whilst the British public have been avoiding the rainclouds, the Ulsterman has been enjoying the sunshine in Limassol, Cyprus

Yvan Muller celebrated his 35th birthday between Snetterton and Knockhill, on 16 August. He was born in 1969 in Altkirch, Eastern France

19/08/05

Seven Seats, 144mph and 240ps For Less Than £22,000!

" New Zafira VXR to cost just £21,995
" UK's fastest MPV on sale in October
" Order books open now

Being the coolest family on the block isn't going to break the bank - because the new Vauxhall Zafira VXR is set to offer value for money that's as strong as its performance!

Offering hot-hatch looks, performance and driving dynamics combined with the family-friendly flexibility of a seven-seat MPV, the newcomer is available to order now from £21,995, with first deliveries expected in October.

Vauxhall created the performance people carrier niche in 2002 with the sensational Zafira GSi - a car that rewrote the rulebook for what MPVs should and shouldn't be.

Now, the VXR promises to open up a whole new chapter. It costs just £220 more than its illustrious predecessor, but has an extra 40PS under the bonnet and Vauxhall's pioneering IDS-plus chassis technology as standard. Thanks to its 240PS, 320Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine which it shares with the Astra VXR, coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox, it can hit 60mph from a standstill in 7.2 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 144mph, making it the fastest production MPV in Britain.

To ensure that the car can be agile and responsive through the bends - even with the vastly differing load weights of between one and seven passengers - the innovative IDS-plus chassis with continuous damping control is fitted. Huge brakes (321mm discs at the front) with distinctive blue callipers ensure the VXR can stop safely and effectively, even when fully laden.

The hottest Zafira's dramatic look is underlined by the exterior styling, with the VXR trademark honeycomb grille, a larger front bumper with a central air intake and integrated fog lights. Deep side sill extensions lead to a new rear bumper incorporating twin trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes. A tailgate-topping spoiler and massive18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 ZR 18 tyres complete the look. If you still don't think the Zafira looks like the daddy, then supercar-sized 19-inch alloys are an affordable option at just £500.

The interior is equally dramatic to look at, although it still maintains the practicality Zafira drivers expect. Front seat occupants enjoy the comfort and support of Recaro sport seats in two-tone leather/fabric. Trim strips on the instrument and door panels are colour-coordinated to the seats, and the sports steering wheel and gearshift lever incorporate the VXR logo. Like its predecessor, the VXR uses the ingenious and easy-to-use Flex7 seating system which allows the Zafira to be turned from a seven to a six, five, four, three or two-seater in a matter of seconds without having to remove or stow away the seats.

On top of the already impressive standard equipment, buyers can specify options including Electronic Climate Control for just £250, a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone system for £300 and front and rear parking sensors, to protect that super cool paintwork, for £350.

08/08/05

VXR Treatment Takes New Vectra Past 160MPH

" Vauxhall creates Britain's fastest hatchback with awesome 255PS Vectra VXR
" New 2.8-litre V6 turbo powers family favourite to a supercar-rivalling 161mph
" On sale in November, priced at under £25,000

The Frankfurt motor show is sure to be packed full of exotic performance machinery, but no other hatchback will be able to offer the performance of the new Vectra VXR. The new model, which makes its debut at the German show on 12th September, has a top speed of 161mph - faster than many other super-saloons which cost twice the price.

Using an all-new 2.8-litre V6 turbo producing a massive 255PS and 320Nm of torque (236lb ft), Vauxhall's engineers have created the most powerful car in the class - and created a suitably dynamic big brother for the red-hot Astra VXR. With variable valve timing and a twin-scroll turbocharger, the V6 is supremely flexible too, taking the car from zero to 60mph in 6.6 seconds, and dispatching the 50-70mph sprint (in fifth gear) in just 7.6 seconds. A six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard.

Using the heavily revised chassis of the new Vectra range as its base, the VXR has been tuned even further to handle the engine's awesome power. A new evolution of Vauxhall's acclaimed IDS-plus system is used, making the Vectra the first production car from a mainstream manufacturer to feature the latest generation electronic damping control - comparable systems are currently only available on a handful of low-volume supercars. The sophisticated system minimises body movements exceptionally quickly with the help of two separate processing modules. The result is a noticeable enhancement in body roll prevention and damper control while still maintaining the Vectra's legendary ride comfort.

The brakes are the largest fitted to any production Vauxhall too, with massive 345mm diameter discs at the front, and 292mm at the rear. These provide ultra-powerful deceleration from high speeds and precise feel through the pedal.

When it came to designing the exterior, the stylists made the Vectra VXR look purposeful without being overly aggressive. The front end features a deeper front bumper incorporating the VXR trademark honeycomb mesh and a body coloured 'V'' grille which is unique to Vauxhall's flagship performance models. At the rear, a subtle rear spoiler, pair of trapezoidal tailpipes and lowered bumper hint at the performance without being too ostentatious, while the side profile is accentuated with large 18-inch alloys. As with the Astra VXR, 19-inch rims will be available.

But the most irresistible part of the Vectra VXR will be the price. With an expected cost of well under £25,000, it aggressively undercuts far less powerful rivals from mainstream manufacturers while making so-called 'prestige' marques' offerings look massively overpriced and underpowered.

Sales of the Vectra VXR hatchback will begin in November, and it is rumoured an estate version is under consideration, which could appear in the UK as early as spring 2006.

08/08/05

Podium Finish Small Consolation for VX Racing at Snetterton

Snetterton, 7 August 2005.../Snetterton proved to be a challenge for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch this weekend in the seventh event of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with its long straights not suiting this year's new car, but Yvan Muller used all his racing prowess to bring home the only podium of the day for VX Racing, with a third place finish in the final race of the day. Muller's trophy winning finish rounded off consistent performances for the Frenchman with two fourth place finishes in the first and second races of the day. Young VX Racing driver, Colin Turkington, had mixed results with two seventh place finishes and a DNF due to mechanical problems. Gavin Smith also turned in solid performances with ninth, eleventh and eighth place finishes in races one, two and three respectively. With additional points for fastest lap times in the second and third races, Muller stays second in the drivers championship and with all three drivers adding to the points tally, Vauxhall remain in the lead of the manufacturers championship.

Saturday's qualifying session resulted in Muller as the lead VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch lying in fourth place on the grid for the first race, with Turkington lining up alongside him in fifth and Smith further back on the fifth row in ninth place. These start positions reflected the pace of the VX Racing team, as Muller summed up after the first race and finishing in fourth, "I think that was the best we could do. Our car is good through the corners but not quick enough down the straights. It is not a problem with the engine, it is more that the car is wide. We lose about two to three kph on the straight - it's not much, but it's too much."

Teammate Turkington started well, shadowing Muller and settling into fourth place until running wide on the last lap, which ended with the Irishman taking an excursion across the grass, some engine damage and a seventh place finish. Smith, meanwhile, started from ninth, moved up in the opening laps, but fell back to ninth in the closing stages.

In the second race, reduced ballast for Muller and Turkington was expected to help the straightline speed of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, but neither driver was able to improve on their race one finish position. Muller held third spot for most of the race but on the last lap a tap on the rear bumper from championship leader, Matt Neal, challenging from behind sent Muller wide and Neal slipped through to take away the podium position. Turkington was unable to improve on his seventh place start position, saying after finishing seventh: "We are still struggling for overall pace as we don't have the straightline speed. I hope to take advantage of the reverse grid for the third race to start near the front, and hope we can stay there!" Smith, after losing ground to the hard-charging SEATs was unable to claim tenth for the third race pole and forced to settle for eleventh.

The reverse grid for the final race gave Turkington a fourth place start, with Muller in seventh and Smith eleventh. Muller, with less ballast, was able to challenge the leaders from the start, quickly moving to second before dropping back to third which he was able to hold until the chequered flag. Behind Muller, Turkington was pushing hard until a broken sump put him out of the race after eight laps. Smith enjoyed the best result of the day for him with an eighth place finish. Smith reflected, "It was my best finish of the day but the circuit didn't really suit our car. I hope I can improve at Knockhill which should be more favourable."

VX Racing team manager, Ian Harrison, added, "We knew it was going to be hard here, it's our worst circuit, but Yvan has only lost three points to Matt Neal, which is pretty good. Yvan did a brilliant job, exactly what we expected of him. All in all I'm glad to have this one out of the way and get to some circuits where we can win." VX Racing leaves Snetterton lying first in the manufacturers championship and second in the team championship, with Muller second in the drivers championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place.

The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the first year of competition for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple-title winning success of the past four years and continues its title hunt at the next round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill on 28 August.

01/08/05

Astra Twintop - It's Three Piece Sweet!

" Folding hard top for latest convertible Astra
" Unique three section roof allows stylish lines and spacious interior
" On sale from spring 2006

Vauxhall has lifted the lid on the latest version of its new Astra - the stunning TwinTop.

Using the latest in roof technology, the folding hard top is composed of three main parts instead of the two used by rivals. This means there are far fewer compromises to the car's rear-end looks and interior space, and the TwinTop retains all the style and grace for which the Astra range has become renowned.

At the press of a button, the two overhead sections of the roof stack on top of the rear window to fold away neatly into a compact space under the rear tonneau. The result is a practical four-seater open top for enjoying the summer sun, coupled to the practicality, security and refinement of a snug four-seater coupe in less clement weather.

Set to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the newcomer will go on sale in spring 2006. It will come with a choice of four engines, including Vauxhall's acclaimed 150PS 1.9-litre performance diesel.

Entry-level versions will use the 105bhp 1.6-litre Twinport petrol engine, while other petrol choices will include an all-new fuel efficient 1.8-litre 140PS unit. The flagship model uses the storming 200PS 2.0-litre Turbo from the Astra SRi.

The newcomer will build on Vauxhall's reputation for stylish design inside too, with new trims and upholstery which will be exclusive to the TwinTop model.

Rather than being a 'chop-top' the Astra has been designed from the ground up to be a convertible, and as such has an exceptionally rigid bodyshell. In addition to preserving the hatchback model's exceptional safety record, this also ensures its acclaimed driving dynamics are also maintained.

Prices for the TwinTop will be announced closer to the on sale date, but in common with other models in the Vauxhall stable are expected to offer great value for money.

08/08/05

Podium Finish Small Consolation for VX Racing at Snetterton

Snetterton, 7 August 2005.../Snetterton proved to be a challenge for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch this weekend in the seventh event of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with its long straights not suiting this year's new car, but Yvan Muller used all his racing prowess to bring home the only podium of the day for VX Racing, with a third place finish in the final race of the day. Muller's trophy winning finish rounded off consistent performances for the Frenchman with two fourth place finishes in the first and second races of the day. Young VX Racing driver, Colin Turkington, had mixed results with two seventh place finishes and a DNF due to mechanical problems. Gavin Smith also turned in solid performances with ninth, eleventh and eighth place finishes in races one, two and three respectively. With additional points for fastest lap times in the second and third races, Muller stays second in the drivers championship and with all three drivers adding to the points tally, Vauxhall remain in the lead of the manufacturers championship.

Saturday's qualifying session resulted in Muller as the lead VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch lying in fourth place on the grid for the first race, with Turkington lining up alongside him in fifth and Smith further back on the fifth row in ninth place. These start positions reflected the pace of the VX Racing team, as Muller summed up after the first race and finishing in fourth, "I think that was the best we could do. Our car is good through the corners but not quick enough down the straights. It is not a problem with the engine, it is more that the car is wide. We lose about two to three kph on the straight - it's not much, but it's too much."

Teammate Turkington started well, shadowing Muller and settling into fourth place until running wide on the last lap, which ended with the Irishman taking an excursion across the grass, some engine damage and a seventh place finish. Smith, meanwhile, started from ninth, moved up in the opening laps, but fell back to ninth in the closing stages.

In the second race, reduced ballast for Muller and Turkington was expected to help the straightline speed of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, but neither driver was able to improve on their race one finish position. Muller held third spot for most of the race but on the last lap a tap on the rear bumper from championship leader, Matt Neal, challenging from behind sent Muller wide and Neal slipped through to take away the podium position. Turkington was unable to improve on his seventh place start position, saying after finishing seventh: "We are still struggling for overall pace as we don't have the straightline speed. I hope to take advantage of the reverse grid for the third race to start near the front, and hope we can stay there!" Smith, after losing ground to the hard-charging SEATs was unable to claim tenth for the third race pole and forced to settle for eleventh.

The reverse grid for the final race gave Turkington a fourth place start, with Muller in seventh and Smith eleventh. Muller, with less ballast, was able to challenge the leaders from the start, quickly moving to second before dropping back to third which he was able to hold until the chequered flag. Behind Muller, Turkington was pushing hard until a broken sump put him out of the race after eight laps. Smith enjoyed the best result of the day for him with an eighth place finish. Smith reflected, "It was my best finish of the day but the circuit didn't really suit our car. I hope I can improve at Knockhill which should be more favourable."

VX Racing team manager, Ian Harrison, added, "We knew it was going to be hard here, it's our worst circuit, but Yvan has only lost three points to Matt Neal, which is pretty good. Yvan did a brilliant job, exactly what we expected of him. All in all I'm glad to have this one out of the way and get to some circuits where we can win." VX Racing leaves Snetterton lying first in the manufacturers championship and second in the team championship, with Muller second in the drivers championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place.

The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the first year of competition for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple-title winning success of the past four years and continues its title hunt at the next round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill on 28 August.

01/08/05

Astra Twintop - It's Three Piece Sweet!

" Folding hard top for latest convertible Astra
" Unique three section roof allows stylish lines and spacious interior
" On sale from spring 2006

Vauxhall has lifted the lid on the latest version of its new Astra - the stunning TwinTop.

Using the latest in roof technology, the folding hard top is composed of three main parts instead of the two used by rivals. This means there are far fewer compromises to the car's rear-end looks and interior space, and the TwinTop retains all the style and grace for which the Astra range has become renowned.

At the press of a button, the two overhead sections of the roof stack on top of the rear window to fold away neatly into a compact space under the rear tonneau. The result is a practical four-seater open top for enjoying the summer sun, coupled to the practicality, security and refinement of a snug four-seater coupe in less clement weather.

Set to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the newcomer will go on sale in spring 2006. It will come with a choice of four engines, including Vauxhall's acclaimed 150PS 1.9-litre performance diesel.

Entry-level versions will use the 105bhp 1.6-litre Twinport petrol engine, while other petrol choices will include an all-new fuel efficient 1.8-litre 140PS unit. The flagship model uses the storming 200PS 2.0-litre Turbo from the Astra SRi.

The newcomer will build on Vauxhall's reputation for stylish design inside too, with new trims and upholstery which will be exclusive to the TwinTop model.

Rather than being a 'chop-top' the Astra has been designed from the ground up to be a convertible, and as such has an exceptionally rigid bodyshell. In addition to preserving the hatchback model's exceptional safety record, this also ensures its acclaimed driving dynamics are also maintained.

Prices for the TwinTop will be announced closer to the on sale date, but in common with other models in the Vauxhall stable are expected to offer great value for money.

23/08/05

VX Racing Chase 100th Win at Knockhill

VX Racing looks toward to giving Vauxhall its one hundredth win in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Scottish circuit Knockhill on 27 and 28 August. Vauxhall has currently won 98 BTCC races, and the VX Racing team heads north of the border determined to seal the elusive century win after a difficult race weekend at the last event in Snetterton that saw a considerable points haul, but no wins. Vauxhall remain in the lead of the manufacturers championship, with Muller second in the drivers championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place. VX Racing currently lies second in the team championship.

Although Knockhill has proved a difficult track for VX Racing in the past, the new-for-2005 VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch has performed well at tracks with long corners and twists, and should suit the Fife track's narrow swoops and bends. At Croft and Mondello, two technical circuits, the car ran exceptionally well, and the team is optimistic that the accomplishments can be transferred over to the challenging Scottish circuit.

Yvan Muller put in a sterling performance at the last round at Snetterton to notch up one third and two fourth places despite struggling with reduced straightline speed, and goes to Knockhill having dropped only three points to current title leader, Neal. The Frenchman commented: "I am hopeful that the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch will be well-suited to Knockhill. We were down on power at Snetterton, but this is a much twistier track, and I am pleased with the progress we have made with the balance of the car through the turns and it is now a very good car to drive through the corners. Although there are only three events left this year, that is still nine races and lots of points. I'm not giving up until the chequered flag at the last race."

Colin Turkington currently holds fifth position in the drivers' championship, and looks to close the gap back to fourth-placed Jason Plato after some disappointing results at Snetterton. With only sixteen points separating the pair, Turkington could well take fourth with some strong finishes at Knockhill. The Ulsterman eagerly anticipates the race he views as his second 'home' race: "I went to University in Stirling, which is very close to Knockhill, and I lived only a short drive away. I'm really looking forward to it - especially with so many of my friends there."

Having been a close resident of the city, Turkington will also experience Edinburgh from a slightly different perspective as he drives the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch across the Forth Road Bridge as part of the pre-event promotion. "That will be awesome," Turkington extols, "The bridge is a national landmark, but to drive it in my race car is something else. As well as being a great experience for me, it's a good publicity opportunity for the city."

Third driver Gavin Smith has limited experience at Knockhill circuit, but he eagerly anticipates the event, keen to put the disappointment of Snetterton behind him, where he too was hampered by the lack of straightline speed. "Knockhill is a great track and I'm looking forward to the event. We're now in the final third of the season and I really want to end it on a high. I know I can do it, and I know the car is capable, so there is every reason to be confident. VX Racing is one of the most successful teams in the championship, and I want to help it stay that way."

Knockhill will host the eighth race weekend of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 27 and 28 August 2005. VX Racing is aiming to extend its lead in the manufacturers' championship and improve its standings in the drivers' and team championships.

Hot Facts

Colin Turkington holds the race lap record at Knockhill, setting a time of 54.845 secs in 2004 for MG Sport

In recent years, Knockhill has not yielded substantial rewards for VX Racing. In 2004 VX Racing picked up only one podium position, a third for James Thompson in race one, and a second and third for Thompson and Muller in 2003. However in 2001, the team picked up two wins, two seconds and two thirds

Colin Turkington has been taking full advantage of the three-week break between Snetterton and Knockhill. Whilst the British public have been avoiding the rainclouds, the Ulsterman has been enjoying the sunshine in Limassol, Cyprus

Yvan Muller celebrated his 35th birthday between Snetterton and Knockhill, on 16 August. He was born in 1969 in Altkirch, Eastern France

19/08/05

Seven Seats, 144mph and 240ps For Less Than £22,000!

" New Zafira VXR to cost just £21,995
" UK's fastest MPV on sale in October
" Order books open now

Being the coolest family on the block isn't going to break the bank - because the new Vauxhall Zafira VXR is set to offer value for money that's as strong as its performance!

Offering hot-hatch looks, performance and driving dynamics combined with the family-friendly flexibility of a seven-seat MPV, the newcomer is available to order now from £21,995, with first deliveries expected in October.

Vauxhall created the performance people carrier niche in 2002 with the sensational Zafira GSi - a car that rewrote the rulebook for what MPVs should and shouldn't be.

Now, the VXR promises to open up a whole new chapter. It costs just £220 more than its illustrious predecessor, but has an extra 40PS under the bonnet and Vauxhall's pioneering IDS-plus chassis technology as standard. Thanks to its 240PS, 320Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine which it shares with the Astra VXR, coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox, it can hit 60mph from a standstill in 7.2 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 144mph, making it the fastest production MPV in Britain.

To ensure that the car can be agile and responsive through the bends - even with the vastly differing load weights of between one and seven passengers - the innovative IDS-plus chassis with continuous damping control is fitted. Huge brakes (321mm discs at the front) with distinctive blue callipers ensure the VXR can stop safely and effectively, even when fully laden.

The hottest Zafira's dramatic look is underlined by the exterior styling, with the VXR trademark honeycomb grille, a larger front bumper with a central air intake and integrated fog lights. Deep side sill extensions lead to a new rear bumper incorporating twin trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes. A tailgate-topping spoiler and massive18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 ZR 18 tyres complete the look. If you still don't think the Zafira looks like the daddy, then supercar-sized 19-inch alloys are an affordable option at just £500.

The interior is equally dramatic to look at, although it still maintains the practicality Zafira drivers expect. Front seat occupants enjoy the comfort and support of Recaro sport seats in two-tone leather/fabric. Trim strips on the instrument and door panels are colour-coordinated to the seats, and the sports steering wheel and gearshift lever incorporate the VXR logo. Like its predecessor, the VXR uses the ingenious and easy-to-use Flex7 seating system which allows the Zafira to be turned from a seven to a six, five, four, three or two-seater in a matter of seconds without having to remove or stow away the seats.

On top of the already impressive standard equipment, buyers can specify options including Electronic Climate Control for just £250, a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone system for £300 and front and rear parking sensors, to protect that super cool paintwork, for £350.

08/08/05

VXR Treatment Takes New Vectra Past 160MPH

" Vauxhall creates Britain's fastest hatchback with awesome 255PS Vectra VXR
" New 2.8-litre V6 turbo powers family favourite to a supercar-rivalling 161mph
" On sale in November, priced at under £25,000

The Frankfurt motor show is sure to be packed full of exotic performance machinery, but no other hatchback will be able to offer the performance of the new Vectra VXR. The new model, which makes its debut at the German show on 12th September, has a top speed of 161mph - faster than many other super-saloons which cost twice the price.

Using an all-new 2.8-litre V6 turbo producing a massive 255PS and 320Nm of torque (236lb ft), Vauxhall's engineers have created the most powerful car in the class - and created a suitably dynamic big brother for the red-hot Astra VXR. With variable valve timing and a twin-scroll turbocharger, the V6 is supremely flexible too, taking the car from zero to 60mph in 6.6 seconds, and dispatching the 50-70mph sprint (in fifth gear) in just 7.6 seconds. A six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard.

Using the heavily revised chassis of the new Vectra range as its base, the VXR has been tuned even further to handle the engine's awesome power. A new evolution of Vauxhall's acclaimed IDS-plus system is used, making the Vectra the first production car from a mainstream manufacturer to feature the latest generation electronic damping control - comparable systems are currently only available on a handful of low-volume supercars. The sophisticated system minimises body movements exceptionally quickly with the help of two separate processing modules. The result is a noticeable enhancement in body roll prevention and damper control while still maintaining the Vectra's legendary ride comfort.

The brakes are the largest fitted to any production Vauxhall too, with massive 345mm diameter discs at the front, and 292mm at the rear. These provide ultra-powerful deceleration from high speeds and precise feel through the pedal.

When it came to designing the exterior, the stylists made the Vectra VXR look purposeful without being overly aggressive. The front end features a deeper front bumper incorporating the VXR trademark honeycomb mesh and a body coloured 'V'' grille which is unique to Vauxhall's flagship performance models. At the rear, a subtle rear spoiler, pair of trapezoidal tailpipes and lowered bumper hint at the performance without being too ostentatious, while the side profile is accentuated with large 18-inch alloys. As with the Astra VXR, 19-inch rims will be available.

But the most irresistible part of the Vectra VXR will be the price. With an expected cost of well under £25,000, it aggressively undercuts far less powerful rivals from mainstream manufacturers while making so-called 'prestige' marques' offerings look massively overpriced and underpowered.

Sales of the Vectra VXR hatchback will begin in November, and it is rumoured an estate version is under consideration, which could appear in the UK as early as spring 2006.

08/08/05

Podium Finish Small Consolation for VX Racing at Snetterton

Snetterton, 7 August 2005.../Snetterton proved to be a challenge for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch this weekend in the seventh event of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with its long straights not suiting this year's new car, but Yvan Muller used all his racing prowess to bring home the only podium of the day for VX Racing, with a third place finish in the final race of the day. Muller's trophy winning finish rounded off consistent performances for the Frenchman with two fourth place finishes in the first and second races of the day. Young VX Racing driver, Colin Turkington, had mixed results with two seventh place finishes and a DNF due to mechanical problems. Gavin Smith also turned in solid performances with ninth, eleventh and eighth place finishes in races one, two and three respectively. With additional points for fastest lap times in the second and third races, Muller stays second in the drivers championship and with all three drivers adding to the points tally, Vauxhall remain in the lead of the manufacturers championship.

Saturday's qualifying session resulted in Muller as the lead VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch lying in fourth place on the grid for the first race, with Turkington lining up alongside him in fifth and Smith further back on the fifth row in ninth place. These start positions reflected the pace of the VX Racing team, as Muller summed up after the first race and finishing in fourth, "I think that was the best we could do. Our car is good through the corners but not quick enough down the straights. It is not a problem with the engine, it is more that the car is wide. We lose about two to three kph on the straight - it's not much, but it's too much."

