Thurlby 888 Astra
23 February 2006, 08:03 PM
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Thurlby 888 Astra
Hello,
Have lurked on here for ages but this is my first post.
Has anyone else seen this?
http://www.thurlbymotors.net/index.p...d=89&Itemid=99
Have never had a diesal but am very tempted by this, according to the article on autoexpress it'll do 0-60 in 6.5 and return 40 - 45 mpg!
Am seriously thinking of changing my MR2 for this, wondered what other people reckon to it?
Deacon
Have lurked on here for ages but this is my first post.
Has anyone else seen this?
http://www.thurlbymotors.net/index.p...d=89&Itemid=99
Have never had a diesal but am very tempted by this, according to the article on autoexpress it'll do 0-60 in 6.5 and return 40 - 45 mpg!
Am seriously thinking of changing my MR2 for this, wondered what other people reckon to it?
Deacon
23 February 2006, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Deacon
Hello,
Have lurked on here for ages but this is my first post.
Has anyone else seen this?
http://www.thurlbymotors.net/index.p...d=89&Itemid=99
Have never had a diesal but am very tempted by this, according to the article on autoexpress it'll do 0-60 in 6.5 and return 40 - 45 mpg!
Am seriously thinking of changing my MR2 for this, wondered what other people reckon to it?
Deacon
Have lurked on here for ages but this is my first post.
Has anyone else seen this?
http://www.thurlbymotors.net/index.p...d=89&Itemid=99
Have never had a diesal but am very tempted by this, according to the article on autoexpress it'll do 0-60 in 6.5 and return 40 - 45 mpg!
Am seriously thinking of changing my MR2 for this, wondered what other people reckon to it?
Deacon
http://astra-sri.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7527
http://[http://astra-sri.co.uk/forum...ead.php?t=7407
I think your better off buying a 6 month old Astra and adding a few mods. You can buy a VXR for less than this car.
Jonathan
23 February 2006, 08:22 PM
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That looks very interesting...
Wonder if the Vauxhall warranty stays intact and what residuals will be like..?
Circa £17.5k, that pitches right in with the rest of the hatches doesn't it? Do you have a link to the Autoexpress article..?
Have heard rumblings on this 888 Astra before, but could find nothing.
BTW - congrats on your first post.
Nige.
Wonder if the Vauxhall warranty stays intact and what residuals will be like..?
Circa £17.5k, that pitches right in with the rest of the hatches doesn't it? Do you have a link to the Autoexpress article..?
Have heard rumblings on this 888 Astra before, but could find nothing.
BTW - congrats on your first post.
Nige.
23 February 2006, 08:26 PM
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v8voodoo, from a post on the Civic type-r owners site:-
Vauxhall Astra Triple Eight
It's the diesel VXR! With a 200bhp turbocharged CDTI engine, sports suspension and uprated racing brakes, this hot Vauxhall Astra can run rings around more expensive petrol performance cars - and still achieve fuel returns of over 40mpg.
But don't go phoning Vauxhall to book a test drive just yet. The model you see here has been developed by Triple Eight racing - the same people who run Vauxhall's British Touring Car Championship team. And only 100 will be available, through specialist Vaux-hall dealer Thurlby Motors.
However, owners of regular diesels will be able to retro-fit virtually all the modified parts added to the 888 CDTI through the Luton firm's forthcoming VXR Performance Centre, run in association with Triple Eight.
To see what they can expect, Auto Express went for an exclusive drive in the hottest diesel Astra ever. Starting with a 150bhp 1.9-litre TD three-door Sport Hatch, Triple Eight remapped the engine management, so that power rises to 200bhp and torque exceeds 400Nm. The suspension is lowered and stiffened, while massive 335mm front disc brakes are fitted, along with powerful four-piston calipers. Combined with the 18-inch black alloys, high-performance tyres and white VXR bodykit, this 888 CDTI looks every inch the roadgoing BTCC racer. Shame about the rather tacky 888 stickers, though.
