| Just the other day I was peacefully carving up | | | | something stupid like a new model. This then |
| the tarmac on the motorway, when I saw a | | | | leaves us with the two great rivals, the Oasis and |
| couple of nuances that I'd never noticed before. | | | | Blur of the motoring world: Vauxhall and Ford. |
| BMW drivers never indicate and Volkswagen Golf | | | | Where Vauxhall have the Corsa VXR, Ford have |
| GTi 'drivers' are more of a danger to the planet | | | | the Fiesta ST. Ford Focus ST? How about the |
| than global warming. And so it was left to a | | | | Vauxhall Astra VXR? Tit for tat these motoring |
| Vauxhall driver at a set of traffic lights to | | | | giants slog it out with cars similarly specified and |
| re-instate my faith in owning a practical car, that | | | | priced and with spot-the-difference performance |
| looks good, goes like the clappers and doesn't | | | | figures. Personally I'm a VXR man, but sales |
| stereotype me into being hated. What I witnessed | | | | figures show that both companies have fans of |
| at first had me checking I'd taken my medication. | | | | equal measure. Until we reach the completely |
| Mr Vauxhall driver had a pretty wife in the front, | | | | unique Vauxhall Zafira VXR... The fact this article is |
| five screaming kids in the back and more luggage | | | | dedicated to a people carrier is surely testament |
| than any carousel at Heathrow in the boot. In a | | | | enough to it's prowess, but as a further |
| scene not too dissimilar to that bit in Star Trek | | | | endorsement, this article is about "the fastest |
| when they say 'warp speed' and your television | | | | production MPV ever made" - impressive. |
| goes all funny and blurry, the lights went green | | | | Remember how the extra two seats in an MPV |
| and the Zafira - yes Z-A-F-I-R-A - a people | | | | had to be left on the driveway when you wanted |
| carrier, was gone. Was the wife actually Spock? | | | | more boot space? The Zafira solved that by |
| Was William Shatner back from his legal stuff in | | | | ingeniously having them fold into the floor of the |
| Boston? No. Before the Zafira disappeared I | | | | car. It's also claimed the maximum five star NCAP |
| caught sight of the badge on it's rear 'Vauxhall | | | | safety rating for an MPV. The VXR version has all |
| VXR'. Now I'd agree that you have every right to | | | | this to it's name and 237bhp which helps achieve a |
| be sceptical that the Vauxhall VXR range which | | | | top speed of 144mph and a 0-60 time of 7.2 |
| encompasses the (deep breath): Corsa, Astra, | | | | seconds. It comes equipped with Recaro racing |
| Vectra, Monaro, Meriva and Zafira, is no bigger or | | | | seats, VXR styling cues from Vauxhall's British |
| better than the deluge of other performance cars | | | | Touring Car programme and a 'sport' button |
| other manufacturers currently produce. They all | | | | which increases steering and throttle response |
| promise that heady mix of the practicality and | | | | when pressed - all whilst piloting six others and |
| safety you get with the base model topped off | | | | your luggage! You may expect the car to roll |
| with a sadistic, whiplash inducing engine for your | | | | over like the lovable family dog, but even the |
| extra cash. Personally I'm at the stage in my life | | | | cornering is poised. I'd be a liar if I said it didn't roll |
| (well I'm 24 but I like to think I'm no longer a boy | | | | more than the Corsa derivative for example, but |
| racer) where I want the speed but also a bit of | | | | compared to any other people carrier it's simply |
| sophistication. Gone are the days of strapping an | | | | breathtaking. From a buyer's perspective expect |
| exhaust the size of a small village to my shed and | | | | decent residuals as the depreciation on the old, |
| screaming "look at me" to the passing kebab | | | | less powerful GSi version strongly suggests I'm |
| houses. The fact there is so much performance | | | | not alone in my admiration of the ultra-fast |
| metal to chose from means that prices are | | | | people-carrier combination. Granny in the back |
| competitive and the standard is high. So what are | | | | may not appreciate the performance, but to your |
| the options? Well we can exclude the Golf GTi | | | | kids you'll be daddy cool. The insult of having to |
| because I can drive, the Renault Clio F1 197 has | | | | own a fun-less people carrier has never fallen so |
| an "F1 inspired rear diffuser" that shows as clear a | | | | flat on it's face. |
| link to their F1 car as the Arctic Monkeys are | | | | Tom London is an automotive journalist Who has |
| inspired by Cliff Richard. The Seat Leon Sport is | | | | worked in various car dealerships over the last |
| brutish, the Mini Cooper 'S' is titchy and for | | | | fifteen years. He is now working to promote and |
| hairdressers and the Honda Civic Type R is | | | | the new Vauxhall VXR range. |
| flawless...until they went and spoiled it all by doing | | | | |