Teammate Turkington started well, shadowing Muller and settling into fourth place until running wide on the last lap, which ended with the Irishman taking an excursion across the grass, some engine damage and a seventh place finish. Smith, meanwhile, started from ninth, moved up in the opening laps, but fell back to ninth in the closing stages.

In the second race, reduced ballast for Muller and Turkington was expected to help the straightline speed of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, but neither driver was able to improve on their race one finish position. Muller held third spot for most of the race but on the last lap a tap on the rear bumper from championship leader, Matt Neal, challenging from behind sent Muller wide and Neal slipped through to take away the podium position. Turkington was unable to improve on his seventh place start position, saying after finishing seventh: "We are still struggling for overall pace as we don't have the straightline speed. I hope to take advantage of the reverse grid for the third race to start near the front, and hope we can stay there!" Smith, after losing ground to the hard-charging SEATs was unable to claim tenth for the third race pole and forced to settle for eleventh.

The reverse grid for the final race gave Turkington a fourth place start, with Muller in seventh and Smith eleventh. Muller, with less ballast, was able to challenge the leaders from the start, quickly moving to second before dropping back to third which he was able to hold until the chequered flag. Behind Muller, Turkington was pushing hard until a broken sump put him out of the race after eight laps. Smith enjoyed the best result of the day for him with an eighth place finish. Smith reflected, "It was my best finish of the day but the circuit didn't really suit our car. I hope I can improve at Knockhill which should be more favourable."

VX Racing team manager, Ian Harrison, added, "We knew it was going to be hard here, it's our worst circuit, but Yvan has only lost three points to Matt Neal, which is pretty good. Yvan did a brilliant job, exactly what we expected of him. All in all I'm glad to have this one out of the way and get to some circuits where we can win." VX Racing leaves Snetterton lying first in the manufacturers championship and second in the team championship, with Muller second in the drivers championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place.

The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the first year of competition for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple-title winning success of the past four years and continues its title hunt at the next round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill on 28 August.

01/08/05

Astra Twintop - It's Three Piece Sweet!

" Folding hard top for latest convertible Astra
" Unique three section roof allows stylish lines and spacious interior
" On sale from spring 2006

Vauxhall has lifted the lid on the latest version of its new Astra - the stunning TwinTop.

Using the latest in roof technology, the folding hard top is composed of three main parts instead of the two used by rivals. This means there are far fewer compromises to the car's rear-end looks and interior space, and the TwinTop retains all the style and grace for which the Astra range has become renowned.

At the press of a button, the two overhead sections of the roof stack on top of the rear window to fold away neatly into a compact space under the rear tonneau. The result is a practical four-seater open top for enjoying the summer sun, coupled to the practicality, security and refinement of a snug four-seater coupe in less clement weather.

Set to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the newcomer will go on sale in spring 2006. It will come with a choice of four engines, including Vauxhall's acclaimed 150PS 1.9-litre performance diesel.

Entry-level versions will use the 105bhp 1.6-litre Twinport petrol engine, while other petrol choices will include an all-new fuel efficient 1.8-litre 140PS unit. The flagship model uses the storming 200PS 2.0-litre Turbo from the Astra SRi.

The newcomer will build on Vauxhall's reputation for stylish design inside too, with new trims and upholstery which will be exclusive to the TwinTop model.

Rather than being a 'chop-top' the Astra has been designed from the ground up to be a convertible, and as such has an exceptionally rigid bodyshell. In addition to preserving the hatchback model's exceptional safety record, this also ensures its acclaimed driving dynamics are also maintained.

Prices for the TwinTop will be announced closer to the on sale date, but in common with other models in the Vauxhall stable are expected to offer great value for money.

29/07/05

VX Racing on a High As BTCC Returns to the UK

VX Racing heads back to the UK for round seven of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton on 7 August confident in its race-winning form. An outstanding performance at the last round at Mondello Park, with three out of three wins, saw VX Racing regain its accustomed dominance on track. The team now move to the Norfolk track eager to concrete its lead in the manufacturers' championship and make up ground in the drivers' and team championships.

VX Racing has an impeccable pedigree at Snetterton. The team has qualified on pole for every BTCC event held at the circuit since 2001, and finished on the podium in every race, bar one, for the last four years. Last year, VX Racing claimed the touring car lap record at the track in qualifying, and picked up two wins and two podium positions on the way to the triple-title success.

VX Racing returns to Snetterton confident it can uphold its record after five wins in the last six races. The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch is now mid-way through its first season of competition, and after some disappointing results in the early stages of development, is competitive and well- balanced through corners and bends.

Yvan Muller's two wins in Ireland closed the gap to the top of the drivers' championship to just 13 points, and with 15 points for a win, and four rounds remaining, the title chase could well go down to the wire: "The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch is now working very well and we have the balance and speed to stay at the front. The twisty sections at Snetterton should suit the car, although we may find it hard down the straights with the 36 kilos of ballast we are carrying. But it's very close in the championship, and we must fight to the end."

VX Racing new recruit Colin Turkington picked up his second win of the year in front of his home crowd in Mondello, and looks forward to the event in which he has previously picked up a good points haul. " Snetterton is a grand track, and the straights give lots of opportunities for slipstreaming into the corners at the end. I've had some good results there, and with the Astra Sport Hatch performing so well at the moment, I hope I can continue. VX Racing was determined to get back to its winning form of previous years, and now we've done it, we don't want to let it go!"

Although Gavin Smith has limited experience at the Norfolk circuit, he travels to Snetterton with renewed optimism following improvements in the balance of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch and encouraging races at Mondello Park, "I'm really looking forward to Snetterton. I now know I can challenge for positions and hope to get some good results, maybe even a podium. Anything is possible; we've made steps in the right direction, the balance is good and I feel confident in the car."

Snetterton will host the seventh race weekend of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 6 and 7 August 2005. VX Racing is aiming to extend its lead in the manufacturers' championship and improve its standings in the drivers' and team championships. The team is currently second in the team championship, with Muller second in the drivers' championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place.

Hot Facts

VX Racing holds both the qualifying and race lap records for the BTCC. In 2004 James Thompson set a time of one minute 11.588 seconds in qualifying, and went on to set the fastest lap in the race the next day, one minute 12.287 seconds

Yvan Muller has finished on the podium at Snetterton six times since 2001, but only once on the top step, in 2002 in the feature race

Colin Turkington does not expect his band of loyal fans at this round. At Mondello he was surprised when his friends from Stirling University sported ' Turkington No 6' t-shirts!

Gavin Smith makes his BTCC debut at Snetterton, although he has raced at the track previously, in 2002 he competed in the Formula 3 races at the track

28/07/05

Timely Exhaust Offer from Vauxhall Masterfit

A special MasterFit offer on exhausts could come as welcome news for more than three million owners of Vauxhall cars and vans first registered in the peak sales months of August and September 1993-2002 as they prepare for their annual MOT inspection.

From the manifold to the tailpipe, the exhaust system and its ability to prevent harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere, is a key element of the annual MOT test. Yet the condition of this vital component is frequently overlooked by many car owners.

Participating Vauxhall MasterFit centres nationwide are offering exhaust replacement parts for a wide range of current and older Vauxhall models at reduced prices from this month (August), starting with a rear silencer and tailpipe for a Corsa B (93-01) supplied and fitted from just £35 including VAT.

Other bargain prices are available for popular Astra and Vectra models.

As all MasterFit Centres operate a drive-in service with long opening hours and no appointment necessary, the fitting of a replacement exhaust could not be easier. Regardless of model or vehicle age, Vauxhall MasterFit will have a quality exhaust designed specifically for your Vauxhall, guaranteed to fit first time.

All work comes with a no nonsense guarantee of standards of workmanship only undertaken by Vauxhall-trained technicians using parts approved by the vehicle manufacturer, and Vauxhall replacement exhausts come with a two year warranty.

Before work is undertaken at any MasterFit Centre, customers are given a free visual vehicle condition report. This ensures that car owners have a clear understanding of the condition of components such as exhausts, and no work arising from the report is undertaken without customer authorisation.

"With a vast number of Vauxhall cars approaching their annual MOT test in September, there could not be a better time for owners to take advantage of this special offer on exhausts," says Vauxhall MasterFit brand manager Neil Hunt.

25/07/05

Three Out Of Three for VX Racing at Mondello Park

Mondello Park, 24 July 2005.../ VX Racing continued its winning form this weekend at Mondello Park in Ireland, in the sixth event of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with two wins for Yvan Muller and one for Colin Turkington. The wins allowed Muller to close the gap to the top of the drivers' championship and strengthen Vauxhall's lead in the manufacturers' championship. Turkington also claimed fourth and fifth place finishes, while Gavin Smith in the third VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch had an encouraging weekend with sixth and seventh place finishes, although a puncture prematurely ended his challenge in the second race.

Saturday's qualifying session resulted in Muller starting the first of the day's three races from pole position, with Turkington in second place and Smith in eighth. Taking to the track for the first time in the weekend in dry conditions, Muller was quick off the line and led from lights to flag.

Muller, buoyed by the continuing development of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, commented: "It was a good race. I was focussed on getting a good start and I pushed very hard for the first eight laps then backed off towards the end to keep the car in good shape. The car has improved and I am pleased with the win."

Team mate Turkington crossed the in fourth place after experiencing under-steer that hampered his speed, whilst Smith made steady progress after losing a couple of places in the early stages to bring the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch home in seventh place.

In the second race, tyre choice was critical on a drying track and ultimately affected the finishing position of all three VX Racing drivers. Muller opted for all slicks while Turkington and Smith went for slicks on the front and wets on the rear. As the lights went out, Muller struggled to get off the line quickly from pole position and settled into second behind Tom Chilton. At the end of the first lap Muller darted into the pits to take the 30-second stop go penalty given for the team working on the car after the three-minute board, leaving him at the very back of the field.

Turkington had a good start and had claimed second place by the end of lap two and was leading from Chilton by the end of lap three. The Ulsterman held the lead until the end of the race to take his second victory for the VX Racing team. After charging up to fifth position Smith's race ended early with just two laps to go when a puncture forced him off track and into a gravel trap.

An ecstatic Turkington commented after the race, "I'm delighted with my second win for VX Racing, especially for it to come at Mondello. It was a risk before the race to decide on which tyres to use, but we made the right choice of slicks on the front and wets on the rear. After the first win, I wanted more, and set out to win today."

The reverse grid for the final race did nothing to halt VX Racing's domination, as Muller won for the second time today to claim his fifth win of the 2005 season. Turkington posted a fifth place finish and VX Racing team mate Smith finished just behind in sixth.

Muller started the race in fifth, with Turkington tenth and Smith fourteenth. Muller gained two places at the start and spent almost the entire first lap side-by-side with Jason Plato as the old rivals duelled for position. Muller finally managed to make the move stick, passed Plato, and immediately began to hunt down Tom Chilton and the lead. Muller finally took the lead on lap six after breaking the lap record on lap two with a time of one minute 46.510 seconds.

Smith and Turkington were in the thick of the action right from the start and traded places with many in the field. After the deployment of the safety car for debris on the track, which did nothing to stop Muller's progress, Turkington and Smith finished fifth and sixth respectively for valuable championship points.

Smith was thrilled with the progress and development of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, "The car is working very well now. We found the problem and now the car is well-balanced; credit to the team, as it was hidden pretty deep! I feel a lot more confident in the car, and can now challenge for positions rather than hold them."

VX Racing's operations manager Mike Nicholson was pleased with the overall progress in performance this weekend, "Ireland has been very kind to us. At Croft we were competitive, but we came here not really knowing what to expect. We had a very wet qualifying and didn't have any set-up for the dry, but we got it right and the cars have been superb. Yvan drove brilliantly and Colin has done fantastically well, while Gavin has improved tremendously. A fantastic weekend all round, and we look forward to the next round at Snetterton."

VX Racing leaves Mondello Park lying first in the manufacturers' championship and second in the team championship, with Muller second in the drivers' championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place.

The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the first year of competition for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple-title winning success of the past four years and continues its title hunt at the next round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton on 7 August.

25/07/05

Million-Mile Test Drive A Runaway Success

" Innovative three-day test drive programme a huge hit with buyers
" 71 per cent of customers have more positive view of Vauxhall
" 550,000 drivers across Europe take the wheel
" 90 per cent of drivers admire Astra Sport Hatch's style

Vauxhall's innovative three-day test drive programme turned out to be a rip-roaring success, with over 50,000 British drivers and 550,000 customers across Europe visiting their local dealer to take advantage of extra time behind the wheel.

Of those interviewed, 90 per cent said their decision to visit the dealership was influenced by the three-day test drive opportunity, and more than seven out of ten drivers came away saying they were more positive about Vauxhall cars as a result.

The move comes as Vauxhall enjoys an increased market share and strong sales, due largely to the stylish design and driving dynamics of innovative new models such as New Zafira and Astra Sport Hatch. Vauxhall's retail sales are up 1.3 per cent over the same period last year, despite a decline of more than 16 per cent across the rest of the new car market.

Almost half of those who took up the three-day test drive in the UK were under the age of 40, with 30 per cent of the total number of participants in the 30-39 age group. A total of 27 per cent were looking to buy a new car within the next month, while more than half were looking to replace their car in the next three months.

The most popular Vauxhall model during the programme, which ran from April until the end of June, was the Astra Sport Hatch, accounting for 27 per cent of overall test drives. Astra 5-door and Zafira accounted for 22 per cent of the total each.

The programme also highlighted some interesting differences between the sexes, with over half of male drivers surveyed claiming they were most impressed by the ride quality and handling of the current crop of Vauxhalls, while the most popular features with female buyers were value for money and comfort. Both sexes were agreed on one thing though, and that was an appreciation of the styling, with almost 90 per cent of those who test drove an Astra Sport Hatch saying they were impressed by the looks.

20/07/05

VX Racing Confident In Performance Heading To Mondello Park

VX Racing crosses the Irish Sea for rounds 16, 17 and 18 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Mondello Park, County Kildare, this weekend, 23 and 24 July. The team embarks on the long trip fresh from a successful race meeting at Croft and is confident it can transfer the dominant performance to the similar twisty Mondello Park circuit.

The Irish circuit is lucky for VX Racing, in 2004 the team picked up one win, two second places and one third. This year, with the new VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, the team is aiming for a repeat of previous successes.

For VX Racing driver Colin Turkington, the event is something of a 'home' race. Turkington lives in Portadown, Northern Ireland, and many of his friends and family will be making the short hop down to see the Ulsterman in action. But there are further reasons for Turkington, 23, to relish the championship's only visit to the Emerald Isle - in 2004, he scored his only win of the season at Mondello.

Turkington is confident going into the weekend; "Mondello is probably my favourite event of the year as I have lots of people I know at the track. The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch worked well at the last event and hopefully we can transfer this over to Mondello. Both circuits are quite twisty and very technical, so I'll be hoping for a repeat of the podium finishes at the very least. I came to VX Racing to win, now I've got one under my belt I want more!"

VX Racing's third driver, Dubliner Gavin Smith, relishes the thought of participating in Britain's premier motor racing series in front of his home crowd at the wheel of the race-winning VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch; "Mondello is a great track and only about 40 minutes from where I live, so I hope to have a lot of local support! I've had good results there, in fact my first ever car race was on the old circuit in 1998. With every race and practice session, we understand the new VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch more, and it's now only small adjustments we need to make to the balance. At Mondello we'll be looking to get some strong finishes and add to the VX Racing points tally."

Yvan Muller, currently third in the drivers' championship, has considerable experience at the Irish track, and last year claimed pole position and one race win. In 2003 he notched up two second places on his way to the drivers' title. His recent win and second place finish at Croft closed the gap to the top of the drivers' championship, and he is now less than 30 points adrift of leader Matt Neal.

With 15 points for a win, the championship is far from over for Muller, "The strong results helped in the championship," commented the Frenchman, "And we still have half the season left. Morale is good and I hope we can keep it going. We're strong, but you don't know about the others and whether their developments will come in to play. Mondello is a good track for me, and I will focus on my race plan and continue to develop the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, not what the other teams are doing."

Mondello Park will host the sixth race weekend of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 23 and 24 July 2005. VX Racing is aiming to extend its lead in the manufacturers' championship and improve its standings in the drivers' and team championships. The team is currently second in the team championship, with Muller third in the drivers' championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place.

Hot Facts

Yvan Muller - Mondello maestro! The Frenchman has won four times in the last four years at the track and also holds the lap records for both qualifying and racing. In 2003, he set a 1 min 45.651 seconds lap for qualifying, and in 2002 lapped in 1 min 46.607 seconds during the race

Gavin Smith made his BTCC debut at Mondello in 2004 driving a Vauxhall Astra Coupe for GA Motorsports. He holds the lap record for the Fiat Uno championship on both the old and the new circuit configurations

Smith will be playing host to around 80 friends and relatives at Mondello this weekend - thankfully, not all of them are staying in his house!

Colin Turkington had never even been to Mondello Park until his first season of racing in 2002, and due to illness then and two engine blow-ups in 2003, he didn't actually complete a racing lap until 2004!

20/07/05

Hassle-Free Holidays with Special Roof Box Offer

If you are not sure how you are going to fit all the family kit into your Vauxhall this summer, a 20 per cent discount on roof boxes and cycle carriers from Vauxhall retailers should solve the problem.

Streamlined roof boxes that neatly fit on to a base carrier system have dramatically increased the load carrying capacity of family cars. Vauxhall's Traveller roof box has a 350 litre load capacity, yet weighs a mere 11 kg making it easy to install.

All roof boxes in Vauxhall's range are completely weatherproof. They feature a gas-assisted strut for easy access and a secure locking system. They are easily installed on a base carrier, which clamps on to the built-in roof rails fitted as standard to most estate cars and MPVs.

Until the end of September, all customers buying a base carrier from Vauxhall retailers throughout the UK will qualify for a 20 per cent discount on both Traveller roof boxes and Premium cycle carriers. This special offer brings the price of the roof box down to £183, and the bike carrier down to £51.

If you are preparing for a continental touring holiday, Vauxhall retailers will be able to help you plan a safe journey. A free Summer Travel Guide available from all Vauxhall showrooms outlines the wide range of mandatory and advisory accessories to cope with most emergencies.

From spare bulb kits, warning triangles and continental headlamp converters to first aid kits, fire extinguishers, spare fuel cans and temporary tyre repair kits, everything necessary for a trouble-free holiday can be purchased from your nearest Vauxhall retailer.

18/07/05

VX Racing Returns To Winning Ways At Croft

Croft, 17 July 2005.../ VX Racing returned to winning form this weekend at Croft, North Yorkshire, in round five of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with a win and a second place finish apiece for Colin Turkington and Yvan Muller. Gavin Smith again had a challenging weekend, but notched up valuable points with an eighth and seventh place in the first and second races, although a broken rear suspension curtailed his progress in the third race.

Saturday's qualifying sessions resulted in Turkington starting the first of the day's three races from pole position, with Muller behind him in third and Smith in the third VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch in seventh position. In an unusual first race, which was ended under the red flag two laps short of the full 15-lap race distance, Turkington scored his first race victory for VX Racing, and the third of his career.

A jubilant Turkington commented after the race: "I was nervous when the safety car came out as I thought Yvan would make a good restart and take the win, so I was relieved when I saw the red flag! It's brilliant to take my first win for VX Racing. The car was consistent and I didn't put it under too much pressure."

Team mate Muller crossed the line just behind the Ulsterman in second, whilst Smith held onto eighth despite strong challenges in the closing stages from James Kaye.

As the lights went out for race two, Muller once again had a flying start and was up into first position by the exit of the first corner. Turkington kept in touch with his team mate, but struggled slightly with the balance of the car due to the success ballast, but held on to take second. Muller gradually eased out a comfortable lead, and took the flag at the front of the field for VX Racing's second win of the day. Smith fought hard from eighth on the grid, and only lost out on sixth position after Neal sliced his way past in the closing stages.

Muller commented after the race, "I was very focussed on my start. I knew I had to make a good one to get an advantage over the first three laps. I got into the first corner in the lead and went as quickly as I could to bring out a gap, but at the same time to try and do the best laps I could. After about eight laps I slowed my pace to keep the tyres in shape and not put the car under too much pressure."

The reverse grid for the final race led to scant reward for VX Racing, with Turkington posting a seventh place finish and VX Racing team mate Muller finishing eighth. The run of bad luck that has blighted Smith's season continued as a broken rear suspension forced the Irishman to retire after an earlier clash with Kaye.

Muller was quick off the line to take ninth place from Turkington, who lost a further place to Jason Plato. Tense battles resulted as Muller and Turkington attempted to scythe through the field, but neither could find a way past sixth-placed Hines. In a last lap move, however, a bellicose Turkington squeezed past his French team mate to snatch seventh on the last lap after Muller slowed coming into Tower.

Smith was understandably disappointed with his race form, "It has been another terrible weekend for me. We have struggled with the car all weekend, right from the first practice session. Again, I'll have to put this one behind me and look forward to the next round at Mondello."

Team principal Ian Harrison was however pleased with the overall progress in performance this weekend, and looks forward to more of the same at Mondello Park next weekend. "It was a big improvement, but we've still got a lot of work to do. We went well here, and we didn't expect to, so when we go to Mondello we've got to keep an open mind about it. Some parts of the track are very similar to here, so hopefully we will be able to transfer some elements to the next event."

VX Racing leaves Croft lying first in the manufacturers' championship and second in the team championship, with Muller third in the drivers' championship, Turkington fifth and Smith in tenth place.

The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the first year of competition for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple-title winning success of the past four years and continues its title hunt at the next round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Mondello Park on 24 July.

15/07/05

VX Racing Learns a Lesson at Croft

VX Racing today played host to a party of children from Applegarth Primary School in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. The pupils visited VX Racing at Croft circuit as the team prepared for rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at the weekend.

The visit is part of a programme where a school local to the race track hosting a BTCC event is invited to experience the championship first-hand, with the aim of promoting the sport to a younger audience. Thirty-five pupils, aged between nine and ten, were given a tour of the VX Racing garages and watched at close hand as the team demonstrated how to change a wheel on the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. The highlight of the visit came when the children posed questions to, and collected autographs from, VX Racing drivers Yvan Muller, Colin Turkington and Gavin Smith.

Smith said: "The children really enjoyed their visit. It's good that Vauxhall, VX Racing and the BTCC provide the opportunity. If someone had given me a similar opportunity at school, it would have been the best school trip ever! Hopefully they will all come back to Croft this weekend with their families to watch the cars in action."

The VX Racing team arrived at the North Yorkshire circuit fresh from a BTCC showcase held on the streets of Newcastle last night (Thursday). Yvan Muller gave demonstration runs of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch along the Quayside, to the delight of the hoards of fans who gathered to see the action. Also watching the event were local rugby superstars Dave Walder, Hall Charlton and Tom May, players with Zurich Premiership side, the Newcastle Falcons. In an unusual sporting cross-over, all three players took rides in the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch alongside Muller.

VX Racing is aiming for top-three finishes in the races at Croft after a tough weekend at the track in 2004. The team's three drivers will be in action on Saturday for qualifying and on Sunday for three races, continuing the team's battle for the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

11/07/05

VX Racing Puts On A Show For Fans In The Run Up To Croft

VX Racing heads to Croft for rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, but not before stopping off in Newcastle to put on a spectacular display for fans. Former BTCC champion Yvan Muller takes the wheel of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch to blast along the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside, with team mates Colin Turkington and Gavin Smith on hand to meet the fans and sign autographs.

The street demonstration takes place at 6pm on Thursday 14 July, just two days before the Croft race weekend, and provides fans with the opportunity to meet the VX Racing drivers and see the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars in close proximity. As well as the exhibition runs, the VX Racing team will also demonstrate a pit stop.

Muller is sure the event will be a success. "This is great for the fans," comments the Frenchman. "Instead of the people coming to a race track to see us, we are taking the excitement and thrills right to them on the city streets. Not only that, road cars are the inspiration and roots of the BTCC. The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch I drive on track is a development of the Vauxhall Astra road car, so it will be a fantastic experience to drive it on the streets."

The event is a preview to the race weekend at nearby Croft circuit, and VX Racing heads to the North Yorkshire track determined to put its, so far, mixed season behind it and return to the winning ways it has become accustomed to in recent years. VX Racing driver Turkington explains,"You never really know how the car will go until you get out on the track in the first practice session. We will be working hard during the free practice sessions to get the optimum set-up for both qualifying and the races. Croft is one of my favourite circuits and I usually get some decent results there, we're determined to improve our points tally."