All of these modifications bring the price of the car to £17,995. That's only £120 more than a 150bhp SRi diesel version, for a machine which is considerably faster. Although no official performance figures have been released, 0-60mph is estimated at 6.5 seconds and top speed at more than 140mph, making this model nearly as rapid as the £18,995 240bhp 2.0 petrol VXR.
On the move, though, we'd say the 888 CDTI is even quicker. With so much torque available, acceleration is very strong and easy to exploit, making overtaking simply a matter of putting your foot down.
You have to be careful with the throttle in the lower gears, though. Just like the petrol VXR, there's lots of torque steer at low speed. But despite the extensive engine remapping, the unit is very flexible with little turbo lag. From 1,500rpm, there's lots of useful thrust all the way up to the 4,000rpm red line. But unlike the petrol hot hatch, this isn't a high-revving screamer and, thanks to a precise six-speed gearbox, it's easy to keep the engine on the boil.
Apart from a bit more turbo whistle, the motor doesn't sound any less refined than its petrol counterpart, either, but the best news is that the fuel economy is virtually as good as the standard car's. We achieved nearly 40mpg - closer to 50mpg would be likely on a motorway run. Drive on a bumpy country road at speed, though, and you'll quickly realise the suspension is too stiff. It's unforgiving over ruts and gives an uncomfortable ride on anything but a smooth surface.
The pay-off is fantastic agility, good grip (if you're sensible with the throttle) and meaty steering that's full of feedback, plus truly excellent brakes. They initially feel sharp, yet you soon become adept at harnessing their instant, massive stopping power.
Triple Eight's aim was to produce a hatchback offering the performance and handling of a turbo petrol car with all the economy benefits of a diesel. On the evidence of the Astra 888 CDTI, it's more than succeeded.
Deacon
Oh, and I spoke to Thurlby about it and they said it does retain the standard warrenty and can be serviced at any dealership.
Vauxhall Astra Triple Eight
It's the diesel VXR! With a 200bhp turbocharged CDTI engine, sports suspension and uprated racing brakes, this hot Vauxhall Astra can run rings around more expensive petrol performance cars - and still achieve fuel returns of over 40mpg.
But don't go phoning Vauxhall to book a test drive just yet. The model you see here has been developed by Triple Eight racing - the same people who run Vauxhall's British Touring Car Championship team. And only 100 will be available, through specialist Vaux-hall dealer Thurlby Motors.
However, owners of regular diesels will be able to retro-fit virtually all the modified parts added to the 888 CDTI through the Luton firm's forthcoming VXR Performance Centre, run in association with Triple Eight.
To see what they can expect, Auto Express went for an exclusive drive in the hottest diesel Astra ever. Starting with a 150bhp 1.9-litre TD three-door Sport Hatch, Triple Eight remapped the engine management, so that power rises to 200bhp and torque exceeds 400Nm. The suspension is lowered and stiffened, while massive 335mm front disc brakes are fitted, along with powerful four-piston calipers. Combined with the 18-inch black alloys, high-performance tyres and white VXR bodykit, this 888 CDTI looks every inch the roadgoing BTCC racer. Shame about the rather tacky 888 stickers, though.
All of these modifications bring the price of the car to £17,995. That's only £120 more than a 150bhp SRi diesel version, for a machine which is considerably faster. Although no official performance figures have been released, 0-60mph is estimated at 6.5 seconds and top speed at more than 140mph, making this model nearly as rapid as the £18,995 240bhp 2.0 petrol VXR.
On the move, though, we'd say the 888 CDTI is even quicker. With so much torque available, acceleration is very strong and easy to exploit, making overtaking simply a matter of putting your foot down.
You have to be careful with the throttle in the lower gears, though. Just like the petrol VXR, there's lots of torque steer at low speed. But despite the extensive engine remapping, the unit is very flexible with little turbo lag. From 1,500rpm, there's lots of useful thrust all the way up to the 4,000rpm red line. But unlike the petrol hot hatch, this isn't a high-revving screamer and, thanks to a precise six-speed gearbox, it's easy to keep the engine on the boil.
