Vauxhall Astra VXR Arctic Editions available from today

British Summertime may have begun, but Vauxhall’s latest addition to the VXR range still looks cooler than last week’s snowstorms, yet its performance is as hot as ever.

Priced at £23, 595 on the road – just £720 more than the standard Astra VXR – each of the 500 Arctic Editions are painted in Olympic White with a contrasting black painted roof, mirror covers, front V-grille and tailgate trim, ensuring that this version of the Astra VXR looks like no other.

Each Arctic Edition also gets a generous £1965 worth of options included in its price. Heated leather Recaro front seats, tinted glass and Black 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels all now form part of the Astra VXR Arctic Edition’s armoury.

And for the first time on a VXR product, customers can also specify their Arctic Edition with the Panoramic Windscreen, a £920 option that offers a window on the world that extends back over the front seats with heat-absorbing glass. And if the skies are grim, a full-length shading system with pull-out sunblinds is also included.

Of course, none of this diminishes the Astra VXR Arctic Edition’s exceptional performance. With 240PS of power and 320Nm of torque between 2400 and 5000rpm, it’ll hit a top speed of 152mph, with 60mph arriving from standstill in just 6.2 seconds. Lowered and uprated VXR sports suspension, ultra-low profile 235/35 x 19 tyres and 321mm front ventilated brakes discs complete the Arctic Edition’s dynamic package.

And what better way to test a new Astra VXR Arctic Edition than at Vauxhall’s VXR Power Events. Starting this month and culminating in the VXR Power Festival at Silverstone in August, Power Events gives VXR drivers and enthusiasts the chance to test their mettle (and their metal) in a series of driving challenges. For full details, visit vxrpowerevents.co.uk.