Gavin Smith is also hungry for some good points finishes. A run of bad luck has curtailed his progress, but Smith and the VX Racing team will demonstrate the grit and dedication that has made VX Racing four time BTCC champions. "It has been frustrating so far this season, but that just makes us more determined than ever. The car is going well and we've had the speed, but mostly through bad luck we just haven't had the results. Croft is a challenging track, but we relish a challenge."

Croft will host rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 16 and 17 July 2005. VX Racing is aiming to extend its lead in the manufacturers' championship and improve its standings in the drivers' and team championships.

Hot Facts

VX Racing holds both the BTCC qualifying and the race lap records at Croft. James Thompson set both times in 2002, with the quickest qualifying time standing at 1m 25.267 secs and the race time at 1m 25.749 secs

VX Racing has won four of the nine races held at the circuit since 2001 and has claimed nine podium finishes

Colin Turkington has recently graduated from Stirling University with a degree in Business Studies. The Turkington family attended the graduation ceremony last weekend

In 2001 VX Racing scored a 1-2-3 finish in both races at Croft and was the only team on the podium for the entire weekend!

07/07/05

Vauxhall Cuts Cost Of Corsa For Summer

" Best ever deals take Corsas to under £7,000
" Customer savings of up to £1,840
" Free insurance, satnav and 0 percent finance offers
" Further hot summer deals on Astra and Zafira

Summer may be hotting up, but Vauxhall is keeping the cost of the best-selling Corsa cool with a raft of exceptional customer offers.

For a limited period, customers will be able to get their hands on a brand new Corsa Life for a budget-brand busting £6,995. That's a massive saving of £1,840 over list price, making it cheaper than many smaller rivals such as the Ford Ka, Citroën C2, VW Lupo and Fiat Panda Dynamic.

Yet the Life is certainly not stripped of equipment, and the bargain price includes such creature comforts as remote central locking, a stereo/radio CD player, electric front windows and ABS.

And there's also a sensational offer on the best-selling Corsa SXi, which for a limited period comes with a free TomTom GO300 portable satnav system. With no deposit and a year's free insurance for drivers aged 19 and over, a Corsa 1.2 SXi can cost from only £185 a month on Vauxhall's Choices finance scheme.

Vauxhall dealers are also offering an amazing four-year zero per cent finance deal* along with free insurance on the special edition Corsa Breeze, which gets air conditioning and alloy wheels as standard.

More exciting offers are available on other models in the Vauxhall range, with the stunning Astra Sport Hatch available with a £99 deposit and £99 insurance, starting from only £239 a month at 3.99% APR. A £99 deposit scheme is also available on the Astra SXi in both 5-door and estate form, while the special edition Astra Breeze is available with zero per cent finance over four years.*

Full details of these offers, along with a selection of special Vauxhall Internet Price (VIP) savings are available online at www.vauxhall.co.uk

*subject to a 40% minimum deposit

04/07/05

New Vectra And Signum - Sharper Looks, Sharper Dynamics And Sharper Prices

" New Vectra and Signum on sale 1 October
" Prices no higher than current model but specification enhanced across the range
" High-value Exclusiv trim level joins the line-up

With its distinctive new styling, improved driving dynamics and generous trim levels, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Vauxhall's New Vectra and Signum would have leapt up in price.

But in fact, the 2006 Vectra is a better value package than ever before, with prices for most models carried over from the current car.

Starting with Vectra, a new Exclusiv model will permanently replace the entry-level Expression, and will cost from as little as £14,750. Aimed at private buyers and company car user-choosers, the Exclusiv has a price to rival some superminis but has an exceptionally generous specification. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, six airbags and an eight-way adjustable driver's seat. The cost of moving up to one of the acclaimed 1.9-litre CDTI diesel engines has also been slashed by £450 compared to the outgoing models.

Moving up the range, prices for the Vectra Life are unchanged, but the specification is enhanced with a fold-down armrest and chrome cabin detailing. Design models will get electric rear windows, an eight-way adjustable passenger seat, automatic air conditioning, rain-sensitive wipers, an anti-dazzle rear view mirror, auto headlights and a remote control power tailgate for estate models. Yet again there is no increase in price.

In addition to the Design's equipment, the luxury flagship Vectra Elite now gains standard colour-screened sat nav, sportier front end styling and ambient interior night lighting, again all for the same price as the outgoing car.

A VXR variant of the Vectra will appear in late 2005, developing upwards of 255PS, and will replace the current GSi.

The spacious New Signum will be offered in four trim levels - Exclusiv, Elegance, Design and Elite - and as before, all models feature satellite navigation as standard. The Elegance and Exclusiv now both get chrome-effect air vent controls, while the Design gets rain sensitive wipers, an anti-dazzle rear view mirror, automatic headlights and ambient interior night lighting. Elite models gain a colour monitor with split-screen facility for the sat nav, ventilation and audio controls.

An all-new 230PS 2.8-litre V6 24-valve turbocharged petrol engine will directly replace the current normally-aspirated 3.2-litre V6, and will be offered in Elite models mated to an all-new six-speed auto gearbox.

Further improvements across both the Vectra and Signum ranges include a six-speed gearbox as standard on 2.2-litre models, while the newly Euro 4 compliant 3.0-litre CDTi diesel gets a power boost from 177PS to 184PS.

A range of new options known as Plus Packs will also be offered. The Life Plus Pack combines 16-inch alloys with a CDC40 DAB digital radio for £695, the Club Plus Pack adds automatic air con and a CDC40 stereo for £595, Design Plus Pack combines 17-inch alloys with a CDC70 stereo and colour monitor for £895, SRi Plus Pack adds 19-inch alloys and a CDC40 stereo for £750 and the Elite Plus Pack adds 19-inch alloys and a sunroof for £750.

Two exciting VXR Styling Packs are set to debut, taking cues from the sporty VXR models in Vauxhall's line-up. VXR I consists of 18-inch alloys, front skirts, side sills and a rear spoiler and costs £650, while VXR II adds 19-inch alloys and a deeper front bumper skirt for £1,200.

New Towing Packs are also available. For Vectra saloons, hatches and Signums, it adds ESP with Trailer Stability Programme, auto-levelling suspension and a detachable tow bar and costs £650, while on Estate models buyers can specify the same package with a neat fold away tow bar for £850.

Dealers are taking orders for New Vectra and New Signum now, with first deliveries to customers on 1 October.

20/06/05

Muller Second Place Finish Small Consolation For Tough VX Racing Weekend

Oulton Park, 19 June 2005.../VX Racing suffered a string of misfortunes this weekend at Oulton Park, with only a second place finish for Yvan Muller in the second of the three Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship races adding silverware to the VX Racing trophy cabinet.

Saturday's qualifying sessions resulted in a respectable fourth place start for Gavin Smith in the first race, fifth place for Yvan Muller and a disappointing ninth place for Colin Turkington. Lining up in this order for the first of the three races today, the sun blazed and VX Racing looked set to add valuable points to their championship tallies. In an exciting first race Muller fared best of the three Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch drivers with a fourth place finish, while Smith finished sixth and Turkington eighth.

As the lights went out for race two, Yvan Muller once again had a flying start and was up into third place at the first corner. As the race unfolded, Muller kept in touch with the leaders, regular BTCC rivals Matt Neal and Jason Plato, and when the moment came, Muller grabbed second after Plato was forced off the track. Muller, without enough pace to challenge Neal for the lead, finished a well-deserved second. "That was a really hard race," said Muller. "I think we have made progress with the car compared to the first race. The step we have made is quite small but at the same time the gap between Honda and us is not that big. We will get there step by step." Of his racing incident with Plato, he added, "I think the TV coverage will prove that the move on Plato was fair. When Matt took the lead Plato tried to slot in behind but I was already there."

Smith started his race well, but struggled to hold position and later, in his efforts to improve his position he braked late and was tipped into a spin and off the track. Rejoining in 10th after a pit stop, Smith finished 11th, after being unable to hold off Plato who took him for the coveted spot, which due to the BTCC third-race top-ten reverse grid rule puts the holder of this position on pole for the final race. Turkington, meanwhile, took over Smith's original sixth place slot and finished in this position at the chequered flag.

The three VX Racing drivers lined up for the final race of the day in stormy weather, with Colin Turkington in fourth place, Yvan Muller eighth and Gavin Smith in 11th place. The positions of Turkington and Muller were due to the reverse grid system for the top ten finishers. Muller had the best start of the three Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch drivers, moving up to sixth as the pack went through the first few corners, but with Richard Williams ahead of him losing the car under braking and swerving into his path, Muller was punted off track. The irrepressible Frenchman rejoined in twelfth, but was forced into the pits and out of the race with damaged rear suspension.

The VX Racing on-track action didn't finish with Muller. Turkington was caught up in a tangle with teammate Smith, with the gravel trap claiming the Astra Sport Hatch, to finish the young Ulsterman's day. Smith stayed out on track lying in sixth, but Turkington's misfortune had prompted deployment of the safety car, and as the safety car period ended so did Smith's day, with the team bringing him into the pits suffering rare transmission problems.

Ian Harrison, VX Racing team principal, summed up the weekend, saying, "It hasn't been a good weekend for us. Yvan drove well in the second race. Race three was a shocker with some of it self-inflicted. We will be back out testing next week in efforts to be back on the pace and try to find that couple of tenths we need."

VX Racing leave Oulton Park lying first in the Manufacturers Championship and second in the Team Championship, with Muller third in the Drivers Championship, Turkington sixth and Smith in tenth place.

The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the first year of competition for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple-title winning success of the past four years and continues its title hunt at the next round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Croft on 17 July.

17/06/05

VX Racing Goes Back To School At Oulton Park

Friday 17 June 2005.../ VX Racing today played host to a party of children from Comberbach Primary School in Northwich, Cheshire. The pupils visited VX Racing at Oulton Park circuit as the team prepared for rounds ten, 11 and 12 of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The 23 pupils, aged between eight and ten, were given a tour of the VX Racing garages and watched at close hand as the team demonstrated how to change a wheel on the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. The highlight of the visit came when the children posed questions to, and collected autographs from, VX Racing driver and former BTCC Champion, Yvan Muller.

Muller said after the visit "I think it's a great thing for the children to do, it is completely different to the usual school trips. Hopefully it has sparked their interest in motor racing, and although it is very early, it may even have given them an idea of what they would like to do for a job. You never know, in ten years time one of those children may be a driver, mechanic or an engineer. Or, they might just want to come back with their family this weekend to watch the racing."

VX Racing is determined to repeat the success it achieved last year at Oulton Park. Muller will be joined by team mates Colin Turkington and Gavin Smith in the sister VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars to continue the team's battle for the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

14/06/05

VX Racing Determined To Win At Oulton Park

Tuesday 14 June 2005.../VX Racing is determined to resume its race winning form in the next round of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park this weekend and travelled to Wales last week for testing in a bid to further develop the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars.

Yvan Muller, who has claimed the Vauxhall works team's two victories so far this season is encouraged by the positive steps made at the last round at Brands Hatch and also during the test at Pembrey, Wales. "We are still learning about the car," explained the Frenchman. "Actually, you never stop learning, but when it is a new car, like the Astra Sport Hatch, the development process is much greater. It will be good to get on track at Oulton Park and put the work we have done into action. VX Racing's motivation to win is stronger than ever."

Colin Turkington, in the second VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, was similarly encouraged by the performance at Brands Hatch, where he picked up a second place and two fifth places to move into fifth in the drivers' championship. The young Ulsterman looks forward to Oulton Park, where he hopes to close the gap on the championship leaders. Turkington said, "It's important to try and get as many points finishes as possible at this stage, but I won't be happy until I get to the top step of the podium."

VX Racing's third driver Gavin Smith, is keen to notch up some points after a run of bad luck. Smith has previously experienced success at the Cheshire track, securing a win in the 2004 Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship, and the Irishman is hungry for results. "It's been a frustrating season so far," said Smith "We've had the speed, but we've not been able to convert that into results. Oulton's a good track and it's been kind to me, so this could be the time to get some good points on the board."

Oulton Park will host rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the championship on 19 June. The picturesque venue attracts large crowds, and often produces spectacular racing on the twisty, undulating circuit.

VX Racing is aiming to repeat last year's success, when Muller and former team mate James Thompson scored one win each and two podium finishes to put the team on the way to the fourth successive drivers', manufacturers' and teams' titles.

Hot Facts

VX Racing holds both the qualifying and the race lap records for the Island circuit at Oulton Park. James Thompson set both times in 2004, the quickest qualifying time standing at 1m 27.638 secs and the race time at 1m 28.805 secs.

VX Racing has won seven of the 11 BTCC races held at Oulton Park since 2000. Yvan has taken five of the wins, with James Thompson and Paul O'Neill posting the other two wins in 2003 and 2002 respectively.

Colin Turkington has a full-time job outside of his racing activities; when racing commitments allow he works for the Turkington family business, Turkington Holdings, which has now expanded to encompass the manufacture of building products and operates a property development arm.

A camera crew is following Yvan Muller this season. The resulting documentary, due to be aired on Motors TV and released as a DVD later this year, will give an insight into his private and professional life.

13/06/05

Dynamic Makeover For New Vectra

" Dramatic new styling
" Redesigned interior and new engines
" Ride and handling reengineered specifically for UK roads

Sharper, smoother and more stylish - the wraps are off the New Vectra at last. The revamped model has been given a distinctive new look, a revised range of engines and significantly improved driving dynamics. It will reach UK showrooms in October.

It doesn't take long to spot the changes to the front of the car, which is all-new from the windscreen forwards. Bringing the range into line with the Vauxhall family look - which was first seen on the latest Astra - the bold style makes the New Vectra instantly recognisable. Other visual upgrades include new wheel designs, a reprofiled back bumper on certain models, and a contemporary range of new colours.
Inside, the interior has been enhanced with new materials to give an even greater sense of quality. The soft-touch facia material has a new grain and has been reshaped to give a more stylish look, while plush new seat fabrics, extra door trim inserts and a new instrument panel add more visual appeal. A smaller, sportier steering wheel not only looks better, but also enhances the sporty feel of the car on the road.

And it's not just the steering wheel which makes the New Vectra feel special to drive. Vauxhall's UK-based chassis engineers were given the seemingly impossible task of maintaining the current model's coveted refinement while improving steering feel and chassis control to make the Vectra even more rewarding to drive.

By developing the new model in the UK on British roads from the outset, the boffins have actually managed to exceed the brief by improving refinement in addition to transforming the driving dynamics.

To complement the revised chassis, a significant new engine has been introduced at the top of the Vectra range. Flagship Elite models are now powered by an all-new 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 mated to a six-speed auto gearbox. The big-sellers in the range will continue to be the award-winning 1.9CDTi turbodiesel units in both 120 and 150PS forms, and a new 1.8-litre petrol with an amazing 140PS will be available in spring 2006.

Prices and full details of the New Vectra range will be released in early July. Hatchback, saloon and estate models will all be available from launch.

06/06/05

Muller Brings Second 2005 Victory For VX Racing At Brands Hatch

Yvan Muller driving the new-for-2005 VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch ended two months of drought from BTCC wins with a masterful display of driving in the third race of the day at Brands Hatch this weekend to take a convincing win. Muller added his win to a third place and fourth place finish in the two earlier races today.

Team mate Colin Turkington notched up a second place and two fifth place finishes to leave the Kent circuit lying fifth in the drivers championship. Gavin Smith endured a testing weekend with robust driving from his rivals putting him off track a number of times. A tenth place and seventh place finish, as well as a retirement were the outcome for the Irishman in a weekend he would probably prefer to forget.

Muller's victory was a welcome return to form for the VX Racing team. Always in the hunt for podium positions, the team has consistently been a front-running team, but until this weekend mostly lower points-paying positions and smaller trophies had resulted since the first event at Donington Park in April. "I'm really pleased, of course," said Muller "I made a good start, was able to overtake Pickford (the leader) and then keep him behind me, although he has a fast car. I had to put my best into it and I did. I decided before the race, that either I win or I do nothing!"

Turkington was happy to be back on the podium after a second place finish at Thruxton last month and particularly pleased that his car had improved after setting changes made overnight, after a disappointing qualifying that left him seventh fastest. The success ballast added after this success however, hampered Turkington's hopes of maintaining this level of performance for the rest of the day. Smith enjoyed his best qualifying session so far this season recording the fifth best time on Saturday, but in all races he was involved in incidents not of his own making, which pushed him down the field in two races and completely out of the race in the third.

The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch is in its first year of competition, after the introduction of its sister road car model that launched earlier this year. The three drivers and the VX Racing team have been developing the car since the beginning of the year and are confident that its full potential has not been realised. Stuart Harris, VXR Brand Manager, said of the weekend, "Our results are representative of just how close the championship is this year and just how competitive the grid is. It's good to see one of our drivers back on the top step of the podium and I hope we won't have to wait as long as we have done before we're there again."

The manufacturers' championship, a two way fight between SEAT and Vauxhall, is led by the Luton marque, but although SEAT is only 42 points adrift, the battle remains close. In the drivers' championship Yvan Muller lies third, only 11 points off the leader with Turkington fifth and Smith in ninth. VX Racing lies second in the team championship.

VX Racing will return to the track in two weeks time for rounds 10, 11 and 12 at Oulton Park in
Cheshire.

06/06/05

Vauxhall Underlines Number One Fleet Status In May

" Fleet sales up over 8% in May
" Outstanding fleet sales figures for New Astra

VAUXHALL has underlined its status as fleet market leader with outstanding corporate sales in May, backed by a scintillating sales performance from New Astra.

During May, Vauxhall sold 8,800 New Astras, up 189% on the same month last year, and during the first five months of 2005, companies have now bought over 37,000 New Astras, some 62% more than in the same period last year.

Vauxhall fleet sales in May amounted to 18,700 units, compared to 17,284 in May 2004, an increase of 8.2%, while so far this year Vauxhall has sold 100,265 new cars to UK companies, up 2.3% on the first five months of 2004.

Diesel has undoubtedly been flavour of the month with fleet buyers and Vauxhall figured prominently in the fleet diesel market in May, again claiming number one position with sales of 32,171 diesels, up 22.2% on the same month last year.

And there was another outstanding sales performance from New Astra in the fleet diesel market which saw diesel sales virtually double from 7,126 in May 2004 to 14,199 last month.

Paul Adler, Vauxhall fleet brand manager, said: "We are now seeing the real impact of the New Astra on the fleet market after an outstanding introduction last year, with high fleet demand, particularly from user choosers, for the many outstanding new models, including the Sport Hatch, that are now fully available."

27/05/05

VX Racing Has Everything To Race For At Brands Hatch

Thursday 26 May.../Brands Hatch has seen the making and breaking of several BTCC championships in recent years, and VX Racing heads south to the Kent track aiming to improve its standing in the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. Currently lying twenty points ahead in the manufacturers' title race, there is everything to race for in the team and drivers' championships. VX Racing is second in the battle for the team title and drivers Yvan Muller, Colin Turkington and Gavin Smith are third, sixth and ninth respectively in the chase for the drivers' crown.

The Brands Hatch Indy circuit, at only 1.22 miles in length, is the shortest on the calendar and the VX Racing drivers will be working hard with their engineers to optimise the balance through the slower corners, without compromising speed through the fast swooping bends. In corners such as Druids, the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars will only just pass 40 mph, but will bolt through the ultra-quick Paddock Hill bend, Muller's favourite corner in the series, at 130 mph.

Muller's performance was hampered at the last round at Thruxton with 36 kilos of ballast, but the Frenchman heads to Brands Hatch slightly lighter, with only 27 kg of ballast, and eager to close the gap on championship leader, Dan Eaves, "We struggled at Thruxton with the set-up and tyres, but the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch is a good base car and now we know how it performs with ballast, we should find it easier to get a good set-up right from the start of the weekend. I am only 15 points behind the leader, and there are lots of races to go so it's not over yet."

Colin Turkington took his maiden VX Racing podium at the last round, and goes to Brands Hatch, the scene of his first BTCC race win, confident in the performance of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, "I'll be looking to finish on the podium again at Brands. We know the car is quick, and now we're starting to put some results on the board. I've got some good memories of taking my first BTCC win at Brands; I hope I'll be able to score my first VX Racing win here too."

Third driver Gavin Smith is also a Brands Hatch race winner, taking his debut Seat Cupra Championship win at the circuit in 2004. After a tough weekend at Thruxton the Irishman now lies ninth in the drivers' championship, but with only 18 points separating fifth and ninth and 15 points for a win, there is everything to race for. "Thruxton was a bit of an anti-climax after the solid weekend at Donington" Smith explains, "But I've always performed well at Brands Hatch so I'm optimistic for some good results. Every time out in the car I get more and more understanding of its performance, so on a circuit I know well, who knows what could happen?"

Last year at Brands Hatch, the VX Racing team scored two wins and three podium finishes in the first of two visits to the track, and two podiums on the championship's final trip. VX Racing finished the 2004 season on a high, winning the manufacturers', team and drivers' titles for the fourth successive year. Brands Hatch will host rounds seven, eight and nine of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 4 and 5 June 2005.

Hot Facts

The qualifying lap record for the Indy circuit is held by Yvan Muller, set in 2001. The Frenchman blitzed round the circuit in 48.942 secs at an average of 90.19 mph. Muller also holds the race lap record, 49.226 secs (average speed 89.67 mph) set in 2001

Muller has finished on the podium in 60% of the races held at Brands Hatch in the last two years, grabbing one second and two third places from six races held at the circuit in 2004. In 2003 the Frenchman took one win and two second places from four races

Drivers will spend 60% of a Brands Hatch lap on the throttle, changing gears an average 16 times a lap - that's 384 per race!

Gavin Smith arrives at Brands Hatch confident, as he has already won at the circuit. In 2004, Smith took his debut win in the Seat Cupra Championship in race two of the series. At the same event, he also finished second in the opening race

20/05/05

Fleeting Victory For Vauxhall

" Vauxhall named Fleet Manufacturer of the Year
" New Astra claims Best Fleet Car Award
" Commercial vehicles also win praise

It was a stunning five award wins for Vauxhall in one of the industry's most prestigious fleet car awards.

The Fleet World Honours, presented at the RAC Club in London, are among the most respected in the company car industry, with an expert judging panel that works within the fleet management, residual values and vehicle retail sectors.

And the star prize of the day went to Britain's fleet market leader, Vauxhall, scooping the top accolade for Fleet Manufacturer of the Year, while the highly acclaimed New Astra added another honour to its rapidly growing and impressive array of silverware.

Vauxhall's commercial vehicles also went home loaded with silverware, with judges awarding Best Light Van to the Combo, Best Medium Van to Vivaro, and Best Diesel Engine to the Combo's super-economical 1.3-litre CDTi found in Combo and Corsavan.

The awards were judged by a panel of experts representing the leasing industry, fleet managers, motoring journalists, residual value experts and the editorial team of Fleet World, who took into account a number of factors including residual values, maintenance costs, reliability, driver appeal and manufacturer back-up.

Fleet World editor Ross Durkin said: "Last year Vauxhall sold over 223,000 cars in the fleet market - the second year running it has topped the fleet sales charts - and 2005 looks to be heading the same way. The model range features some truly exciting cars with exceptional engines, and the award for Fleet Manufacturer of the Year is a fitting tribute to an excellent performance."

Commenting on another award win for Astra, fleet industry consultant George Emmerson said: "Astra was our Best New Car in 2004 and we knew that it was going to be a hot contender again in 2005. The car itself is first class and its styling underscores the move being made by Vauxhall to offer more exciting cars in a wider variety of body styles. As a fleet manager, you could not ask for a better overall package."

Ross Durkin added: "The new Astra offers a fantastic degree of choice - both engines and body styles - and it found favour with the toughest judges of all, the contract hire and leasing companies. Astra is the embodiment of Vauxhall's increasingly powerful position in the UK fleet market."

In March of this year, New Astra was voted the best Lower-Medium Fleet Car of the Year at the Fleet News Awards. And only a few weeks earlier, the 32,000 readers of Fleet Week and Fleet Management magazines rated it best New Fleet Car of the Year in the Fleet Excellence Awards.

19/05/05

New Plant Opens To Build Vauxhall Engines

" 1.9 CDTi engine production starts in Germany
" Kaiserlautern factory will build 180,000 power units a year
" Plant will run 24hrs a day, six days a week

Incredible demand and a projected growth in the diesel market has seen GM open its first all-new engine factory in Germany.