Apart from a bit more turbo whistle, the motor doesn't sound any less refined than its petrol counterpart, either, but the best news is that the fuel economy is virtually as good as the standard car's. We achieved nearly 40mpg - closer to 50mpg would be likely on a motorway run. Drive on a bumpy country road at speed, though, and you'll quickly realise the suspension is too stiff. It's unforgiving over ruts and gives an uncomfortable ride on anything but a smooth surface.
The pay-off is fantastic agility, good grip (if you're sensible with the throttle) and meaty steering that's full of feedback, plus truly excellent brakes. They initially feel sharp, yet you soon become adept at harnessing their instant, massive stopping power.
Triple Eight's aim was to produce a hatchback offering the performance and handling of a turbo petrol car with all the economy benefits of a diesel. On the evidence of the Astra 888 CDTI, it's more than succeeded.
Deacon
Oh, and I spoke to Thurlby about it and they said it does retain the standard warrenty and can be serviced at any dealership.
23 February 2006, 08:37 PM
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Hmm.. interesting.
I think if I had £17-18k to spend on a new car though I doubt I'd consider one.
There's just sooo much out there at that price it's unreal..!
I think if I had £17-18k to spend on a new car though I doubt I'd consider one.
There's just sooo much out there at that price it's unreal..!
23 February 2006, 10:18 PM
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The price is 17995, it comes with a full recaro interior, anthracite 18 inch alloys, 2 door coupe only and if you went to the autosport international show last month you would have seen one in the flesh like I did and posted on here about it 
March release i believe.
Tony
March release i believe.
Tony
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23 February 2006, 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by TonyBurns
The price is 17995, it comes with a full recaro interior, anthracite 18 inch alloys, 2 door coupe only and if you went to the autosport international show last month you would have seen one in the flesh like I did and posted on here about it
March release i believe.
Tony
March release i believe.
Tony
23 February 2006, 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Chins
Not sure it does have Recaros anymore at that price. Certainly not in some of the photos and not mentioned in the sales blurb
I know cos i looked though the window
Tony
24 February 2006, 07:59 AM
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The one on the 888 site has the Recaro interior but I believe they are optional on the 'standard' £17995 car and involve giving up the leather and heated seats but for far better cornering support.
Deacon
Deacon
02 April 2006, 11:57 AM
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i drove one of these yesterday while at 888 down suicide alley in Banbury
very nice car, handles very well and with the sports mode engaged (approx 200bhp) does not feel like an oil burner, would be a great second car to my remapped VXR, wife is very keen for her work car, nice economy, looks really good in white (my opinion) with anthrocite wheels, one thing is does have over my VXR is the nice 4 pot AP brakes up front, my brakes on the VXR are shocking when giving the just shy of 300bhp some stick, thats just about to be sorted with a similair AP upgrade just about to be released.
Is a really nice car, would much prefer my VXR but for the wife as her work car can look at getting the astra SRi sports hatch 150cdti (17% discount)and adding the extras for a slightly cheaper price, worth a test drive, many will be suprised and looks the biz.
very nice car, handles very well and with the sports mode engaged (approx 200bhp) does not feel like an oil burner, would be a great second car to my remapped VXR, wife is very keen for her work car, nice economy, looks really good in white (my opinion) with anthrocite wheels, one thing is does have over my VXR is the nice 4 pot AP brakes up front, my brakes on the VXR are shocking when giving the just shy of 300bhp some stick, thats just about to be sorted with a similair AP upgrade just about to be released.
Is a really nice car, would much prefer my VXR but for the wife as her work car can look at getting the astra SRi sports hatch 150cdti (17% discount)and adding the extras for a slightly cheaper price, worth a test drive, many will be suprised and looks the biz.
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