Situated in the town of Kaiserlautern, in the south-west of the country, the new engine facility will build both 120PS and 150PS versions of the 1.9-litre common-rail diesel engine, previously made at the Italian Pratola Serra plant. The factory will also build a 100PS version of the engine, offered in continental Europe only.

The high-performance fuel-efficient engine, which is Euro IV compliant when equipped with a diesel particulate filter, is available in a host of Vauxhall cars including New Zafira, New Astra, Astra Sport Hatch, Vectra and Signum, as well as the Saab 9-3 TiD.

In order to satisfy growing demand for GM's immensely popular oil-burner, the plant will operate for six days a week, running three eight hour shifts over each 24hr period. 100,000 powerplants are expected to roll out of the factory in 2005, with a target of 180,000 in its first full year of operation in 2006.

An intensive pilot production scheme has already begun. "We have prepared for production from the start, and want to make sure that the plant delivers top quality from day one," said Plant Manager August Trenkle.

09/05/05

Jonathan Browning named Chairman, Bill Parfitt Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors

Jamal El-Hout adds Commercial Vehicle Operations to his Responsibilities

Zurich. - Jonathan Browning has been named Chairman of Vauxhall Motors in addition to his role as Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at General Motors Europe. Bill Parfitt assumes the role of Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors. Kevin Wale, former Chairman and Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors, was recently named the new President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. In a related move, GM Europe's Vice President of Product Planning, Jamal El-Hout, adds commercial vehicle operations to his current multi-brand responsibilities for portfolio planning in Europe. Mr Wale previously held these responsibilities, as well.

The changes become effective immediately.

As Chairman of Vauxhall, Jonathan Browning will be GM's senior representative in the United Kingdom and Ireland. He will provide strategic oversight and will bear ultimate responsibility for the corporate governance of Vauxhall.

In his new role, within the framework of GM Europe's functional organisation, Bill Parfitt takes on responsibility for Vauxhall's day-to-day business operations. He retains responsibility for GM's sales and marketing activities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, encompassing the Saab, Vauxhall and Chevrolet brands. He also continues in his role as the executive-in-charge of GM's fleet and commercial vehicle sales across all European markets.

"This will be a very effective, complementary partnership in our largest European market," said GM Europe Chairman, Fritz Henderson. "As Chairman of Vauxhall, Jonathan will provide valuable strategic oversight from throughout the organisation. Bill will be able to focus his energy on building our brands in the marketplace."

Jamal El-Hout's additional role reflects the growing importance of commercial vehicles in GM's European portfolio. "We achieved our highest ever commercial vehicle sales in 2004," said Henderson. "I have every confidence in Jamal and his team to develop the right portfolio and strategies to support continued growth in this high-potential market."

06/05/05

Vauxhall Storms To The Top Of The Charts!

" Vauxhall is officially Britain's best-selling car brand
" 26,723 cars registered in April beats nearest rival by almost 2,000
" Million Mile Test Drive programme an astonishing success
" Commercial vehicle sales up by 31.9 per cent over 2004

Thanks to stylish design, excellent dynamics and an innovative test drive initiative, Vauxhall has stormed to the top of the UK sales charts, toppling its nearest rival. With a total of 26,723 car sales in April, the Luton-based manufacturer won 14.9 per cent of the total market share, compared to Ford's 13.8 per cent.

The news comes as Vauxhall celebrates a 19.3 per cent increase in sales compared to this time last year, despite new car sales in general dropping by four per cent over the same period.

Highlights of Vauxhall's performance include the ever-popular Corsa maintaining its position as Britain's favourite supermini with 7,643 examples finding new homes in April, and 8,303 New Astras hitting the road - 594 more than Ford's new Focus. Vectra and Zafira were both the second best sellers in their respective segments.

Vauxhall remains top of the booming fleet market, which is up 10.1 per cent compared to April 2004, with its cars accounting for 21.9 per cent of the total share. But even more significant is the company's growth in the struggling retail sector - with general car sales to private buyers down 14.8 per cent year on year, Vauxhall saw its sales increase by 8.8 per cent, giving a retail market share growth year-to-date of almost one percentage point.

Much of that success can be attributed to Vauxhall's Million Mile Test Drive programme - an innovative scheme that allows potential buyers to take a three-day test drive in the Vauxhall car of their choice.
After the first full month of the programme, Vauxhall dealers completed 17,395 test drives - an increase of 23 per cent over the same period last year.

The benefit of the scheme is evident from a survey carried out by Vauxhall dealers, in which 70 per cent of customers said they felt more positive about Vauxhall after their test drive, and 76 per cent said they were more positive about the specific model of car they drove.

Bill Parfitt, executive director of sales, marketing and aftersales, said: "The popularity of the Million Mile Test Drive and the growth in retail sales shows that this initiative has been very successful. We're very proud of what Vauxhall has achieved, and to be the best-selling car brand in the UK for April is very good news indeed."

But it's not just Vauxhall cars that are continuing to sell well - commercial vehicle sales are also on the up. 4,602 Griffin-badged vans were sold last month, making Vauxhall the second biggest seller with a sales increase of 31.9 per cent compared to April 2004. The award-winning Combo remains Britain's best-selling small van; with 1,974 Combos registered in April, it outsold its closest rival by a massive margin of 942 vans.

The British-built Vivaro also performed strongly, with 1,405 new examples hitting the road.

03/05/05

VX Racing Finish Difficult Thruxton Event On A High

VX Racing ended round two of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on a high, with a double podium finish for Colin Turkington and Yvan Muller. The podium celebrations came at the end of a testing weekend for the team, with all drivers working hard to find a set-up for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars. Results from the first two races were mid-field rather than the team's usual podium finishes, with Turkington fourth and seventh in the first and second races respectively, and Muller sixth and third place. Third driver Gavin Smith suffered a run of bad luck, which culminated in a retirement in the final race.

VX Racing arrived at Thruxton with hopes of adding more victories to its impressive record at the track, but it became clear early on in the free practice sessions that the team would struggle to find a set-up for the new VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch that would suit the tyre compound developed specially for the circuit. Turkington, Muller and Smith lined up third, fifth and seventh for race one, but a problem with the starter motor on the grid meant Muller was forced to start from the back of the field. The Frenchman soon scythed through to sixth place, whilst Turkington remained with the front runners for the early stages of the race but was under constant attack. The young Ulsterman lost his position on the third lap and fell back into fourth where he remained until the end of the race. Smith had a quiet race with a set-up that made driving conditions very difficult. Despite problems with under-steer, he brought the car home in ninth commenting, "It was the hardest race ! I have ever had."

Muller demonstrated once more why he was crowned 2003 BTCC champion with some spectacular demonstrations of car control. In the second race the Frenchman was battling hard with Jason Plato for second position when the pair clashed through the chicane and Muller held a sideways slide and his position, but ultimately finished third. In the final race of the day Muller again battled with old rival Plato, but came out on top to finish third for his second podium finish of the day. Muller said "In the third race the car was the best it had been all day, there was a fair amount of contact which led to some problems, but I just got on with it. It has been a difficult weekend, but we got there in the end. We now go to Brands Hatch with more experience of the car and return to our usual tyres."

Turkington suffered a poor start to the second race after getting bogged down on the start line.The university graduate, however, showed he was on the pace and moved up to finish in seventh position. He showed his true ability in the third and final race where his skilful driving landed him a second place finish in an eventful and thrilling race. "That was an exciting race," Turkington reported, "It makes up for the disappointment earlier on in the day. We got the car right for the third race, so we made progress, and it's good to be on the podium at last."

Smith's run of bad luck continued into the second race as the Dubliner again fought under steer to come home in tenth place. The reverse grid rule for the final race benefited Smith as he started on pole for the first time in his BTCC career. He was unable to convert the pole into race success as a collision with Tom Chilton ended his race before the end of the first lap. Smith explained "It has been a really frustrating weekend for me. We have struggled with the balance of the car, but I was really looking forward to the third race and being on pole. Tom Chilton tried to stop his car on the grass and it just didn't work, he had nowhere to go but into me. It destroyed my race. I'm just glad this weekend is over. I'm looking forward to the next round at Brands Hatch and being able to put this weekend behind me."

Stuart Harris, VXR brand manager, was pleased with the continuing development of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch; "It was a mixed bag of results this weekend but it ended well. Given where we started this morning, to actually finish second and third in the final race at a meeting where we didn't think we'd end up with much, to be honest, is fantastic. Roll on Brands Hatch!"

The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the first year of competition for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple-title winning success of the past four years and continues its title hunt at the next round of the Dunlop at Brands Hatch on 5 June.

25/04/05

Freshen Up Your Cabin With Vauxhall Air Conditioning Service

If your car ventilation emits a nasty smell every time you turn on the air conditioning, or you are just not sure if the system is really doing its job, Vauxhall MasterFit Centres throughout the UK are ready with a problem solving springtime service.

Reliance on air conditioning affects almost everyone on the road today. More than 90 per cent of new cars are now sold with air conditioning or climate control, and most cars since the mid-nineties have had a pollen or carbon cabin filter as standard.

Condensation build up in the air conditioning evaporator during the cold winter months can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, so the opportunity to have the system cleansed by trained technicians is a wise precaution.

Vauxhall MasterFit Centres are offering owners a two-tier service, starting with a Spring-Clean service to remove any bacteria that may have developed during the winter. This disinfecting process will also neutralise any odours to leave the passenger compartment a cleaner, fresher smelling environment.

The Spring-Clean decontamination and operational check of your air conditioning system costs around £30.

If a more comprehensive service is recommended, your Vauxhall MasterFit Centre can carry out the Spring-Clean service, followed by a full leak check to ensure that the air conditioning piping is not faulty, and then re-gas the air conditioning or climate control system. Just as your engine requires fresh oil from time to time to avoid wear and tear on its components, the same is true for the gas in your air conditioning system.

19/04/05

Oil-In-One Package Makes Astra Even More Attractive

" New 90PS diesel engine for Astra
" More power, better economy and performance
" Offers up to 70.6mpg
" All-new six-speed transmission

Surely there must be a catch? How can the new entry-level diesel engine in the Astra offer substantial improvements in performance while actually using less fuel? Thanks to the latest in turbodiesel technology, Vauxhall has made the impossible possible.

The latest addition to the Astra CDTi range, which goes on sale this week, uses a more powerful development of the unit already seen in the Corsa and Tigra ranges. The new 90PS powerplant uses a sophisticated variable geometry turbocharger to give a maximum torque output of 200Nm (148lb ft) between 1,750 and 2,500rpm. That represents a 30Nm increase over the Astra's current 1.7-litre CDTi 80PS engine.

On the road this translates to perkier performance, with the 0-60mph acceleration time dropping from 14.0 to 12.7 seconds and the top speed rising from 104 to 107mph. But it is economy and running costs which really matter to diesel drivers - and here the new CDTi really shines. Returning a 58.9mpg average on the combined cycle and an astonishing 70.6mpg on the extra-urban cycle, the new diesel is one of the most economical cars on sale in the UK, and yet it can still offer all the style, space and practicality of the Astra.

The impressive performance is partly due to the introduction of an all-new six-speed manual transmission, which is geared to combine the best in peppy performance round town while maintaining the ability to cruise effortlessly at motorway speeds.

The engine follows the rest of the Astra's diesel model range by meeting tough Euro 4 emissions legislation, currently making it exempt from the three per cent company car tax levy applied to some other oil-burning hatchbacks. This, and a highly-competitive 130g/km CO2 emissions rating, mean it is the perfect choice for drivers wanting to keep company-car tax liability low.

So what about that catch? Despite the significant improvements and advanced technology used in the new engine, prices start at £13,895 and it is available in high-value Life, Club and Breeze trim levels. Expect it to catch on quickly!

Specifications

Vauxhall Astra CDTi

18/04/05

Price Is Right For New Zafira

" Prices from £12,995
" Improved equipment levels
" Special offers for buyers who order early

Prices have just been announced for the new version of Britain's best selling MPV - and it's better value than ever before.

The order books for the stylish newcomer open this week, and prices start from as little as £12,995, with generous equipment levels across the range.

Five trim variants will be available at launch - Expression, Life, Club, Design and SRi.
And like for like, the all new Zafira represents even more for your money than its mould-breaking predecessor. For example, the Zafira Life 1.6 16v gets side airbags and roof rails over the existing model, yet at £14,995 is £350 cheaper.

Move up to Club trim and there are even greater gains - at £15,695 in 1.6-litre 16v form, the all-new model costs £650 less than the equivalent old Zafira, yet gets alloy wheels, plus side and curtain airbags.

And to make Zafiras even better value for money, Vauxhall is offering a special deal to the first customers to place their orders. Anyone who puts down a deposit for a Zafira Life, with a choice of 1.6 or 2.2-litre petrol engines or a 120PS diesel, will be offered £1,050 worth of extras for just £500. The special 'Launch Pack', available to any buyer placing their order before 31 July, includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a trip computer, cruise control and Electronic Climate Control.

The Zafira's highly-competitive pricing means it seems even more attractive when compared to key rivals in the sector, with the Zafira 1.6 Life, for example, costing £915 less than the similarly equipped Renault Grand Scenic 1.6 Expression. A full break down of how New Zafira stacks up against its rivals is detailed below.

It's not just more equipment for your money either, as the new Zafira is bigger both inside and out than the existing model. Every new Zafira is fitted with the ingenious Flex7 seating system, while innovations including Vauxhall's acclaimed IDSPlus and Continuous Damping Control, Panoramic Roof with storage and Adaptive Forward Lighting are available from the comprehensive options list.

A range of state-of-the-art engines will appear in new Zafiras, with petrol units including a 105PS 1.6-litre 16v TWINPORT and a range-topping 200PS 2.0-litre Turbo now available to make the most of the new car's dynamic chassis. Later in the year, a 240PS, 144mph VXR variant will join the range, to become the fastest production MPV in Britain, while an all-new 140PS 1.8-litre engine will debut in the autumn.
Diesel models, which use Vauxhall's technologically-advanced 1.9-litre CDTi powerplants in either 120PS or 150PS form, start from an attractive £16,995 - and offer huge leaps forward in terms of economy and performance compared to the outgoing model.

The first New Zafiras will be delivered to customers in the summer, with a special launch programme at Vauxhall dealers taking place on the weekend of 23-24 July.

A full breakdown of pricing and trim levels appears below:

Comparative data

15/04/05

Doors Open On Over A Century Of Vauxhall Heritage

" Heritage Centre open day Sunday 12 June
" Over 50 classic Vauxhalls on display, from 1903 to the present day
" Chance to view latest hot VXR models

The world's biggest private collection of classic Vauxhalls is to throw its doors open to the public for one day only.

To coincide with the Luton Festival of Transport and 100 years of being based in the town, Vauxhall is holding its annual open day at its Heritage Centre in Park Street, Luton, on Sunday 12 June 2005, where visitors can view over 50 classic Vauxhall models completely free of charge.

From the very first 1903 Vauxhall through to 'modern' classics such as the Lotus Carlton, the Heritage Collection contains over a century's worth of classic Vauxhall models, including family favourites from yesteryear such as the PA Cresta, Viva and every generation of Cavalier.

In addition to the impressive collection of classics, visitors will get an opportunity to see some of Vauxhall's latest models up close, including the hot new Astra VXR, the innovative New Zafira, stylish Astra Sport Hatch and the scorching Monaro VXR.

The open day will run from 10am to 5pm and a free bus service will run throughout the day between Luton Parkway railway station, the Vauxhall Heritage Centre and the Luton Festival of Transport at Stockwood Park - ideal for those who want a fantastic classic transport themed day out!

15/04/05

Hot Astra - Cool Price Under 19k For 240PS VXR

" 152mph Astra VXR priced at just £18,995 OTR
" Order books open now, first deliveries in September
" Unrivalled power and performance at price level
" Standard equipment includes air conditioning and ESP

With its massive 240PS and 152mph performance, Vauxhall's rivals were hoping that the Astra VXR would cost well over £20,000. But here's the news which is sure to raise a few GTI-brows - it's actually priced at under £19,000!

Now available to order from dealers, the latest addition to the hugely successful VXR model line-up packs more punch than any other hot hatch available for the money. Unlike some rivals, Vauxhall hasn't relegated desirable equipment to the options list in order to keep the list price low either, with air conditioning, Recaro seats, 18-inch wheels, ESP and side curtain airbags all as standard.

At the heart of the Astra VXR's dynamic driving experience is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. Maximum power of 240PS is delivered at 5,600rpm, while the unit delivers an impressive 320Nm of torque between 2,400rpm and 5,000rpm, channelled through a six-speed manual gearbox. The result is the ability to sprint from 0-60mph in just 6.2 seconds, and on to a top speed of 152mph where conditions allow.

That impressive performance is kept in check by a highly-tuned front-wheel drive chassis developed with sports car maker Lotus. Braking performance is remarkable, too, with the VXR's exclusive 321mm vented front discs the biggest ever fitted to any Vauxhall other than the Monaro.

All of this means the VXR delivers a driving experience that will excite and stimulate the most committed driving enthusiasts. Buyers can also opt for the innovative Continuous Damping Control system to deliver an even more impressive ride and handling combination.

Based on the stylish three-door Astra Sport Hatch, the Astra VXR is immediately distinguished by its exclusive 18-inch wheels, body-coloured V-grille, ground hugging side skirts, rear spoiler and revised bumper assemblies, along with neat detail touches such as its Arden Blue front and rear brake callipers and stylish VXR badges. Massive 19-inch wheels are a £500 option.

Inside, there are Recaro seats, new instruments incorporating VXR logos, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, carbon-effect inserts on the doors and facia and a new alloy gearknob, also with VXR detailing.
"We're very proud of this latest addition to the VXR line-up," said VXR brand manager Stuart Harris. "We've already seen a huge amount of interest in the model, and we're excited about getting the first cars out to customers. We believe no hot hatchback can compare to the Astra VXR in terms of driver appeal or value for money."

Four colours will be available at launch - Flame Red, Arden Blue, Star Silver and Black Sapphire, with the first cars due to reach customers in September. Further additions to the VXR range are due before the end of the year, including the fastest-ever production MPV - the New Zafira VXR.

Technical specification

Vauxhall Astra VXR

12/04/05

Holiday Breaks Made Stylish For You And Your Car With Platinum Vauxhall

With summer just around the corner, Vauxhall helps you make the most of the holiday season with its practical yet stylish accessories for both you and your car, designed by top fashion designer Giles Deacon.

Whether you're planning a break in Cornwall, a romantic weekend for two in Dorset or simply heading out for the day, what's for certain is that there's no guarantee with the weather. Therefore it's vital to protect yourself from the elements by equipping yourself with the latest umbrella and car sunscreen accessories designed by Giles, exclusively for Vauxhall.

The sophisticated, stylish umbrella with a jacquard fishnet print complements the eye-catching sunscreen with its comedy 'his and hers' dinosaur motif, inspired by one of Giles' favourite toys, a remote controlled Tyrannosaurus Rex. Both items are set to be on the shopping list of those who not only want fashionable accessories for themselves but for their motors too, creating a stylised, driving frenzy across the nation this summer.

The Giles at Vauxhall umbrella sells at £27, and the sunscreen at £22, inclusive of delivery within the UK. Both are available by calling 020 7861 2465.

11/04/05

Victorious Race Debut For Vx Racing Astra Sport Hatch

The new VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch made a successful race debut at the opening round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park this weekend, with Yvan Muller claiming the car's debut win, one second and one third place. Gavin Smith put in some strong performances on his race debut for VX Racing, and recorded his best-ever BTCC result in the final race of the day, but Colin Turkington suffered a run of bad luck with a collision and rare mechanical problems.

VX Racing arrived at Donington Park with a new car and driver line-up, but was on the pace from the outset. New recruit Turkington edged out Muller to pole for the first race, but it was the Frenchman who finished the race on the podium, only narrowly missing out on giving the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch a win on its race debut. Turkington slipped back to fifth, struggling with a car set-up for colder conditions. Smith endorsed the reliability and performance of the car, lapping consistently to finish eighth on his VX Racing debut.

The team didn't have to wait long for its first victory of the 2005 season, as Muller held off strong competition to bring the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch home at the front of the field in the second race. The Frenchman completed a hat trick of podium finishes with a third place in the final race after a storming charge through the field from ninth on the grid. The former BTCC champion was pleased with the weekend's progress; "It's a good start to the season, we can be pleased for two reasons; first we won a race and had three podium finishes, and second because we have learnt a lot during the weekend. Now we have to analyse the information and come back with some new ideas for the next race."

Turkington's unfortunate race fortunes continued as he was pushed off onto the grass on the first lap of the second race and retired to the pits immediately. Starting from the back row of the grid for the third race, he got a good start and moved through the field to seventh position, but dropped back to eighth after developing steering problems in the mid stages of the race. The 23-year-old Irishman summed up his ultimately disappointing weekend; "The weekend started out well for me, I had a good qualifying session, the car was quick then, but it didn't go my way today."

Smith continued to impress with his race form, but despite gallant efforts in the second race, he was forced to settle for sixth position as the door remained firmly closed by the fifth-placed Plato. Smith got the better of Plato in the final race of the day as he cleanly passed the Seat driver on his way to fifth position; his best-ever BTCC race result. "When I did the first practice session yesterday morning, I said to myself that I was going to have a top six finish in one of the races, so to get two top six finishes was more than I could ask for. The next time I'll be aiming for a little bit higher, maybe even a podium."

Stuart Harris, VXR Brand Manager, was pleased with the debut of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch; "Overall it was a good weekend for Vauxhall. After the first race we still had a long way to go, it's a new car that we are still developing, but to be in the hunt right from the start is fantastic. Yvan drove really well, and it would have been good for Colin and Gavin to be a bit further up, but we'll just have to wait and see what happens at Thruxton."

Today's race debut of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch marked the on-sale date of the Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch, the road-going cousin of the BTCC car. The VX Racing team will be aiming to repeat the triple title-winning success of the last four years, and continues its title hunt at the next round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton on 30 April.

11/04/05

Vx Racing Seize Pole In Thrilling Qualifying Session At Donington Park

The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch made a dramatic race weekend debut at the opening round of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park in a thrilling qualifying session. After trading times with team-mate Yvan Muller, VX Racing new recruit Colin Turkington grabbed pole, before sliding into the gravel on the outside of Redgate corner.

With the threat of rain ever-present, as soon as the lights went green Muller, Turkington and Gavin Smith took to the circuit in the three VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars. Muller was immediately on the pace; with his first lap almost as quick as the fastest lap time set during the morning's free practice sessions.

There was little to separate Muller and Turkington at the top and after a tyre change and some minor adjustments to the car, Muller posted a blistering lap to set the fastest time of the day so far. Turkington responded straight away to go faster by just three hundredths of a second and then went even quicker to stop the clocks at 1 min 12.092 seconds, with only 0.081 seconds separating the duo with one third of the session remaining.

During the closing stages, Turkington put on a new set of tyres and quickly rejoined the circuit, but in freezing temperatures and on cold tyres he was caught out on the entrance to Redgate corner and slid wide into the gravel trap, narrowly avoiding contact with the barrier. Turkington was unharmed by the slide, but the car's dangerous position necessitated a red flag while the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch was removed.

With only three minutes, three seconds of the session remaining on the restart, the field dived out of the pit lane for a last-gasp shot at pole position. Turkington was forced to watch from the pit wall as Muller drove hard into the last corner, but couldn't better his time.

Smith was just behind Muller on the track, but a problem with the engine pistons early on in the session hampered his chances, and he was disappointed to finish in ninth position, a little over a second behind Turkington at the end of the session.

Turkington held onto pole, but Muller was narrowly pipped to second place by Matt Neal in the dying seconds of the session. The VX Racing team will line up for the opening round of the championship in pole, third and ninth position, and will be aiming to take an early lead in the championship to repeat the triple title-winning success of the last four years.

Colin Turkington

"The car was quick and we improved throughout the day. I just tried a bit too hard and I locked up at the first corner. I was pushing right on the limit, the tyres were not up to temperature and I went in a bit too hard. The cold tyres caught me out and so I had to sit out the last few minutes of the session. The car is good to drive, I'm happy with the progress we have made today and it's great to be on pole for my first
race with VX Racing."

Yvan Muller

"I am disappointed because I think we could have done better, and we didn't. There were a number of factors that could have been improved for us to get the best out of the car. It is hard to be happy with third on the grid when there is still more to come and not everything is one hundred percent. Obviously we will work on getting everything right for tomorrow."

Gavin Smith

"There is a problem with the engine, one of the pistons is not working properly and so the car was misfiring from the start of the session. The team tried to sort it out during the red flag, but they didn't resolve it and are now looking a bit deeper. I've no doubt it will be fixed and ready to go tomorrow. I've just got to get through the field but I am fairly confident as we were close enough in the two practice sessions this morning. It's just a pity I couldn't follow it through to qualifying."

Qualifying results

1. Colin Turkington VX Racing 1 min 12.092 secs
2. Matt Neal Team Halfords 1 min 12.149 secs
3. Yvan Muller VX Racing 1 min 12.173 secs

9. Gavin Smith VX Racing 1 min 13.129 secs

08/04/05

Private Buyers Give Vauxhall An Astra-Nomical Boost

" Vauxhall sees retail sales increase in March
" Astra sales to private buyers up by 84 per cent
" Corsa and Zafira best-sellers in segment - again!
" Van sales hit record high

The launch of the new '05' registration has seen a huge 'March' forwards for Vauxhall, with a healthy increase in sales to private buyers.

An impressive 7.4 per cent growth in retail sales was boosted by the appeal of models such as the New Astra, New Tigra, Corsa, Zafira and Meriva, with the Astra seeing an unprecedented 84 per cent increase in private sales over 2004 thanks to its blend of driver-focused dynamics, bold styling and clever design, plus an alluring range of 'Breeze' special editions aimed at the retail sector.

As well as the Astra's success, the established Corsa and Zafira models continue to lead their segments, with the Corsa maintaining its position as Britain's most popular supermini, and the Zafira continuing to outsell rivals.

In total, 55,042 Griffin-badged cars hit the road in the first month of the new registration mark, giving Vauxhall an increased 13.2 per cent share of the total market so far in 2005. And the growth is expected to continue further, with a host of new models in the pipeline for later in the year, including the stunning Astra VXR and all-new Zafira.

But it's not just the cars that are climbing the sales charts - Vauxhall vans are doing good business as well. March saw record registrations for Vauxhall's commercial range, with 8,002 new vans, giving the company an all-time high 17.1 per cent market share.

The award-winning Combo, voted small van of the year by Professional Van and Light Truck magazine, retains its crown as Britain's best-seller, while the Vivaro and Astravan join it among the country's top 10 best-selling LCVs.

"While maintaining our number one position in fleet sales, we were also given a further boost in March by customers spending their own hard-earned cash," said Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall's Executive Director of sales, marketing and aftersales. "It's a sure sign that the British public recognises the style and driving excitement that Vauxhall's range of cars and vans offers."

06/04/05

Be First To Drive The Astra Vxr… Without Leaving Your Desk

" Free seven-level racing game available on VXR website
" Try a real Sport Hatch at Vauxhall retailers this weekend

Now you can be one of the first people in Britain to drive the hot new Astra VXR, and all it takes is the click of a mouse!

An all-new seven-level racing game is now available on the Vauxhall website, and it's highly addictive. It allows you to race against friends or a computer-controlled rival on a choice of circuits, which all come complete with obstacles such as jumps, oil slicks, stray tyres and patches of sticky mud.

As well as the Astra VXR, budding racers can also tackle the seven tricky tracks in a VXR220 or Monaro VXR, and all have their own handling and performance characteristics to match the dynamics and driving excitement of the real production cars.

Once you've got used to racing using just the cursor controls on the keyboard, see if you can make the leader board by posting the best lap times on the web! Try it for yourself at www.vauxhall.co.uk/vxr, and join in the thrill of the race!

The game has been launched to coincide with the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch debut in the first round of the 2005 British Touring Car Season, which gets underway on 9 April.

Drivers who prefer to try the real thing can sample a Sport Hatch for the first time this weekend at Vauxhall retailers. The stylish new Astra model makes its showroom debut on Saturday, and is being included in the innovative 'Million Mile Drive' programme, giving buyers the chance to sample Vauxhall driving excitement on a three day test drive.

04/04/05

All New Vx Racing To Make Debut At Opening BTCC Round

Friday 1 April 2005 - The new-look VX Racing team will line up for the opening round of the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park next weekend as the record-breaking triple title holders. But with a new car, the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, and new drivers, the team will have fresh challenges to keep ahead of the competition.

The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch will make its race debut at Donington Park, Leicestershire. The conversion of the road-going car to the striking touring car took a little over three months, and since its track debut in January, the team has worked hard to ensure it will be on the pace from the start of the season.

Also making their VX Racing debut at Donington Park are new signings Colin Turkington and Gavin Smith. Turkington, 23, from Northern Ireland, joins the team for his fourth BTCC season, with a reputation for speed and consistent points finishes. He is eager to add to his two wins (scored at Mondello Park in 2004 and Brands Hatch in 2003), "It's a fantastic opportunity for me to race for VX Racing. They've got a huge amount of experience at winning races and championships. I'm getting on well with the team, and I hope I'll be able to continue their winning streak."

Yvan Muller, remaining with the VX Racing team for a sixth season, has been impressed with the performance and handling of the car so far, "The base car is very good, and the race car has a lot of potential. We have spent a lot of testing time trying to iron out potential problems. We should be quick, but you never know until the start of the season. Of course, I'll be looking to win races from the beginning, but you can never tell until you get to the first race."

Gavin Smith, 27, from Dublin, graduates from the Seat Cupra Championship and was confirmed as the team's third driver only two weeks ago, "Signing for Vauxhall was a big step forward for me, and the team has been great. The tests so far have been learning experiences for me, and there's a lot more speed in both myself and the car. The first races will be hard as we don't know for sure the performance of the other teams, but I'll be going all out to post some good results on the board."

Last year VX Racing started its championship campaign in style, taking two race wins and three podium positions at Thruxton, the 2004 season opener, and ultimately took the spoils in the manufacturers', drivers' and team championships for the fourth successive year. In 2005, the 30-race season begins at Donington Park on 9 and 10 April and finishes at Brands Hatch on 1 and 2 October.

Hot Facts

The road-going cousin of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, the Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch, will go on sale to the public at Vauxhall dealerships the same weekend as the opening round of the BTCC season

Colin Turkington celebrated his 23rd birthday at the final VX Racing test session at Magny-Cours at the end of March. The team presented him with a bottle of champagne and PlayStation game GT4 to mark the occasion, and to really put his driving skills to the test!

Yvan Muller contested the Andros Trophy ice racing in the break between BTCC seasons. He was crowned champion for a record-breaking ninth time, and is now so invincible that organisers are threatening to make him run with success ballast next time out!

VX Racing newcomer Gavin Smith makes his race debut for VX Racing at Donington Park, but it is not his first time in a BTCC car. The Irishman contested his home race at Mondello Park last year with GA Motorsports, finishing an excellent ninth position in round 14 to score two points

30/03/05

All New Vx Racing Completes Final Pre-Season Test

Tuesday 28 March 2005 - VX Racing hit the track at Donington Park today with a new car, fresh driver line-up and bold 2005 livery, including the logos of new sponsors RS and Origin b2. The test was the last chance for the team to hone the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch in preparation for its assault on the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The team achieved its main aim for the test, gathering vital information and data and continuing the development of the car. New recruit Gavin Smith recorded the fifth fastest time of the day on only his second outing in the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, while fellow team newcomer Colin Turkington finished third quickest. Frenchman Yvan Muller recorded the sixth fastest time.

VX Racing's outstanding run of success in recent years has attracted new partnerships and this season the team has joined forces with electrical, electronic and mechanical component supplier, RS, and driver safety and information system, Origin b2. The three VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars now display their respective logos in their striking liveries.

Muller, remaining with the team for 2005, is looking to go one better than 2004 and take the drivers' crown, which he missed by just one point last year. But his job will not be easy this year with strong competition from other teams and two young charger team-mates eager to make their mark at the pinnacle of the BTCC. Colin Turkington, from Northern Ireland, joins VX Racing keen to add to his current tally of two BTCC race wins, while BTCC newcomer Gavin Smith graduates from the 2004 Seat Cupra Championship.

The team and drivers have worked hard during the winter to ensure the team is on the pace from the first round of the season at Donington Park on 9-10 April. If VX Racing win the title races this year, Vauxhall will become the first manufacturer in the history of the BTCC to secure the team, manufacturers' and drivers' championships for five consecutive years, and will beat its own record of four back-to-back titles.

Yvan Muller

"Today was good for us, we are still learning about the car, and we need time, but we found a few things that will help us during the season. We are not looking for performance at the moment, we are looking for solutions, and that's what we found today. We're taking our time, but we're making progress step by step. The lap times today are not important, it's in two weeks time that it counts."

Colin Turkington

"It was a positive test, we tried a few more things on the car and found some improvements that took us in the right direction for the first race. We sorted out the set-up we want to run at Donington. It's hard to know how we compare as I don't think everyone shows their hand at the official test, but the car is feeling good and we'll come back with more speed next time."

Gavin Smith

"The test was pretty productive. Time-wise I wasn't far off and the car felt good. I went out on a new set of tyres and made a mistake and spun on one of my best laps, so I had to start again. I didn't get the best out of my second set, but overall I'm learning more and more about the car. It's well-balanced, and I'm just trying to find the limits and be comfortable. Not only that, I'm learning how the team works too. Going on today's performance, I'd say there's more time in both me and the car."

Test results:

1. Matt Neal Team Halfords 1 min 12.584 secs
2. Rob Collard WSR 1 min 12.753 secs
3. Colin Turkington VX Racing 1 min 12.897 secs
5. Gavin Smith VX Racing 1 min 13.220 secs
6. Yvan Muller VX Racing 1 min 13.257 secs

30/03/05

World's Biggest Ever Test Drive Programme Begins This Weekend

" 54,000 British drivers expected to take part in three-day long tests
" Buyers given real chance to experience Vauxhall quality and driving dynamics

Anyone looking to buy a new car this weekend will be lucky to get more than a quick whizz around the block to test their prospective purchase - unless they go to a Vauxhall retailer. With research showing that around half of all new car buyers will happily spend thousands of pounds on a new motor without ever driving it, Vauxhall has decided to give buyers the chance to see how a car really performs in people's everyday lives with a three-day test drive - and you don't even have to have the salesman sitting in the passenger seat!

The million mile drive initiative, which starts on Friday 1 April and will last for three months, is part of the biggest test drive programme the world has ever seen, with 54,000 drivers expected to take part in the UK alone. Across Europe around 35,000 test cars will be made available in 40 European countries, and a total of more than a million miles are expected to be driven by potential customers in the three month campaign.

In the UK, Vauxhall retailers now have ready an extra 2,300 cars available to cater for the extra demand. Models across the range are on offer, including the newly-launched Astra Sport Hatch and the extra-value Breeze editions of Corsa, Meriva, Astra, Zafira and Vectra.

Vauxhall van retailers will also be taking part in the giant sales initiative, and the whole of the commercial vehicle range is be available as part of the programme. Eligible business customers will be offered test drives in Corsavan, Astravan, Combo, Vivaro and Movano models.

Certain restrictions will obviously apply to the offer and demand is expected to be high, so customers should contact Platinum Vauxhall; Frome on 01373 463351, Chippenham on 01249 654321 or Trowbridge on 01225 759575 for more information and to book a drive.

24/03/05

Vauxhall And Saab Sign End Of Life Contract

An agreement to enable Vauxhall and Saab GB to comply with European Union regulations on the disposal of old vehicles has been signed with vehicle recyclers Autogreen.

The recently enacted "End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005" make manufacturers responsible for establishing a nationwide take-back network for qualifying end-of-life vehicles at no cost to the last holder, and for their environmentally-friendly disposal.

By 1 January next year car makers must have in place an operational take-back network, and by 1 January 2007 must take back all qualifying vehicles.

Autogreen has signed a comprehensive 10-year agreement with Vauxhall and Saab GB to provide a full, free service for owners who eventually wish to dispose of their cars.

Although newly founded, Autogreen is composed of professionals who have been in the vehicle dismantling and disposal business for many years. It initially has 50 approved treatment facilities with a further increase planned during this year to ensure a nationwide service for the final owners of Vauxhall and Saab end-of-life vehicles.

24/03/05

More Performance From Less Fuel - New Engine To Power Zafira

" Lightweight 140PS 1.8-litre makes debut in new version of MPV best seller
" More power, reduced fuel consumption, improved flexibility, enhanced refinement

It's a win-win-win-win situation for anyone choosing the new 1.8-litre petrol engine in the new Vauxhall Zafira, on sale in July. Compared to the outgoing model's 1.8 powerplant, the replacement has 14 per cent more power, consumes four per cent less fuel, has improved flexibility and is even more refined!

With a power output of 140PS, the new 1.8 ECOTEC engine is one of the most powerful in this displacement class, but it's far from being a highly-stressed race engine with peaky power delivery. Thanks to advanced valve and cam phasing technology, 90 per cent of the 175Nm maximum torque is available from 2200 to 6200 rpm. This wide range ensures lively performance and exceptional pulling power even at low engine speeds, making everyday driving more relaxed with less need to change gear.

Although most motorists will only need to know that the all-new 16-valve engine makes the Zafira great to drive, there are numerous innovations which will be of interest to the technologically minded: two continuously adjustable camshafts (DCVCP - Double Continuous Variable Cam Phasing) to make the best use of fuel; a two-step intake manifold with a rotary sleeve instead of flaps to minimise flow losses; a highly efficient oil-water heat exchanger; a map-controlled thermostat; and a deep drawn exhaust manifold with an integrated catalytic converter.

Lightweight design also contributes to the high efficiency of the engine. In spite of additional features such as DCVCP, the engineers succeeded in making the new unit three per cent lighter than the previous version while achieving increased stiffness and structural strength. The cylinder block alone is 20 per cent lighter than its predecessor due to a hollow frame concept.

Unlike conventional engines, where the crankshaft and camshaft are mechanically linked in a fixed Crank Angle (CA) via a toothed belt or a chain, this engine allows the intake and exhaust cam to twist relative to the crankshaft. This is continuously varied on the new 1.8-litre engine using an extremely compact, lightweight hydraulic vane type phaser.

Depending on the engine's speed and operating conditions, the valve timing can be selected for optimum performance or fuel consumption. Advantages of the double camshaft adjustment include higher power output and torque characteristics over a wide engine speed range; reduced exhaust emissions thanks to high gas recirculation rates; and reduced fuel consumption using a de-throttled charge cycle.

While the advanced new four-cylinder unit will debut in the Zafira, it will spread to other models in the Vauxhall range in the near future.

At a glance data:

24/03/05

VX Racing Announces Third Driver For 2005 BTCC Campaign

VX Racing has announced the long-awaited decision on the third driver for its 2005 British Touring Car Championship campaign. After much speculation, Gavin Smith joins the championship-winning team, taking the coveted Vauxhall seat to drive alongside former BTCC champion, Yvan Muller, and team mate Colin Turkington. Smith made his VX Racing debut at a test at Magny-Cours earlier this week as the team made its final preparations before the start of the BTCC season.

Smith, 27, from Dublin, Ireland, competed in the 2004 Holiday Inn Seat Cupra Championship, finishing fifth overall with three wins. He began tin-top racing in 1998 in the Fiat Uno Championship in Ireland, winning the series at his first attempt and moved over to the single-seater Irish Formula Opel series the following year.

After a year out in 2001 due to family commitments, Smith returned to the scholarship class of the British Formula 3 championship in 2002 before returning to saloon car racing in 2003 with the inaugural Seat Cupra Championship. He scored one win in the championship to finish fourth, and went on to win a further three races in the same series in 2004.

"Signing for Vauxhall is the highlight of my career so far," says Smith. "When you're looking at various options you always aim high, but you can't get much higher than driving for Vauxhall in the BTCC, and I will be giving it my all to challenge for championship points along with Colin and Yvan. I had a productive test this week, and have learnt lots about the performance of the car and the team dynamic. I hope to be on the pace right from the start of the season."

Stuart Harris, VXR Brand Manager, Vauxhall Motors, adds, "After four years with the Astra Coupe, it's exciting to have some new challenges and fresh blood in the team. We have a new driver and a new car, so it's the start of a new era at VX Racing. Gavin is a talented driver and we hope he, and the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, will develop together to bring more success in 2005."

Smith and the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch will make their BTCC race debuts at the first round of the 2005 season at Donington Park on 10 April. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple title-winning success of the last four years.

23/03/05

Fuel Cell Vauxhall Zafira To Do The Full Monte!

" HydroGen3 Zafira to enter gruelling Monte Carlo Fuel Cell and Hybrid Rally.
" Car to be driven by F1 and Touring car star Heinz-Harald Frentzen
" Event begins on April 2

The Monte Carlo rally course is grueling enough for a conventional car, but that hasn't stopped Vauxhall from entering its experimental HydroGen3, a fuel cell prototype based on the Zafira MPV, in a very special event to prove its reliability. The car will be on the grid for the first weekend of April at the Monte Carlo Fuel Cell and Hybrid Rally, with star driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen behind the wheel. Frentzen was Formula One World Championship runner-up in 1997, is a three-time Formula One Grand Prix winner and current driver in the German Touring Car Championship.

The Monte Carlo event involves driving to target times and is organised by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobil) and the Automobile Club de Monaco (A. C. M.). It begins with vehicle scrutineering on 1st April in Lugano, Switzerland, and the rally itself kicks off on April 2 at 9.00 a.m.

The 255 mile long route passes through Switzerland, Italy and France to Monaco, and according to the rules the fuel cell vehicles are allowed one stop for refueling. "Because it passes through the Maritime Alps, the Rally Monte Carlo is considered one of the most difficult in the world", says Dr. Udo Winter, Chief Engineer at GM Fuel Cell Activities centre in Germany. "We want to expose the HydroGen3 to this particular challenge because, in terms of fuel cell technology, we are at a developmental stage in which it all comes down to testing, particularly under extreme conditions."

The five-seat HydroGen3 is powered by a 60 kW/82 PS three-phase asynchronous motor. The required electrical energy is produced by a fuel cell stack comprising a total of 200 individual cells connected in series. With its almost noiseless propulsion system, this front-wheel drive vehicle accelerates from zero to 60mph in around 16 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 100mph, but only produces water from its exhaust pipe!

The HydroGen3 has already proven its endurance, most recently in the summer of 2004 at the Fuel Cell Marathon. In 38 days, the prototype traveled over 6,000 miles between Hammerfest, Norway and Cabo da Roca, Portugal - a new world record for a fuel cell vehicle.

18/03/05

Another Award For Vauxhall Astra

" Astra wins Fleet News Award
" Judges rate it as Best Lower-Medium Car

VAUXHALL'S highly acclaimed new Astra has added another award to its rapidly growing and impressive array of silverware.

Judges at the fleet industry "Oscars" - The Fleet News Awards - voted the new Astra the best Lower-Medium Fleet Car of the Year and praised its design, styling and desirability.

The Fleet News judges highlighted the strong engine range, body style options, improved quality and low running costs. "If an award was based on design alone, then the Astra would have taken the honours easily, but it was a hard fight to come out on top, which makes this crucial award all the more well deserved," they said.

The Award was presented to Fleet Brand Manager Paul Adler in front of an audience of 1400 guests at the Fleet News Awards dinner at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Earlier this year new Astra was voted New Fleet Car of the Year in the Fleet Excellence Awards by the 32,000 readers of Fleet Week and Fleet Management magazines.

A new Sport Hatch version of the Astra - with coupe-like styling but hatchback practicality - goes on sale next month, joining the estate and powerful new CDTi diesel derivatives which were launched last autumn.

Maurice Howkins, Vauxhall and Saab fleet sales director, said he was delighted with the further recognition for the Astra which he described as "the dominant car in its class in the fleet market."

"New Astra is an exceptionally strong seller in the fleet market and this is further recognition of just what an outstanding new model it is. And this is without the benefit of the superb new, visually stunning three door Sport Hatch which launches next month," he said.

16/03/05

Irmscher Styling Pack Adds Bite To New Tigra

The new Vauxhall Tigra may be one of the snappiest lookers around, but that has not stopped the auto design specialists at Irmscher from creating a styling pack to give this eye-catching coupé / convertible even more street appeal.

The new Irmscher Styling Pack consists of front lower skirt extensions, rear wing spoiler and sports exhaust silencer with twin round tailpipes, plus Irmscher chrome-effect badge and keyring.

Tigra owners can make a saving of £134 by purchasing the styling accessories together rather than individually, and the pack can be supplied and fitted by Vauxhall-trained technicians for just £995, including painting.

All styling accessories for the Tigra are available from your local Vauxhall retailer, and are covered by a two-year warranty so you can be sure of the highest quality and a perfect fit.

Other exterior styling accessories now available for the Tigra include an Irmscher-branded cross-hatch grille with aluminium band and stainless steel door handle covers. There is also a choice of six different alloy wheel designs, plus uprated springs and suspension tuning parts to make the driving experience ever sportier.

In addition, retailers stock a wide variety of interior trim accessories to fit the new Tigra, including aluminium pedals, sports steering wheels, plus gear knobs and handbrake levers in a variety of special effects.

07/03/05

Astra La Vista - Vauxhall's Hatch Is Number One Seller

" Astra overtakes newly-launched rival to become UK's top seller for February
" Vauxhall takes overall number one manufacturer spot in car sales charts
" Corsa and Zafira dominate their sectors

Buyers made the Astra Britain's best selling car in February - despite the launch of some very high profile rivals. Official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 4703 Astras found new homes last month, giving it six per cent of the total market.

Strong sales of the Astra added to Vauxhall's other February successes, giving it the overall number one manufacturer spot with 11,817 car sales. Corsa continued to dominate the supermini sector and came in at number three in the charts, while the Zafira was the only MPV to appear in the top 10 - despite a new model being just around the corner.

The Astra's impressive performance is expected to become even stronger over the next few months, when the stylish Sport Hatch models finally reach eager buyers. Vauxhall is also working hard to secure extra production of the sportier SRi and SXi models, which have been in especially high demand. Almost a fifth of all Astras registered last month were these sporty variants, which bodes well for the launch of the storming 240bhp VXR, due to go on sale in September.

Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall's Executive Director for UK & Ireland said: "It's particularly gratifying to 'do the double' with both the car and manufacturer top sales spots in a month when our main rivals are launching new products. It proves that customers really appreciate the stylish looks and driving dynamics which the Astra - and all Vauxhalls - provide. The arrival of the Sport Hatch, plus extra-value models such as the Breeze special editions, mean that we intend to push the pedal further over the next few months."

UK car sales - February 2005

Source: SMMT

02/03/05

Vauxhall Launches The World's Biggest Ever Test Drive Programme

" Million Mile Drive initiative launched across Europe with 35,000 demonstrators
" Buyers to experience Vauxhall quality and driving dynamics in three-day long tests
" 54,000 British drivers expected to take part

It seems amazing, but around half of all new car buyers will happily spend thousands of pounds on a new motor without ever driving it. Even those who take a test drive will base their buying decision on just a quick whiz around the block with a salesman in the passenger seat. How can you tell how it handles on the roads you'll use it on every day? Does the engine perform well in the conditions you'll use the car? Will the baby's pushchair fit in the boot? Can you reverse it onto your driveway easily? It might be that you've no idea of the car's abilities until it's too late to change your mind.

Vauxhall is so confident of its range of vehicles that it has launched the biggest test drive initiative the world has ever seen. And rather than just having a spin around the block, serious buyers will be given the chance to keep a Vauxhall demonstrator for three days to see how it could fit into their lives.

Announcing the initiative at the Geneva Motor Show, GM's European Chairman Fritz Henderson said: "We know how good our cars are. Journalists have confirmed what we know, and now drivers all across Europe have the chance to see and experience it themselves."

Across Europe around 35,000 test cars will be made available in 40 European countries, and a total of more than a million miles are expected to be driven by potential customers in the three month campaign.

In the UK, Vauxhall retailers will be making an extra 2,300 cars available from the beginning of April until the end of June to cater for the extra demand. Models across the range will be on offer, including the newly-launched Astra Sport Hatch and the extra-value Breeze editions of Corsa, Meriva, Astra, Zafira and Vectra.

Vauxhall van retailers will also be taking part in the giant sales initiative, and the whole of the commercial vehicle range will be available as part of the programme. Eligible business customers will be offered test drives in Corsavan, Astravan, Combo, Vivaro and Movano models.

The British programme will run until the end of June, when around 54,000 potential buyers will have experienced the quality, style and driving dynamics of the modern Vauxhall range.

Certain restrictions will obviously apply to the offer, so customers should contact Platinum Vauxhall; Frome on 01373 463351, Chippenham on 01249 654321 or Trowbridge on 01225 759575 for more information and to book a drive.

01/03/05

New Zafira Vxr: 240ps, 144mph And Seven Seats!

" Daddy gets even cooler with hot version of new Zafira
" UK's fastest MPV on sale in October

Family life doesn't have to mean kids get all the toys! Vauxhall has just revealed its hot version of the new Zafira, and it promises to offer hot-hatch looks, performance and driving dynamics combined with the family-friendly flexibility of a seven-seat MPV. Making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the new model will replace the highly-successful GSi version of the outgoing Zafira which was the first MPV to make the school run fun.

The new car promises to be even more thrilling, thanks to the 240PS, 320Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine which it shares with the Astra VXR. Coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox, it's estimated that the Zafira VXR will hit 60mph from a standstill in 7.2 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 144mph, making it the fastest production MPV in Britain.

To ensure that the car can be agile and responsive through the bends - even with the vastly differing load weights of between one and seven passengers - Vauxhall's innovative IDSPlus electronic chassis control is fitted as standard. Huge brakes (321mm discs at the front) with distinctive blue brake callipers ensure the VXR can stop safely and effectively, even when fully laden.

The hottest Zafira's dramatic look is underlined by the exterior styling, with the VXR trademark honeycomb grille, a larger front bumper with a central air intake and integrated fog lights. Deep side sill extensions lead to a new rear bumper incorporating twin trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes. A tailgate-topping spoiler and massive18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 ZR 18 tyres complete the look. If you still don't think the Zafira looks like the daddy, then supercar-sized 19-inch alloys are an option.

The interior is equally dramatic to look at, although it still maintains the practicality Zafira drivers expect. Front seat occupants enjoy the comfort and support of Recaro sport seats in two-tone leather/fabric. Trim strips on the instrument and door panels are colour-coordinated to the seats, and the sports steering wheel and gearshift lever incorporate the VXR logo. Like its predecessor, the VXR uses the ingenious and easy-to-use Flex7 seating system which allows the Zafira to be turned from a seven to a six, five, four, three or two-seater in a matter of seconds without having to remove or stow away the seats.

The new Zafira range goes on sale in July, with the VXR model following three months later in October. Prices will be announced nearer to launch.

25/02/05

Take A Day Trip To The Geneva Motor Show And Try Exciting New Vauxhalls For Size!

" First chance to see the New Zafira, plus two more world debuts
" Low cost flights and cheap entry tickets make it practical to get to Swiss show

With bargain-priced flights and the airport next door to the exhibition hall, it makes real sense for British car fans to hop on a low-cost airline and pop into the Geneva Motor Show for a day trip between 3-13 March. And with new versions of British favourites such as the Zafira making their debut, it's the perfect opportunity to try the new version of Britain's most popular MPV out for size, pick up some brochures and see all the glamour of the Swiss show.

Car fans will find that getting to the exhibition in Geneva can actually be less traumatic - and costly - than some family days out in Britain. A quick trawl on the internet can find flights from the low cost carriers over the show period at around £120 return, and the airport is connected by a walkway to the exhibition. For those with a little more time on their hands, an overnight stay can halve the flight costs, leaving you enough cash for a hotel and maybe even some chocolate! Entrance tickets to the halls cost 12 Swiss Francs, which is only around £5.60.

Once inside there will be plenty of tasty machinery to keep enthusiasts entertained, including the most talked-about hot-hatch of the year: the Astra VXR - albeit wearing the badges of sister company Opel. Fans of the VXR brand will also find a special surprise on the stand - perfect for anyone who wants to prove that they're the daddy….

Expect a crowd waiting to try the Astra Sport Hatch models with the Panorama windscreen too. With a huge expanse of glass stretching uninterrupted back to the B pillar, the stylish innovation offers a new sense of space and visibility. For those who want a vision of the future, there's the first chance for Europeans to see the Astra Diesel Hybrid concept, with the world's first two-mode diesel-electric power.

And once you've left the show, remember to leave enough time for a walk around the airport shops. As it's not part of the EU, Switzerland can still sell duty free!

18/02/05

The Rumbler from Down Under New Monaro V8 Arrives in Britain

" Vauxhall's muscle car revised for 2005
" More power, chassis tweaks and brawnier looks
" 354PS of V8 performance for just £29,895
" On sale from 10 March

No one ever accused the Monaro of lacking brawn, but that hasn't stopped Vauxhall sending its muscle car for a thorough workout. After its strict training programme, the Australian-built super coupe has finally emerged looking meaner than ever. And the stylish twin bonnet scoops, bigger air dam, two big-bore exhausts and new 18-inch wheels aren't just for show - the latest model has more power, bigger brakes and a heavily-revised chassis too.

The heart of the Monaro - its 5.7-litre V8 - has been tweaked with a new induction system, a free-flowing exhaust, reprofiled cams and engine management to give even more power and torque. Besides improving the distinctive exhaust note rumble, the improvements mean the engine now produces a massive 354PS (up from the previous model's 333PS) while torque rises from 343lb.ft to 353lb.ft (500Nm). Performance figures have yet to be set, but it's estimated that the new Monaro will comfortably exceed 160mph and should hit 60mph from a standstill in around 5.6 seconds.

To tame the power and further improve the Monaro's dynamic handling, the chassis has been uprated with sportier suspension settings. Lightweight steering components are now fitted to improve feel and feedback, while relocating the fuel tank has improved overall weight distribution. New 320mm ventilated front discs, borrowed from the latest Corvette C6, make sure the Monaro stops faster than ever too.

Besides the fully-functional bonnet scoops and new air dam, other visual changes include improved head and fog lamps plus a reshaped rear bumper to house huge twin 63mm tailpipes. In addition to looking beefier and sounding great, the new exhaust system has allowed an aerodynamic tray to be fitted underneath the car to improve airflow at high speeds.

Inside the cabin, an extra pair of instruments has been added to a new central binnacle, and the facia panel now has a modern high gloss 'piano' black finish.

Despite the improvements, the price of the Monaro has been kept below £30,000, representing exceptional value - some rivals can only offer smaller coupes with puny four-cylinder engines at this price level. Vauxhall's specialist network of Monaro retailers are accepting orders right now, and the first cars are expected to reach showrooms in early March.

15/02/05

New Astra Sport Hatch Set to Make Big Impression

" Striking coupe-inspired styling
" Innovative chassis combines outstanding handling with safety
" Four petrol and three diesel engines
" Unique Panoramic Windscreen available on all models

The Sport Hatch is Vauxhall's latest and most dynamic version of the Astra range, set to star in a rapidly evolving market segment. Combining low, sporty styling with a scintillating driving experience, Sport Hatch offers a radical reinterpretation of the more traditional "five minus two" design of a three-door hatchback.

As the Sport Hatch is expected to appeal to younger buyers, the range consists only of the sporty models from the Astra range; SXi, SRi and Design. Vauxhall will be contesting this year's British Touring Car Championship with a VX Racing version of the Sport Hatch, and the searing road-going VXR will go on sale later this year.

Styled to stand out

The "GTC Genéve" concept, which was the star of the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, can now be seen to be very close to the production reality of the finished Sport Hatch.

With its stunning coupe-inspired styling, the Astra Sport Hatch certainly looks the business. The roofline is 32 mm lower than that of the five door Astra and almost every exterior panel is different. With low mounted sports seats it has a cabin to match the dynamic exterior styling, but practicality is still strong with a 302 litre boot and five-seat capacity.

Every Sport Hatch comes with the option of Vauxhall's innovative Panoramic Windscreen, which has become this year's most talked about motoring innovation - a 1.5 metre long sweep of glass to the middle of the roof, without the distraction of any bars or pillars. The experience is like sitting in the cockpit of a fighter jet.

Dynamic appeal backed with technology

With all versions enjoying the benefits of a taut sports chassis the Sport Hatch is as good to drive as it is to look at. A range of standard and optional driving aids add reassurance - including ESPPlus stability control and Vauxhall's Interactive Driving System, which includes features such as electronically controlled shock absorbers which the Astra was first to bring to this segment.

Comprehensive choice of engines

No fewer than four petrol and three diesel engines will be available in the Astra Sport Hatch from launch, all offering strong performance, low running costs and strong economy.

The 1.4i 16v (90PS) and 1.6i 16v (105PS) petrol engines both feature TWINPORT technology to improve fuel consumption and increase power. The 1.8i 16v engine offers 125PS, and performance enthusiasts will be delighted by the option of Vauxhall's acclaimed 2.0 turbo petrol motor with 170PS.

All three CDTi common-rail diesel engines pass the stringent Euro IV emissions tests while also offering outstanding frugality. The 1.7 CDTi has 100PS and manages up to 65.7mpg, while two 1.9 versions provide serious performance - available in either powerful 120 PS or hot-hatch baiting 150PS states of tune.

The 2.0 T petrol and both 1.9 diesel engines benefit from a standard six-speed manual gearbox. "Easytronic" clutchless transmission is also available in conjunction with the 1.6 petrol engine, and a conventional auto is optional with the 1.8-litre unit.

In the cabin

With an ergonomic driving position and excellent standard equipment the Astra Sport Hatch is a great place to spend time. All versions come with air conditioning and a CD player. Numerous other audio options are available, including state-of-the-art sat nav systems, a DAB digital radio and MP3 compatible disc readers.

Safety

The Sport Hatch shares the crash protection system that has already won a top five-star Euro NCAP rating for the five-door Astra. All models feature six airbags as standard and an impressively rigid bodyshell. Extensive testing has proved that cars fitted with the Panoramic Windscreen enjoy the same levels of safety and composure as those without.

Ultra-competitive running costs

Variable servicing intervals ensure the Sport Hatch spends only the minimum amount of time off the road. Depending on use, petrol models can go up to 20,000 miles or two years between services, while diesels can manage 30,000 miles or two years. Intelligent design of components ensures that repair costs are minimised for minor accidents to help keep insurance premiums low.

11/02/05

New Zafira: Second Generation of Vauxhall Trendsetter

" Bigger interior
" Panorama roof system
" Unrivalled versatility
" Seven engines
" On sale in UK in July

Vauxhall will unveil the second generation of its hugely-successful MPV trendsetter, the new Zafira, at the Geneva Motor Show next month (3-13 March).

Stylish new Zafira features dynamic design and driving performance as well as a larger, high-quality interior. The Flex7 seating system continues to set standards with its ingenious versatility.

An innovative panorama roof system, with integrated storage compartments, makes its debut with new Zafira, creating a pleasing, light atmosphere for passengers.

Familiar from the Astra and redeveloped for new Zafira, the IDSPlus chassis (Interactive Driving System) with electronic CDC (Continuous Damping Control) ensures exciting driving. Adaptive forward lighting (AFL) is available for the first time in an MPV.

There are two diesel and four petrol engines from the ECOTEC family with power outputs of 100 to 200hp. The top-of-the-line engine is the 200hp 2.0 turbo, taking the Zafira to a maximum speed of around 137mph. Vauxhall's new 1.9-litre common-rail turbo-diesel engine joins the line-up.

Zafira was launched in 1999 as the first MPV with a third row of seats that could be completely folded down and stowed away. It was this easy-to-operate Flex7 seating system that was decisive in the unrivalled success of the multiple award-winning bestseller.

To date, around 1.4 million units of the original Zafira have been produced with 15 per cent sold in the UK, where sales have risen every year since launch. In 2004 more than 51,000 Britons bought Zafiras, easily keeping the model at the top of its sector despite growing competition.

The new Zafira's look is confident, dynamic and unmistakeably related to its Astra stablemate.

Length/width excluding exterior mirrors/height figures are 4467/1776/1637mm (176/70/64.4in). That makes the new Zafira 150mm (6in) longer, 34mm (1.5in) wider and a shade taller than the current model.

New Zafira's elegant and dynamic looks are accentuated by eye-catching details such as large air inlets in the front bumper, visibly hi-tech, three-dimensional headlamps and tail lights.

In the driver-oriented cockpit the gear shift lever is positioned higher for easy, comfortable operation, making space for a U-shaped aircraft style hand brake lever integrated in the centre console, and an additional storage compartment.

A large, easy to read monitor displays all information for the infotainment systems with intuitive operating concept, including units with DVD navigation and Bluetooth technology.

In terms of comfort and space, the new Zafira is a step ahead of the first generation model. Thanks to its long wheelbase (2703mm/106.4in) and clever packaging, up to seven passengers have even more room in all three rows. The Flex7 seating system ensures maximum versatility for all transport needs. In a matter of seconds, the Zafira can easily be turned from a seven to a six, five, four, three or two-seater, without having to remove or stow away the seats.

In five-seat configuration, the new Zafira's luggage compartment volume is 620 litres,
20 litres more than in its predecessor. Depending on the trim level, the new Zafira will offer around 30 practical storage compartments. The FlexOrganizer cargo management system from the new Astra Estate - it keeps the boot and its cargo neat and tidy beyond belief - is now also available for the Zafira.

The optional panorama roof with integrated storage facilities has its world premiere in new Zafira. With four large glass panels, the system offers passengers a pleasant, light atmosphere while dark tinted glass and a power-operated shading system protects against strong sunlight. A centre roof console running the length of the ceiling has five different-sized storage compartments.

Prices of the new Zafira will be announced closer to the July launch date.

01/02/05

Avoid Speeding Fines with New Vauxhall Accessory

Owners of Vauxhall cars and vans can now enjoy the benefits of a competitively-priced Driver Safety and Information System that could save them from speeding fines, licence endorsements and even higher insurance premiums.

The award-winning Origin b2 system has been added to the range of accessories available through Vauxhall retailers throughout the UK. It costs £429.95

No matter how careful you are at observing the speed limit, there is always a risk of being caught on camera if, for example, you have failed to react quickly enough to changing speed limits on an unfamiliar road. With the number of fixed speed cameras set to triple to over 13,000 in the next few years, the pitfalls ahead are even greater.

Using the latest GPS satellite technology, the dashboard-mounted Origin b2 device not only warns drivers of approaching speed cameras. It also offers valuable safety benefits such as alerting drivers to accident black spots, schools and even congestion charging cameras.

It can detect all types of speed camera, from Gatso and Truvelo to DS2 Speedmaster and mobile police laser traps. As the laser detector is a separate module, the system will remain legal even if the possible ban on laser detectors becomes law in the second half of 2006. It features a high-resolution LCD display and a variety of alerts for impending hazards, including spoken warnings.

The system's database can be easily and quickly updated via the internet or an optional modem and it comes with six months free subscription to updates. The GPS position display will also help emergency services to identify the vehicle's location in the event of a breakdown.

The Origin b2 is powered via the cigarette lighter and is easily installed without professional assistance or the need to drill holes that could damage the fascia, although professional installation is an option available through Vauxhall dealers. It is portable between cars, making it even better value, and is covered by a 24 month warranty.

24/01/05

Right to the Core of Things: Vauxhall adds 0% Finance to Core Conversions

" 0% finance across the range
" Rates from £210 a month
" Business Lease weekly rates from £39
" Free satnav for some Astravans if you hurry

It has become even easier to get behind the wheel of one of the award winning range of commercial vehicles from Vauxhall - with three years 0% finance available until 31 March.

On selected Astravan Envoys you can even combine this offer with free satellite navigation while stocks last.

The same 0% finance deal is available across Vauxhall's increasingly popular range of commercial vehicle core conversions. The Movano core conversions build on the chassis cab and crew cab and include tipper and dropside. A 17-seater minibus is also available.

With everything from light vans and medium panel vans, through to 3.5 tonne heavy vans, chassis cabs and crew cabs, Corsavan, Astravan and Combo, the stylish Vivaro and the award-winning Movano are all at the top of the "must have" league in the crowded UK market place.

0% Typical APR finance examples:

1.3 CDTi Corsavan (on the road exc VAT £9473.32) is yours for a deposit of £1894 plus £1631 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £210.52

Astravan Envoy 1.7CDTi (on the road exc VAT £11,358.32) is yours for a deposit of £2251 plus £1944 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £250.18

Combo 1700 1.3 CDTi (on the road exc VAT £10,383.32) is yours for a deposit of £2076 plus £1781 and 36 monthly payments of £230.74

Vivaro 2700 1.9 CDTi (82PS) (on the road exc VAT £13,708.32) is yours for a deposit of £2741 plus £2363 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £304.63

Movano 2800 1.9CDTi (82ps) SR (on the road exc VAT £15,353.32) is yours for a deposit of £3070 plus £2651 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £341.18

Movano 3500 2.5 CDTi MWB chassis cab (on the road exc VAT £17,203.32) is yours for a deposit of £3440 plus £2975 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £382.30

Business lease is designed specifically for business users who prefer to pay for using a van rather than owning it. For example an eligible user could have the use of a Corsavan 1.3 CDTi for a weekly equivalent of £39, or the top Movano 3500 2.5 CDTi 100PS LWB crew cab tipper for £99.

There are enough reasons now to nip down to your local Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle Retailer and take a close look at your potential new work partner.

20/01/05

Astra Sport Hatch Prices Announced

" Latest stylish addition to range starts at £13,795
" Panoramic glass roof option to cost just £850
" On sale from 10 April

The Astra Sport Hatch has just been added to the Vauxhall price list, and it's good news for style conscious buyers. Despite the new model's coupe-like styling, the range is no more expensive than the equivalent 5-door versions, starting at just £13,795 for the 1.4SXi.

What's more, the Panoramic Windscreen option, which has become the year's most talked about automotive innovation, will cost just £850 when it becomes available in May. With a huge section of glass stretching from the top of the bonnet over the passengers' heads, it's set to bring a whole new dimension to driving, especially on scenic roads.

With looks which are little changed from the stunning GTC concept car, which starred at the 2003 Geneva motor show, the Astra Sport Hatch's bold styling has taken the industry by surprise, and makes rivals' offerings look instantly dull. But despite its coupe-like looks, the Sport Hatch still offers the practicality you'd expect from an Astra, with five seats and a 302-litre boot capacity.

"With the new Astra Sport Hatch we are introducing a model that breaks away from the traditional 'two doors less than a five-door' approach," says Kevin Wale, Vauxhall's chairman and managing director. "The Sport Hatch will particularly appeal to drivers who want expressive design, innovative technology and exciting driving, but have a lifestyle which still requires an element of practicality. With the Sport Hatch there are no compromises."

Because of the Sport Hatch's unique position, only the sporty SXI, SRi and Design trim levels will be offered, all fitted as standard with lowered sports suspension and alloy wheels. Petrol engines range from the tax-efficient and sprightly 90PS 1.4i up to the 170PS 2-litre turbo. The diesels - a 1.7-litre and a pair of 1.9-litres - are all EuroIV emissions compliant to minimise tax liability for company car drivers, yet the 150PS unit can offer hot-hatch like performance, with a 0-60mph time of just 8.3 seconds combined with a 42.2mpg average economy figure. The stunning flagship for the Sport Hatch range, the 240bhp VXR, will go on sale in the summer.

On the road prices are as follows:

* Exterior Pack comprises 18-inch five spoke alloy wheels, body colour front/rear/side spoilers.

18/01/05

Hat Trick of Fleet Awards for Vauxhall

" Vauxhall wins Fleet Manufacturer of the Year Award
" Astra is New Fleet Car of the Year
" Vectra scoops Estate Car of the Year

VAUXHALL has scored a hat trick of award wins at the prestigious Fleet Excellence Awards including the top award for Fleet Manufacturer of the Year.

The new Astra was voted Fleet Car of the Year, while the estate version of the Vectra won the accolade for Estate Car of the Year.

The Awards were voted for by the 32,000 readers of Fleet Week, Fleet Management and What Van? Fleet magazines, who between them annually buy or specify many thousands of company cars and vans, and were presented at an awards ceremony at a top London hotel.

Vauxhall's achievement in winning the Fleet Manufacturer of the Year award reflected its position as best selling manufacturer in the fleet market in 2003, and in 2004 the manufacturer again claimed top spot with fleet sales of 223,058 for a 20.4% market share.

Tristan Young, editor of Fleet Week, said: "It has been a hugely successful year for Vauxhall, convincingly establishing itself as the number one fleet seller ahead of Ford. The Luton-based brand has worked massively hard to win fleet business and that's not gone unnoticed by our readers."

The new Astra was voted New Fleet Car of the Year and described by the judges as a "paradigm shifting" new launch for Vauxhall. A new sporty three-door version goes on sale in April, joining estate and powerful 150ps diesel derivatives which were launched last autumn.

"This is the big one and Vauxhall with its cracking all-new Astra, has won it. In recent years, it's been hard to get excited about Astra but that changed last May and looks set to continue this spring when the stylish three-door goes on sale," said Tristan Young.

Completing the triumvirate was the award for Estate Car of the Year which went to the Vectra estate with its cavernous 530 litres of bootspace (rising to 1850 litres with the seats folded flat), making it one of the largest cars in its class. Special mention was made of the Flex Organiser system which allows the load area to be divided up to safely carry smaller items.

"Now with a fantastic range of diesel and petrol engines, and despite fierce competition, it has clearly won fleet managers' hearts and minds," said Tristan Young.

Maurice Howkins, Vauxhall and Saab fleet sales director, said he was delighted to have won three awards and paid tribute to a great all-round team performance: "Vauxhall is thrilled to win these three awards which are in recognition of some great new products and a great effort from a very talented team of people in the last 12 months. We would like to thank our customers and the readers of Fleet Week and Fleet Management for voting for us," he said.

12/01/05

Vauxhall to Defend BTCC Titles with New Astra

Reigning champion Vauxhall will launch its assault on the 2005 British Touring Car Championship with a brand new three-door Astra this year - the new Astra Sport Hatch.

The new generation VX Racing car makes its competition debut in the opening rounds of the 2005 BTCC at Donington Park in April, in the same week its sister car, the three-door Astra Sport Hatch goes on sale across the UK.

An artist's impression of the new Astra Sport Hatch BTCC car is shown on Vauxhall's stand at this week's Autosport International exhibition (NEC, Birmingham, January 13-16).

Based on the latest generation Astra road car, Vauxhall's new racer comes with a strong racing pedigree, its predecessor, the out-going Astra Coupe, being the most successful car ever in the BTCC.

Stuart Harris, VXR Brand Manager, said: "The new Astra Sport Hatch has a tough act to follow because the old Astra Coupe was so incredibly successful, winning the BTCC manufacturer's, team and driver's titles for four straight seasons. It always takes some time to develop a new racing car, but the newcomer does have some inherent design advantages over the outgoing car, and we'd like to think it won't be long before the new Astra is winning races."

BTCC technical regulations require the racing cars to retain a strong similarity to their roadgoing counterparts, retaining essentially the same suspension layout, engine structure, engine position, and bodywork.

The new Astra Sport Hatch's chassis is stiffer than its predecessors, which benefits roadholding; the front and rear tracks are a little wider, which will aid stability and increase the grip potential; and the front and rear suspensions, while remaining essentially the same as the road car's in layout and geometry, have been re-tuned to increase installation stiffness and improve control. The new three-door Sport Hatch has a particularly low roofline, which gives a useful aerodynamic advantage.

Currently under construction, the new car is scheduled to have its first high-speed runs at Jarama circuit in Spain later this month.

11/01/05

Diesel Do Nicely - Vauxhall Sales Leap Up in 2004

" Registrations of diesel Vauxhalls up 34.9 percent
" More to come in 2005, with exciting new models

For Vauxhall, 2004 was certainly the year of the diesel. Sales of the company's oil-burners leapt up 34.9 percent year-on-year to 83,507, the biggest increase of any of the mainstream manufacturers. It means that more than half of some models such as the Vectra sold are now diesel powered, and increasing numbers of drivers are switching over to the new range of advanced and cost efficient engines.

What's behind the boom in demand for Vauxhall oil burners? There's little doubt that cost is still the major factor, with cars such as the Corsa CDTi capable of almost half the fuel consumption of some similarly-sized rivals with petrol power - that could mean thousands in savings across the average three years of ownership. Besides the cost, the increased range per tankful means that drivers of diesel cars have to spend far less time at the pumps or searching for one of the dwindling number of filling stations.

For company car drivers the cost savings are even greater. Even the most ardent petrol-head is sure to become converted once they realise that driving one of Vauxhall's CDTI engined models will spare some of their hard-earned wages from reaching the tax man.

But it's not just about the money. Advances in diesel engine technology have actually made some drivers prefer the seemingly effortless low-rev pulling power of a modern turbodiesel too, especially in town and on long motorway journeys.

There's plenty more in store from Vauxhall in 2005 too. The first 1.9-litre CDTi engined Astras are starting to reach customers, in both 120PS and 150PS form. Both powerplants will also be available in the new Sport Hatch, and the top level SRi version is set to become one of the most sought-after models for company-car drivers, thanks to its hot-hatch performance, coupe looks and low tax liability rating. Another high-economy diesel Astra variant will also be announced in the spring.

Meanwhile, the Tigra CDTi is now available to order, and will reach the UK by the end of February. With an average combined fuel economy figure of 61.4mpg, it's perfect for drivers who want head-turning drop-top style and still use less fuel than almost every other car on the road.

For those who aren't yet ready to switch over to using the black pump at filling stations, Vauxhall can still save fuel and money, without harming driving enjoyment. The new petrol engines across the Agila, Corsa, Tigra and Astra range use Twinport valve technology making the most of every gallon. The result is that the latest Corsa 1.4 requires around 18 per cent less fuel than its 1.4-litre predecessor.

For even bigger savings, there's always the LPG route. The newly-developed Corsa 1.2i Dualfuel produces just 119g/km of CO2, the lowest of any Vauxhall, and can squeeze around 214 miles out of £10 worth of fuel. Dualfuel versions of the Zafira and Vectra are also available, and an LPG-fuelled version of the Astra is just around the corner.

As thousands more drivers have discovered in 2004, Vauxhall's advanced engine technology can save money and the environment while still providing all the driving excitement and style buyers demand.

24/01/05

Right To The Core Of Things: Vauxhall Adds 0% Finance To Core Conversions

0% finance across the range
Rates from £210 a month
Business Lease weekly rates from £39
Free satnav for some Astravans if you hurry

It has become even easier to get behind the wheel of one of the award winning range of commercial vehicles from Vauxhall - with three years 0% finance available until 31 March.

On selected Astravan Envoys you can even combine this offer with free satellite navigation while stocks last.

The same 0% finance deal is available across Vauxhall's increasingly popular range of commercial vehicle core conversions. The Movano core conversions build on the chassis cab and crew cab and include tipper and dropside. A 17-seater minibus is also available.

With everything from light vans and medium panel vans, through to 3.5 tonne heavy vans, chassis cabs and crew cabs, Corsavan, Astravan and Combo, the stylish Vivaro and the award-winning Movano are all at the top of the "must have" league in the crowded UK market place.

0% Typical APR finance examples:
1.3 CDTi Corsavan (on the road exc VAT £9473.32) is yours for a deposit of £1894 plus £1631 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £210.52

Astravan Envoy 1.7CDTi (on the road exc VAT £11,358.32) is yours for a deposit of £2251 plus £1944 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £250.18

Combo 1700 1.3 CDTi (on the road exc VAT £10,383.32) is yours for a deposit of £2076 plus £1781 and 36 monthly payments of £230.74

Vivaro 2700 1.9 CDTi (82PS) (on the road exc VAT £13,708.32) is yours for a deposit of £2741 plus £2363 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £304.63

Movano 2800 1.9CDTi (82ps) SR (on the road exc VAT £15,353.32) is yours for a deposit of £3070 plus £2651 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £341.18

Movano 3500 2.5 CDTi MWB chassis cab (on the road exc VAT £17,203.32) is yours for a deposit of £3440 plus £2975 VAT and 36 monthly payments of £382.30

Business lease is designed specifically for business users who prefer to pay for using a van rather than owning it. For example an eligible user could have the use of a Corsavan 1.3 CDTi for a weekly equivalent of £39, or the top Movano 3500 2.5 CDTi 100PS LWB crew cab tipper for £99.

There are enough reasons now to nip down to Platinum Vauxhall and take a close look at your potential new work partner.

20/01/05

Astra Sport Hatch Prices Announced

- Latest stylish addition to range starts at £13,795
- Panoramic glass roof option to cost just £850
- On sale from 10 April

The Astra Sport Hatch has just been added to the Vauxhall price list, and it's good news for style conscious buyers. Despite the new model's coupe-like styling, the range is no more expensive than the equivalent 5-door versions, starting at just £13,795 for the 1.4SXi.

What's more, the Panoramic Windscreen option, which has become the year's most talked about automotive innovation, will cost just £850 when it becomes available in May. With a huge section of glass stretching from the top of the bonnet over the passengers' heads, it's set to bring a whole new dimension to driving, especially on scenic roads.

With looks which are little changed from the stunning GTC concept car, which starred at the 2003 Geneva motor show, the Astra Sport Hatch's bold styling has taken the industry by surprise, and makes rivals' offerings look instantly dull. But despite its coupe-like looks, the Sport Hatch still offers the practicality you'd expect from an Astra, with five seats and a 302-litre boot capacity.

"With the new Astra Sport Hatch we are introducing a model that breaks away from the traditional 'two doors less than a five-door' approach," says Kevin Wale, Vauxhall's chairman and managing director. "The Sport Hatch will particularly appeal to drivers who want expressive design, innovative technology and exciting driving, but have a lifestyle which still requires an element of practicality. With the Sport Hatch there are no compromises."

Because of the Sport Hatch's unique position, only the sporty SXI, SRi and Design trim levels will be offered, all fitted as standard with lowered sports suspension and alloy wheels. Petrol engines range from the tax-efficient and sprightly 90PS 1.4i up to the 170PS 2-litre turbo. The diesels - a 1.7-litre and a pair of 1.9-litres - are all EuroIV emissions compliant to minimise tax liability for company car drivers, yet the 150PS unit can offer hot-hatch like performance, with a 0-60mph time of just 8.3 seconds combined with a 42.2mpg average economy figure. The stunning flagship for the Sport Hatch range, the 240bhp VXR, will go on sale in the summer.

On the road prices are as follows (£):

Astra Sport Hatch SXi
1.4i 16v 13,795.00
1.6i 16v 14,295.00
1.7CDTi 16v (100PS) 15,695.00

Astra Sport Hatch Design
1.6i 16v 14,795.00
1.8i 16v 15,295.00
2.0i 16v Turbo 170PS 17,945.00
1.7CDTi 16v (100PS) 16,195.00
1.9CDTi 16v (120PS) 17,095.00
1.9CDTi 16v (150PS) 17,945.00

Astra Sport Hatch SRi
1.8i 16v 15,495.00
2.0i 16v Turbo 17,495.00
1.7CDTi 16v (100PS) 16,395.00
1.9CDTi 16v (120PS) 16,995.00
1.9CDTi 16v (150PS) 17,495.00

Astra Sport Hatch SRi with Exterior Pack*
1.8i 16v 16,145.00
2.0i 16v Turbo 18,145.00
1.7CDTi 16v (100PS) 17,045.00
1.9CDTi 16v (120PS) 17,645.00
1.9CDTi 16v (150PS) 18,145.00

* Exterior Pack comprises 18-inch five spoke alloy wheels, body colour front/rear/side spoilers.

18/1/05

Hat Trick Of Fleet Awards For Vauxhall

- Vauxhall wins Fleet Manufacturer of the Year Award
- Astra is New Fleet Car of the Year
- Vectra scoops Estate Car of the Year

VAUXHALL has scored a hat trick of award wins at the prestigious Fleet Excellence Awards including the top award for Fleet Manufacturer of the Year.
The new Astra was voted Fleet Car of the Year, while the estate version of the Vectra won the accolade for Estate Car of the Year.

The Awards were voted for by the 32,000 readers of Fleet Week, Fleet Management and What Van? Fleet magazines, who between them annually buy or specify many thousands of company cars and vans, and were presented at an awards ceremony at a top London hotel.

Vauxhall's achievement in winning the Fleet Manufacturer of the Year award reflected its position as best selling manufacturer in the fleet market in 2003, and in 2004 the manufacturer again claimed top spot with fleet sales of 223,058 for a 20.4% market share.

Tristan Young, editor of Fleet Week, said: "It has been a hugely successful year for Vauxhall, convincingly establishing itself as the number one fleet seller ahead of Ford. The Luton-based brand has worked massively hard to win fleet business and that's not gone unnoticed by our readers."

The new Astra was voted New Fleet Car of the Year and described by the judges as a "paradigm shifting" new launch for Vauxhall. A new sporty three-door version goes on sale in April, joining estate and powerful 150ps diesel derivatives which were launched last autumn.

"This is the big one and Vauxhall with its cracking all-new Astra, has won it. In recent years, it's been hard to get excited about Astra but that changed last May and looks set to continue this spring when the stylish three-door goes on sale," said Tristan Young.

Completing the triumvirate was the award for Estate Car of the Year which went to the Vectra estate with its cavernous 530 litres of bootspace (rising to 1850 litres with the seats folded flat), making it one of the largest cars in its class. Special mention was made of the Flex Organiser system which allows the load area to be divided up to safely carry smaller items.

"Now with a fantastic range of diesel and petrol engines, and despite fierce competition, it has clearly won fleet managers' hearts and minds," said Tristan Young.

Maurice Howkins, Vauxhall and Saab fleet sales director, said he was delighted to have won three awards and paid tribute to a great all-round team performance: "Vauxhall is thrilled to win these three awards which are in recognition of some great new products and a great effort from a very talented team of people in the last 12 months. We would like to thank our customers and the readers of Fleet Week and Fleet Management for voting for us," he said.

12/01/05

Vauxhall To Defend BTCC Titles With New Astra

Reigning champion Vauxhall will launch its assault on the 2005 British Touring Car Championship with a brand new three-door Astra this year - the new Astra Sport Hatch.

The new generation VX Racing car makes its competition debut in the opening rounds of the 2005 BTCC at Donington Park in April, in the same week its sister car, the three-door Astra Sport Hatch goes on sale across the UK.

An artist's impression of the new Astra Sport Hatch BTCC car is shown on Vauxhall's stand at this week's Autosport International exhibition (NEC, Birmingham, January 13-16).

Based on the latest generation Astra road car, Vauxhall's new racer comes with a strong racing pedigree, its predecessor, the out-going Astra Coupe, being the most successful car ever in the BTCC.

Stuart Harris, VXR Brand Manager, said: "The new Astra Sport Hatch has a tough act to follow because the old Astra Coupe was so incredibly successful, winning the BTCC manufacturer's, team and driver's titles for four straight seasons. It always takes some time to develop a new racing car, but the newcomer does have some inherent design advantages over the outgoing car, and we'd like to think it won't be long before the new Astra is winning races."

BTCC technical regulations require the racing cars to retain a strong similarity to their roadgoing counterparts, retaining essentially the same suspension layout, engine structure, engine position, and bodywork.

The new Astra Sport Hatch's chassis is stiffer than its predecessors, which benefits roadholding; the front and rear tracks are a little wider, which will aid stability and increase the grip potential; and the front and rear suspensions, while remaining essentially the same as the road car's in layout and geometry, have been re-tuned to increase installation stiffness and improve control. The new three-door Sport Hatch has a particularly low roofline, which gives a useful aerodynamic advantage.
Currently under construction, the new car is scheduled to have its first high-speed runs at Jarama circuit in Spain later this month

11/01/05

Diesel Do Nicely - Vauxhall Sales Leap Up In 2004

- Registrations of diesel Vauxhalls up 34.9 percent
- More to come in 2005, with exciting new models

For Vauxhall, 2004 was certainly the year of the diesel. Sales of the company's oil-burners leapt up 34.9 percent year-on-year to 83,507, the biggest increase of any of the mainstream manufacturers. It means that more than half of some models such as the Vectra sold are now diesel powered, and increasing numbers of drivers are switching over to the new range of advanced and cost efficient engines.

What's behind the boom in demand for Vauxhall oil burners? There's little doubt that cost is still the major factor, with cars such as the Corsa CDTi capable of almost half the fuel consumption of some similarly-sized rivals with petrol power - that could mean thousands in savings across the average three years of ownership. Besides the cost, the increased range per tankful means that drivers of diesel cars have to spend far less time at the pumps or searching for one of the dwindling number of filling stations.

For company car drivers the cost savings are even greater. Even the most ardent petrol-head is sure to become converted once they realise that driving one of Vauxhall's CDTI engined models will spare some of their hard-earned wages from reaching the tax man.

But it's not just about the money. Advances in diesel engine technology have actually made some drivers prefer the seemingly effortless low-rev pulling power of a modern turbodiesel too, especially in town and on long motorway journeys.

There's plenty more in store from Vauxhall in 2005 too. The first 1.9-litre CDTi engined Astras are starting to reach customers, in both 120PS and 150PS form. Both powerplants will also be available in the new Sport Hatch, and the top level SRi version is set to become one of the most sought-after models for company-car drivers, thanks to its hot-hatch performance, coupe looks and low tax liability rating. Another high-economy diesel Astra variant will also be announced in the spring.

Meanwhile, the Tigra CDTi is now available to order, and will reach the UK by the end of February. With an average combined fuel economy figure of 61.4mpg, it's perfect for drivers who want head-turning drop-top style and still use less fuel than almost every other car on the road.

For those who aren't yet ready to switch over to using the black pump at filling stations, Vauxhall can still save fuel and money, without harming driving enjoyment. The new petrol engines across the Agila, Corsa, Tigra and Astra range use Twinport valve technology making the most of every gallon. The result is that the latest Corsa 1.4 requires around 18 per cent less fuel than its 1.4-litre predecessor.

For even bigger savings, there's always the LPG route. The newly-developed Corsa 1.2i Dualfuel produces just 119g/km of CO2, the lowest of any Vauxhall, and can squeeze around 214 miles out of £10 worth of fuel. Dualfuel versions of the Zafira and Vectra are also available, and an LPG-fuelled version of the Astra is just around the corner.

As thousands more drivers have discovered in 2004, Vauxhall's advanced engine technology can save money and the environment while still providing all the driving excitement and style buyers demand.

23/12/04

Astra Convertible Goes Exclusiv

- More style and a saving of £1,900
- 17-inch alloy wheels, coloured roof and part leather trim as standard
- Offered with three years 0% finance

Getting something for nothing is rare enough, but buyers looking for a stylish drop top in the New Year will actually find they can get £950 worth of extras and actually pay £1,900 less!

Based on the popular £18,895 1.8-litre 16v model, which currently accounts for over half of all Astra Convertible sales, the new Exclusiv model costs just £16,995 on the road; that's a massive drop of £1,900. But instead of stripping out equipment to make the savings, Vauxhall has actually added £950 worth of stylish extras.

In addition to the standard remote control power roof, ESP and air-conditioning, the Exclusiv boasts 17-inch five spoke alloys which were previously reserved for the range-topping turbo model. In addition, a blue-coloured soft top (black on Carbon Black models) and cruise control are also fitted. Part leather Silverstone seat trim, white instruments and front fog lights add a sporty touch of luxury.

For those who want to improve the looks of the car even further, massive 18-inch 11 spoke alloy wheels are available for a surprisingly reasonable £200 extra.

The bold new Astra Convertible Exclusiv is available in three colours - Carbon Black, Silver Lightning and Horizon Blue, and the first cars will be available in mid-January.

And there's more good news for cost-conscious customers. As a special deal for buyers who get to dealers before the traditional springtime rush for drop tops, the Exclusiv is offered with a choice of zero percent finance over three years with a minimum deposit of 40% or a £1000 Finance Deposit Allowance. The deal is only valid for orders registered before 31st March, so it's best to bag a bargain before the first of the spring sunshine appears!

17/12/04

Bright Ideas - Vauxhall Brings Light To Britain's Shortest Day

- Advanced headlamps to improve safety and reduce driver fatigue
- Vauxhalls can now see around corners and far into the distance
- Next generation of lights will even read maps and adapt to the weather!

December 21st marks the winter solstice, the day when Britain has the fewest hours of daylight in the year. With most of the country seeing the sun for only around seven and a half hours, it means that the majority of the population will have to travel to work in darkness, and then find the sun has set by the time it's time to go home again
Besides being gloomy, cold and wet, the winter conditions make driving treacherous. Statistics gathered by Vauxhall show that over 80 per cent of all road traffic accidents occur in darkness and bad weather, making a compelling reason for the company's engineers to develop the next generation of truly intelligent lighting systems. The aim is to improve visibility for the driver and achieve a significant increase in road safety and comfort.

Vauxhall is already a leader in the field of car lighting technology. In 2003 the company was the first mainstream car manufacturer to offer Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), a headlamp system which combines bi-xenon technology with a beam which moves as the car takes bends and then shifts upwards to increase visibility at motorway speeds. Additionally, another pair of extra bulbs illuminate to 'look' left and right at junctions. This year, the Astra became the first car to bring bi-xenon-based AFL, complete with its innovative curve lights, to the best-selling segment of Britain's car market.

These have been proven to significantly improve visibility on roads ranging from country lanes and motorways to urban roads, but Vauxhall engineers can see even further - they're looking into the future!

The next generation of headlamps, currently being developed and expected to be available in Vauxhall cars from 2007, will automatically adjust themselves to suit the road and visibility conditions. Rather than just being reactive to the driver's inputs, the new AFL will link to satellite navigation systems to predict the road conditions ahead and adjust the lighting accordingly. When travelling quickly in a straight line, for instance on the motorway, a far-reaching beam of light is needed. The requirements in an urban area are different, and the broadest blanket of light is needed to bring hazards into the driver's field of vision. On country roads, the road ahead and bends need to be illuminated accurately. With the sat-nav giving exact road information, the system will be able to adapt to bends or hilltops and avoid dazzling other road users. A bad weather light, using advanced sensors to sample the conditions, will help the driver see more in rain, snow or fog by using a wide-beam to pick out the edges of the carriageway and prevent glare from the road surface.

Drivers who have vision will find that the AFL system is an £850 option on most Signum and Vectra models, and costs £750 on the new Astra. For anyone not driving an AFL equipped Vauxhall, you could always try the old-wives' method of seeing in the dark, and increase carrot consumption…

13/12/04

Vauxhall Rental Secures GM Vehicle Replacement Business

Vauxhall Rental has successfully renegotiated its position to provide General Motors with total rental management for all its customer care, aftersales, warranty and AA vehicle replacement business.

So if the unexpected happens and a GM car or van needs to be recovered under the AA roadside assistance programme, the nearest Vauxhall Rental retailer will be the first port of call to supply a replacement vehicle.

Vauxhall Rental has been established for 30 years, and has over 150 retailer-based offices throughout the UK, and with a fleet of more than 5,000 cars and vans.
It provides corporate customers with full access to real time rental management information reports, central reservations and billing and an online web-based booking facility. The services provided extend to P11d information, MID updates and comprehensive real time management information.

Vauxhall Rental will fully manage the GM support programme, which will be handled from its call centre in Luton.

The objective is to ensure GM customers, whether they drive a Vauxhall or a Saab, get the keys for GM products every time when their own vehicle is off the road.

13/12/04

Renrod Ltd Opens Meridian Project In Trowbridge

Renrod Ltd is proud to announce the opening on the 20th December of the "Meridian Project" - a state of the art motor park development on the gateway to Trowbridge. It will be home to Platinum Vauxhall and three other Platinum dealerships.

The new development represents a major investment and a quantum leap forward for the company and is the culmination of approximately 4 years work - from the original purchase of the land, through the various planning and designing processes and then to the construction of the buildings and facilities themselves.

The site incorporates the latest standards in automotive retailing and as such will provide customers with an aesthetically pleasing, comfortable and practical environment with which to select the vehicle or service of choice.

The company will be releasing further stories and images relating to the "Meridian Project" in the coming weeks - please return to our websites for the latest information.

We look forward to welcoming you to our new businesses.

13/12/04

Brawn Again - Vauxhall's Monaro VXR

- New 180mph super coupe set to smash Lotus Carlton's record
- Powered by latest Corvette's 6-litre V8
- On sale from March

Could this be the car to go where no Vauxhall has ever gone before? With 404PS of power supplied by the Corvette's 6.0-litre LS2 V8, the new Monaro VXR is set to be the first ever production Vauxhall to top 180mph, finally overtaking the Lotus Carlton to become the fastest ever Vauxhall.

The latest version of the company's performance flagship takes over from the original Monaro VXR, which sold out within three months of going on sale earlier this year. The new car takes the VXR brand to even further extremes, with more power and torque than any other production car to wear the Vauxhall badge.

Under the new ventilated bonnet sits the new high-output 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine, which recently made its debut in the Corvette C6. As you'd expect from a supercar engine, power figures are impressive, with 404PS (up from the last model's 388PS) and a massive 530Nm of torque (compared to 510Nm). Although performance figures have yet to be officially recorded, it's expected that the VXR will be able to comfortably surpass the 177mph record set by the Lotus Carton in 1990. A 0-60 time of around 5.0 seconds is also predicted.

But the new version of the Monaro VXR hasn't just been built for outright speed. Along with the new engine, virtually the entire drivetrain has been upgraded with revised suspension and bigger brakes to ensure that the latest version can keep the power tamed while still being thrilling to drive. With its classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, the Monaro has already gained a reputation for being an enthusiastic driver's favourite.

Since those enthusiasts also loved the way the last VXR looked, the styling changes have been kept to the bare minimum. To help the car breathe more efficiently and keep the engine cool, a pair of distinctive 'nostril' vents has been added to the bonnet, while the rear now gains quad exhaust tail pipes. New 10-spoke, 19-inch alloy wheels allow onlookers to see the new grooved discs and VXR-branded brake callipers.
Prices have yet to be confirmed, but it's expected that the new Monaro VXR will still cost half the price of other 180mph supercars at around £37,000. The first cars will reach customers in March.

07/12/04

VX Racing Tops A Great Year With Another Award For Thompson

VX Racing, the most successful team in the British Touring Car Championship, is celebrating again. VX Racing driver James Thompson was named National Racing Driver of the Year at the Autosport Awards, last night, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The award completes a triumphant year for Thompson, recently crowned as BTCC champion for the second time in his career.

Murray Walker presented the Paul Warwick Trophy to Thompson at the glittering ceremony hosted by Steve Rider and attended by drivers, movers and shakers and celebrities from the world of motor sport. Walker made special mention of the season-long rivalry between VX Racing drivers Thompson and Yvan Muller, who battled for the drivers' championship to the last of the 30 races.

On receiving the award, Thompson commented, "It's been a fantastic year. I've been involved in the British Touring Car Championship for 11 years now, and this was one of the best. The good thing about having that class of team-mate is that you feel like you've achieved something if you beat him."

Thompson triumphed over a formidable line-up of drivers, including Nelson Piquet Jr, Jamie Green, and his VX Racing team mate Muller, to win the most votes from the readers of Autosport magazine. Thompson's name is now added to the roll of honour for winners of the National Racing Driver of the Year Award and joins great drivers such as Martin Brundle, Johnny Herbert and David Coulthard.

The factory-supported VX Racing team won the BTCC team, manufacturers' and drivers' titles in 2004 for an unprecedented fourth successive year, VX Racing's James Thompson pipping team mate Yvan Muller to the driver's crown by a single championship point. Since its racing debut in 2001, the Vauxhall Astra Coupe has sped its way into the record books as the most successful car in the 47-year history of the British Touring Car Championship. VX Racing will return to defend its titles in the 2005 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park in April.

02/12/04

Monaro Muscles In To Scoop A TOP GEAR 'Jeremy'

- Clarkson "bowled over" by Vauxhall's fastest car
- Magazine names coupé "Best Muscle Car" in awards ceremony

Hollywood has its Oscars, but if you're a car maker it will always be a 'Jeremy' that you'll covet. The gold statuettes might look similar to the Motion Picture Academy's favourite awards, but closer inspection reveals that they actually resemble Britain's best-known motoring critic, Jeremy Clarkson, and they're handed out to Top Gear Magazine's favourite cars of the year.

And now one of the gold Clarkson effigies keeps watch over Vauxhall's Luton HQ reception area, after the man himself named the Monaro VXR "Best Muscle Car", and handed the award to Vauxhall chairman and managing director Kevin Wale.

Clarkson said he'd fallen in love with the car and had been "bowled over" by the big V8's character and 170mph, 382bhp performance. The January issue of the magazine goes on to say "full throttle brings movie-style noise, a kind of unreal 'braaap' that sounds like all the best cars from when you were seven. And it brings the kind of speed that most cars this size have oily dreams about."

Jeremy isn't the car's only fan though, and all of the 5.7-litre coupés sold out within just three months of going on sale earlier this year. But there's good news just around the corner. Those who are still keen to feel the Monaro's muscle will soon see that the big VXR has been sent to the automotive equivalent of a gym, and will shortly be 'brawn again' into a new, even more dynamic model. Watch this space, as full details will be announced within the next fortnight.

30/11/04

Tigra Gets Converted - To Diesel!

- New 1.3-litre CDTi turbodiesel brings 72mpg economy to coupe roadster
- Company car drivers to clean up with 124g/km CO2 emissions
- On sale from January

With spiralling fuel costs and punitive company car taxes, it's easy to think that stylish motoring is being pushed out of the reach of many buyers. But Vauxhall is coming to the rescue with a car which combines one of the world's most fuel-efficient engines with the head-turning ability of the dazzling drop-top Tigra.

Using the same 1.3-litre CDTi turbo diesel engine which has already been warmly received in the Corsa supermini, the stylish Tigra will instantly become the most economical roadster in Britain when it goes on sale in January. Returning an incredible 61.4mpg on the combined cycle and an amazing 72.4mpg in the official government extra-urban test, the average motorist covering 12,000 miles a year could save around £450 annually by choosing the Tigra CDTi rather than some of its petrol-engined rivals.

And the savings don't stop there for company car drivers. With CO2 emissions of just 124g/km, the Tigra CDTi falls into the lowest possible tax band for conventionally-engined vehicles, at just 15 per cent - even under the new stricter bandings being introduced for the 2005-2006 tax year.

The new engine won't dilute driving excitement either. With 70PS and 170Nm of torque, the Tigra CDTi has more than enough pulling power to make sure drivers don't feel they've sacrificed performance. And like the existing 1.4 and 1.8-litre petrol-engined models, the new oil-burner comes as standard with a sophisticated electro-hydraulic retractable steel roof and stylish lines which have made the Tigra a sell-out success.

Tigra Brand Manager, Sara Nicholson said: "Rising petrol prices, company car taxes and concerns about the environment mean that buyers are looking for the most fuel-efficient cars possible, but they don't want to give up style or performance.

"With a CDTi Tigra, Vauxhall has created a real head-turner which is actually one of the most economical cars in Britain. The average driver could save enough in fuel and tax costs every year to top up their tan on a holiday. That should make sure it isn't just the Tigra which turns heads! "

Prices have yet to be announced, but it is expected that the Tigra CDTi will cost around £14,500 when it goes on sale in January.

28/11/04

VX Racing Celebrates At The 2004 TOCA Awards Dinner

Reigning British touring car champion, VX Racing, celebrated its title-winning season in style by collecting four awards at the 2004 TOCA Awards dinner held at the Hilton Hotel, Coventry on Saturday.

Stuart Harris, VXR brand manager, received the winning manufacturer trophy at the ceremony hosted by Vicki Butler-Henderson and Ben Edwards and attended by BTCC teams and drivers. As he collected the award, Harris said, "The Vauxhall Astra Coupes have been very strong despite tough competition. We have finished the season on top and have beaten the leading rival manufacturers to claim the title for the fourth consecutive year. We are looking forward to another year of great competition and exciting racing in the BTCC in 2005. Well done to everyone that has been involved in this year's success."

VX Racing's Ian Harrison was presented with the award for the winning team. VX Racing clinched the team title for the fourth consecutive year in 2004, finishing 176 points ahead of its nearest rival SEAT Sport UK. Yvan Muller, the 2003 champion driver, took the award for finishing second in the drivers' championship after narrowly missing out on retaining the title for a second year.

To round off the evening and complete VX Racing's haul of trophies, James Thompson received the champion driver's trophy to rapturous applause. After ten years of competing in the BTCC, and beating his team mate, Muller, by just one point to clinch the drivers' title for the second time in three years, Thompson was delighted, "The car has been brilliant." he said. "It was the combination of a great car and a fantastic team - I couldn't have done it without them. It wasn't easy, but I really wanted to leave Vauxhall on a high and that's exactly what I've done. Thanks to the team, this trophy is for you as well."

VX Racing will return to defend its titles in the 2005 Green Flag MAS British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park in April.

27/11/04

Promotion to Frome's Platinum Vauxhall

Renrod Limited is delighted to announce the recent promotion of Alison Bull to the position of Branch Accountant at their Platinum Vauxhall dealership in Frome.

Miss Bull will be responsible for managing the accounts department for the dealership, which includes managing the accounts staff who look after the sales purchases and ledgers, ensuring that the department is run smoothly and that the management and year end accounts are produced accurately and on time.

In addition to managing the accounts and the staffing of the department at Frome's Platinum Vauxhall, she will collate the accounts information on a monthly basis, producing sets of monthly reports which will then be used by the management team. .

Miss Bull, who is age 35 and lives in Radstock, was appointed to her new role in June and is looking forward to taking up her position as Branch Accountant at Platinum Vauxhall in Frome in the New Year. In the meantime Miss Bull is combining her new role at Frome with her current one at Platinum Mitsubishi and Skoda in Bath, in order to train the new Trainee Branch Accountant - Theresa McDermott - who will take over the role.

Miss McDermott, who is aged 32 and comes from Wellow, joins Platinum Mitsubishi and Skoda from the Wellsway BMW and MINI dealership in Bath, where she was an Accounts Assistant.

Miss Bull's career with Renrod Ltd started at the group's Millmead Mitsubishi (since renamed as "Platinum") dealership in Bath during April 1999, when she was appointed as a Trainee Branch Accountant. Her new role involves a bigger franchise incorporating a bodyshop, with a larger turnover of vehicles and stock.

Miss Bull said, "It's a great step forward and hopefully from there who knows what might come in the future. I really enjoyed the challenge of doing something completely different when I started in accounts and my role with Renrod Ltd has grown from there."

Miss Bull added, "It is a great challenge to produce a set of yearly accounts, and with moving to Frome I will be working with a bigger dealership and different challenges. There is a bodyshop which will entail more diversity and different areas to look into. It is a bigger franchise so there is more involved with the role, although I have been working at a busy duel franchise at Platinum Mitsubishi and Skoda in Bath, and have very much enjoyed my time there."

Renrod Ltd continues to employ specialists at their Platinum dealerships in the fields of finance as well as sales, information technology, used car purchasing, human resources, aftersales and their bodyshops. This is combined with major investments in training, technologies and facilities - such as the new state of the art dealerships incorporated within the multi-million pound Meridian Project, as well as major refurbishments at their branches.

This ensures that Platinum is well placed to serve customers in an environment of continuous improvement in the future.

26/11/04

Precautionary Recall Of "Kiddy Topsafe" Child Seats

As a precautionary measure the child seat manufacturer Kiddy is recalling 1,650 units of its Kiddy TopSafe model (sold between March 2003 and November 2004), which is marketed by Sicartex via the dealer networks of Mercedes-Benz and Opel/Vauxhall/GME. The reason for the recall is a production deficiency in the ISO-Fix hook attachment system. Mercedes-Benz and Opel/Vauxhall/GME are also asking their customers to bring the TopSafe seats involved back to their dealers, since the hook attachment system does not comply with the safety specifications, as a result of which the child seat could become detached in an accident.

The respective Customer hotline for for Mercedes-Benz is 00800-1-777-7777
and for Vauxhall 0800 0264 970

19/11/04

Vauxhall Scoops Two Prestigious Awards

- Trixx concept car wins Autocar concept car award
- GM fuel cells take top prize for technology

Already highly acclaimed in the press for its ingenuity and stylish looks, Vauxhall's Trixx concept has taken top honours in the concept car category at the Autocar awards. With its inflatable rear seat and pantograph doors, Trixx wowed the judges from the prestigious weekly magazine who praised its clever packaging and originality, saying it was "bursting with innovation".

This innovation is evident in many more ways, including the incorporation of a foldaway front passenger's seat and a luggage rack at the rear that pulls out like a drawer to carry heavy items or sports clothing which is too dirty to travel inside.
And the good news doesn't stop there… Vauxhall took to the winners' podium for a second time during the evening to collect the technology award for the outstanding progress the company's made with fuel cells.

Larry Burns, GM Vice President for Research, Development and Planning, arrived from the States to collect the technology award saying: "It's fantastic to be able to help drive change in our industry, and GM is thrilled to receive this technology award from Autocar for our fuel cell developments!"

This year has seen GM making huge strides in fuel cell technology, illustrated by the immensely successful Fuel Cell Marathon, which saw the Zafira-based Hydrogen 3 driving across Europe from Nordcapp to Lisbon, covering 10,000km in just 38 days.

The company recently announced that it is to replace its ground-breaking Hy-Wire with an even more advanced and innovative concept in the new year.

Autocar editor, Rob Aherne, praised this progress with fuel cells commenting, "GM's alternative-fuels programme encompasses everything from Zafiras powered by a hydrogen fuel cell to mild hybrid trucks that are gradually weaning America off petrol engines. There's real commitment at every level."

With cutting edge technology in alternative fuels from LPG to hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells, Vauxhall is making sure its cars will continue being exciting to drive for the next century and beyond.

15/11/04

New Service Manager For Frome's Platinum Vauxhall

Renrod Limited are delighted to announce the appointment of Martin Treby to the position of Service Manager at Platinum Vauxhall in Frome, where he will manage the busy service and masterfit departments.

Mr Treby, who is 29 and lives in Trowbridge, will manage the overall activity of the service department by ensuring that customers vehicles are correctly diagnosed for repairs, that vehicles are off the road for a minimal amount of time thus reducing inconvenience, and that new and used cars are ready for delivery. He will also be involved with the health and safety aspects of the site.

Mr Treby's motor trade career started in 1990 when he worked as a technician for Millmead, a locally owned family business in Bath with a Mitsubishi franchise. When Renrod Ltd took over the dealership in 1998, Mr Treby continued to work at the dealership for another 2 years.

He then progressed on to Wellsway BMW & MINI - another of Renrod Ltd's dealerships also based in Bath where he continued to work as a technician - working on BMWs to provide a range of tasks from repairing engines and changing clutches to installing in-car entertainment systems.

Mr Treby was promoted to Service Advisor at Wellsway BMW & MINI in 2000/1 where he received further training on product knowledge and customer care skills. He then went on to be promoted to Service Manager at Platinum Vauxhall in Trowbridge 6 months ago, before being transferred to his new appointment at Frome's Platinum Vauxhall dealership.

Frome's previous Service Manager Mark Hicks remains with the group and will take on the service department responsibility at the new state-of-the-art Platinum Vauxhall site in Trowbridge - opening soon.

Mr Treby said, "I am pleased to be moving to a bigger site where I will gain further experience and learn even more about Vauxhall. The Frome dealership has some extra services such as the Master Fit which is fully operational and will teach me additional skills and expand my knowledge."

He added, "I have been with Renrod Ltd since 1998 and they have always been committed to my career progression and giving me opportunities. They have provided excellent training and then given me the opportunity to put this training into practice. At Frome there are areas that I can focus on, using my experience at Trowbridge to continue the efficient running and high levels customer service delivered by the dealership. I will be able to implement my training and experience gained with Renrod Ltd to build the business at Frome."

Mr Treby went on to say, "At Platinum Vauxhall, our job is to provide our customers with all the information they need to make a really well informed decision on all aspects of their vehicle - whether they are making a new car purchase, choosing a used car, arranging routine servicing or buying parts. We provide a range of services from breakdown, wheel balancing / alignment and MOT's to tyre fitting, used car sales and a valet service."

17/11/04

Max Accessory Treatment For New Astra Estate

Already acclaimed for its class leading stowage space and flexibility, the newly launched Vauxhall Astra Estate comes to market with a host of custom-made accessories to help owners match their daily needs with lifestyle aspirations.

All the accessories are designed to give owners more room for individuality while retaining the new model's inherent strengths of dynamic handling, strong performance, comfort, practicality and safety protection for family and pets.

High on the practical list for many buyers of the Astra Estate will be a FlexOrganiser system to help make maximum use of the model's generous luggage space.

There are also individual nets available to secure loose items to the front passenger seat, load compartment floor, side panels and back of the rear seats.

In the passenger compartment a special waste bag to keep the interior tidy can be fixed by Velcro to the rear of the front seats, as can a portable backpack. There is a glove compartment organiser, sun visor CD storage and a co-driver storage box for maps, newspapers or CD's.

A lightweight multifunction box to keep food and drinks cool or warm can be securely attached to the rear or front passenger seat using the standard three-point safety belt, or a portable cool bag can be plugged into the standard 12V auxiliary power socket. Prices of all these items range from £85 up to £123 for the multifunction box.

As well as roof-mounted base carriers to accommodate a wide variety of equipment such as bicycles, skis, surfboards and roof boxes, an interior cycle carrier is available to allow up to two cycles to be transported securely inside the Astra Estate's load compartment. This handy accessory is priced at £88.

For pet owners, there is a dog protection grid to separate the passenger and luggage compartments and a separator grid, which attaches to the dog grid, to divide the luggage compartment in two (£77). A safety net to span the space between the top of the rear seat and the roof lining can be fitted to protect passengers from loose objects in the rear.

Both hard or soft cargo liners tailored exactly to the internal dimensions of the luggage compartment can be fitted to protect against mud and wet walking boots, while a full width cover for the rear seat protects upholstery from animals and dirty objects.

Damage to the rear load sill can be prevented by fitting a transparent protective film, while a see-through rear window blind will help to alleviate heat build up inside the estate. A rain and wind deflector can be fitted to either front door. Further protective measures available include a choice of contoured carpet mats.

To complete the accessory line up, there will be an exterior styling pack plus alloy wheel options guaranteed to give the Estate even sleeker looks.

For full details, click on the Vauxhall accessories website at www.vauxhall.co.uk/accessories or call in at Platinum Vauxhall for a brochure.

01/11/04

New Roles Announced In Vauxhall Communications

Next year is set to be another busy and exciting year for Vauxhall Motors with the launch of the Astra 3-door, Astra VXR and the new Zafira.

In order to help provide a better service to the media, a number of changes to the product team have recently taken place.

Robin Bartlett, formerly chief press officer, becomes Events and Specialist Communications Manager with responsibility for product launch and event activity while retaining management of Motorsport communications.

Debbie Shields, Communications Assistant, will take on additional responsibilities including assisting Veronica Borrelli with press fleet, as well as supporting Robin in his new role. Debbie's direct line phone number is unchanged (01582 427888).

Both Robin and Debbie will continue to report to Andrew Cullis, Manager, Product Communications.

29/10/04

Vauxhall Monthly Digest October 2004

FULLY LOADED SIGNUM EXCLUSIV

Vauxhall's new Signum Exclusiv has the sort of standard features which would make any driver drool, including 18-inch alloy wheels and colour satellite navigation… yet prices start at just £17,995 - that's £650 less than the current entry-level Signum.

And Vauxhall hasn't scrimped in other areas either. In addition to the six airbags, innovative FlexSpace seating, cruise control and air-con which is standard equipment on all Signums, the Exclusiv also features front fog lights, silver roof rails and a unique interior trim.

Company car drivers will find that it's not just the Exclusiv's low list price which appeals. Engine options include the new highly acclaimed 1.9CDTi common rail turbo diesel engines which comply with EuroIV emission laws, so avoiding the three per cent Benefit-in-Kind tax penalty. This, combined with the engine's efficiency, means the Signum driver can save £747 a year compared to some competitors while returning up to 56.5mpg.

And you'll want to keep moving to enjoy the Exclusiv's standard sports suspension, which makes this special Signum as exciting to drive as it is to look at.

Signum Exclusiv OTR
1.8 16v £17,995.00
2.2 16v Direct £18,595.00
2.2 16v Direct Auto £19,895.00
1.9CDTi (120PS) £19,995.00
1.9CDTi (150PS) £20,495.00
1.9CDTi (150PS) Auto £21,795.00

NEW AFTERSALES INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN THE UK

Engines, injector pumps, transmissions and other components are now available to other industries through www.gmpowercomponents.com, providing access to GM- proven, reliable, hardwearing components.

This new initiative sees GM in the UK offering manufacturers in other UK industries access to GM's tried and tested engineering expertise which has gone into developing those components.

Potential customers can browse the website for what is on offer or, if they don't see exactly what they want, e-mail a request into GM. Subject to confirmation to ensure they are a genuine manufacturer, the order can be processed and sent out to the buyer.
For complete powertrain development engineering assurance, GM Power Components works in partnership with Millbrook, a wholly owned GM Company that operates independently, providing confidential engineering services to a worldwide client base. Millbrook - www.millbrook.co.uk - is a world leader in whole vehicle and component development, test, validation and homologation.

With a huge stock of products, GM Power Components can help manufacturers reduce potentially crippling R & D costs, and there is the additional benefit to the customer of the peace of mind of knowing they are dealing with the world's biggest automotive manufacturer and ordering the best grade of products available.

BT AWARDS LIGHT VAN SUPPLY CONTRACT TO VAUXHALL

Vauxhall has been awarded one of its largest light commercial vehicle orders ever with a contract to supply the BT light commercial fleet with around 16,000 vans over the next three years exclusively.

The company operates what is thought to be the largest independently owned fleet in the country through its subsidiary BT Fleet, with 45,000 vehicles including 13,000 light vans, 16,300 medium and heavy vans and 11,200 cars.

BT will be buying three models from Vauxhall - the 1.3CDTi Corsavan and Combo and the 1.9CDTi SWB standard roof Vivaro - to meet its operational requirements over the next three years.

BT will run the vehicles on operating cycles of between one and five years to ensure it optimises the residual value performance of the vans at the time of disposal.

All vans supplied will be fitted with racking and liveried in BT colours with the Corsavan and Combo being modified at the ports of entry and the Vivaro at the IBC Vehicles plant in Luton.

Vauxhall and Saab Fleet Sales Director Maurice Howkins said he was delighted to be awarded the contract to supply light commercial vehicles to BT Fleet, especially as Vauxhall also supplies a substantial number of vehicles to the BT car fleet.

"This highly significant contract for Vauxhall really shows what great teamwork can do. It is the result of an outstanding team effort including dedicated account management, an excellent demonstrator facility and three great products," he said.

DATING TIPS FROM NETWORK Q

New research reveals singles would be far more likely to find lasting love if they applied the same criteria in their hunt for a partner as they could a used car from Network Q.

Problems of increasingly high-maintenance, a less than honest record on previous partners and concealment of their true age have all been cited as problems by the UK's singles, separated and divorced population according to a survey commissioned by the UK's number one used-car dealer, Network Q.

According to Lifecoach and psychotherapist Christine Webber: "Choosing a partner clearly has similarities with choosing a used car. Unfortunately, when it comes to romance, there is no guarantee, no service history and no log-book to tell you exactly what you're getting!

"Nowadays, people have come to expect quality and security when they make big purchases, so they tend to expect the same things when they look for a mate. No wonder so many individuals feel that buying a car is much less fraught than finding Mr or Miss Right," she added.

Stuart Sims of Network Q added: "In our own way we work as a matchmaker, placing an emphasis on trust, quality and ensuring a customer gets a car that is right for them. That's why we always recommend you don't just follow your first impulse and instead make sure you know the full history before making a big commitment."

28/10/04

BT Awards Exclusive Light Van Supply Contract To Vauxhall

- Telecomms giant orders 16,000 vans
- Vauxhall wins contract against fierce competition

Vauxhall has been awarded one of its largest light commercial vehicle orders ever with a contract to exclusively supply the BT light commercial fleet with around 16,000 vans over the next three years.

Communications solutions provider BT awarded the three-year contract, with an option for a two-year extension, to Vauxhall following a competitive tender process that included most of the major commercial vehicle manufacturers in the UK.

The company operates what is thought to be the largest independently owned fleet in the country through its subsidiary BT Fleet, with 45,000 vehicles including 13,000 light vans, 16,300 medium and heavy vans and 11,200 cars.

BT will be buying three models from Vauxhall - the 1.3CDTi Corsavan and Combo and the 1.9CDTi SWB standard roof Vivaro - to meet its operational requirements over the next three years.

The vans will be driven by BT engineers in all the company's main lines of business.
A key factor in the decision to move away from BT's previous supplier was the whole life cost of the Vauxhall vans, said Head of Fleet Supply, Peter Howard.

"The principal reason for our decision to switch to Vauxhall was the fact that their vehicles offered the best whole life costs and will give us the best return over the contract period.

"They also met our technical and commercial requirements and Vauxhall is committed to excellent aftersales support and back-up to our internal network of workshops," he added.

BT will run the vehicles on operating cycles of between one and five years to ensure it optimises the residual value performance of the vans at the time of disposal.
During the competitive tender process, BT Fleet held product evaluation events where BT engineers and managers test drove vehicles from the shortlisted manufacturers. Feedback gained from the testing sessions was one of the inputs to the adjudication process.

There was a particularly high rating for the driving position and ergonomics of the Vivaro, and the specification and power trains in the Corsavan and Combo, which will both feature the highly-acclaimed new 72 PS 1.3 CDTi diesel engine.

All vans supplied will be fitted with racking and liveried in BT colours with the Corsavan and Combo being modified at the ports of entry and the Vivaro at the IBC Vehicles plant in Luton.

Vauxhall and Saab Fleet Sales Director Maurice Howkins said he was delighted to be awarded the contract to supply light commercial vehicles to BT Fleet, especially as Vauxhall also supplies a substantial number of vehicles to the BT car fleet.

"This highly significant contract for Vauxhall really shows what great teamwork can do. It is the result of an outstanding team effort including dedicated account management, an excellent demonstrator facility and three great products.

"We are especially pleased that BT drivers gave the Corsavan, Combo and Vivaro such glowing reports for their driving capabilities and the exciting new range of diesel engines in all three vehicles.

"And a key factor in our success was the acclaim of the BT engineers for the award-winning Vivaro which is assembled here at IBC," he said.

28/10/04

Vauxhall To Show Off Its Minibus Range At Community Transport Show

Vauxhall is to showcase its growing involvement in the community transport field with three models at the Community Transport exhibition in Manchester from 9-11 November.

While the company has for some years been successful in its provision of its Movano as a wheelchair accessible minibus as well as a 17-seater, the arrival of the revised Movano - sleeker styling, more comfort, different engines - has given the minibus a new impetus.

Based on the long wheelbase, high roof version, with either the 2.5 litre CDTi common rail diesel engine or the super powerful 3.0 litre version, the wheelchair accessible minibus carries 12 people, four wheelchairs, or a combination of the two with a purpose built wheelchair lift for rear-door access.

Vauxhall has just entered the nine-seater minibus market with its award-winning Vivaro.

The much-requested core conversion will be a strong challenger in the growing market for minibuses of this size, encouraged by the Vivaro's reputation as a great driver's vehicle.

Vauxhall has selected the energetic 1.9 CDTi common rail diesel engine in either 82PS or 100PS form for the minibus which is based on a short wheelbase 2900 panel van and converted by Advanced Vehicle Builders.

Currently the market is dominated by Ford, VW and Mercedes, but Vauxhall commercial vehicles brand manager Steve Bryant says: "We have shown the vehicle to a large number of potential customers and their reaction makes us confident that Vivaro Minibus will quickly make a name for itself in the marketplace."

The rear passenger seats are all to M1 type approval standards for seatbelt anchorages, with integral seat belts. The three seats in the back row are easily removable with quick release feet in aluminium rails.

Standard equipment includes ABS and driver's airbag, along with remote control central locking, and (on the 100PS version) electric windows and electric door mirrors. Options include front passenger twin airbags, front cabin air conditioning, front fog lamps and metallic paint.

Available to order now, the minibus on-the-road prices, including VAT, are £20,265 for the 82PS version and £21,265 for the 100PS model.

A third Vauxhall model, the Combo, is being shown in wheelchair accessible form to gauge interest in a smaller vehicle for this specialist market.

Combo, at 1801mm (73in) in height, offers easy potential for loading and unloading a wheelchair while at the same time the vehicle in its converted form offers excellent visibility thanks to the wide, deep windows.

It has a low loading height and coupled to the wide opening rear doors, as well as a side door entrance is seen as a potential addition to the range.

Vauxhall has had the Combo converted by a specialist company in Europe to indicate to exhibition visitors what can be done to turn a commercial vehicle into a transporter with every car-like comfort.

21/10/04

Extra! Extra! It's A Vauxhall Exclusiv!

- Stylish new Signum model for under £18,000
- Colour sat nav and 18-inch alloy wheels as standard

Executives might be top earners, but that doesn't mean they have money to burn. So why is it that some manufacturers cheekily ask £5,000 for extras such as satellite navigation and alloy wheels on their options list? For those who want to experience the joy of specs but don't like being taken for a ride, Vauxhall has the perfect answer - the Signum Exclusiv. This stylish new model has the sort of standard features which would make any driver drool, including 18-inch alloy wheels and colour satellite navigation and yet prices start at just £17,995 - that's £650 less than the current entry-level Signum.

Vauxhall hasn't scrimped in other areas either. In addition to the six airbags, innovative FlexSpace seating, cruise control and air-con