New Ben Greig Used Cars Website
11 January, 2010

Happy New Year to you all!

To celebrate the start of 2010 we are pleased to announce that you will now be able to find our stock of quality used Vauxhall cars at our new website www.kent-and-sussex-vauxhall.co.uk

Here you will even more details about our cars such as CO₂, MPG, dimensions and plenty of photos as well the option to request a test drive.

Winter Customer Offers from Vauxhall
3 December, 2009

Consumers seem to be in a no-win situation in today’s chaotic economy: if we borrow money, interest is punitive, yet if we have cash to invest the rates we’re sold are derisory.

Offers include Free Insurance 19+, 0% APR typical for 2 years on selected cars.

On top of these offers Vauxhall can save you money on a new car with the Government Scrappage Programme where you can save £2000 on he cost of a new car when you trade in your car that is over 10 years old - terms and conditions apply.

For full details check out the latest finance offers from Vauxhall by clicking here to go to our Special Offers page. They are available until 31 March 2010.

New Astra Achieves 5-Stars in Euro NCAP Safety Test
26 November, 2009

Europe’s leading safety assessment body, Euro NCAP, has awarded Vauxhall’s new British-built Astra five stars for safety – the top rating available in tough new regulations rolled out this year.

Outstanding crash performance due to super-rigid cabin
Active head restraints give industry-best protection against whiplash
Maximum points received as part of new 2009 regulations

Euro NCAP gave its highest points ever for the Astra’s active head restraints, which protect against whiplash - the most common occupant injury suffered when a car is struck from behind. Vauxhall’s active head restraint system is also completely reversible, requiring no dealer reset after a rear-end collision.

The new regulation issued by Euro NCAP mean that vehicles now have one overall star rating with a maximum five stars. The number of stars reflects the car’s performance in four key areas: adult protection, child safety, pedestrian protection and safety assist. The score is calculated by weighing points in these four areas, while ensuring that no one section is neglected.

Passenger occupant protection in a frontal impact attracted a very high score for the Astra, but points were also added for its advanced Electronic Stability Control+ system, which improves vehicle stability by detecting and minimising skids.

The Astra’s rigid passenger compartment contributed to the exceptional rating, too. The structure is made from high-strength steel that Vauxhall’s engineers designed for the least deformation and highest survival space in case of a crash. The front and rear of the cabin are also surrounded by crumple zones that deform and protect in a safe, controlled manner.

Among the many safety features in the Astra are new, advanced dual seat belt pre-tensioners which help prevent injury by keeping occupants’ hips in place during a crash, eliminating the need for expensive, heavy knee airbags and liberating more occupant storage space.

Bangers 4 Ben
26 October, 2009

Ben Greig Vauxhall is taking part in the forthcoming BANGERS4BEN event to raise much needed funds for the motor industry charity BEN.

26 teams of two will be driving up and down the country on November 9-11 in cars they bought for no more than £250. Participants include main dealers from across the UK, independent dealers, car manufacturers including Hyundai, Honda and Toyota as well as many suppliers to the motor trade.

Starting at BEN’s Ascot headquarters on Monday November 9 the team head to Inverness. On Day two its up to John O’Groats and then back down to Berwick-upon-Tweed for the second overnight break. The last day will see the teams south for Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands for a few laps of the track and the finish line.

On completion of the rally, all the cars are entered into a special auction at British Car Auction’s Blackbushe site on Wednesday, November 18.

All the money raised will be handed over to BEN after the auction. BEN is the automotive industry charity - they provide care and support to employees and their dependants in times of need and currently support more than 15,000 people for a wide range of issues.’ The charity is a hugely worthwhile cause and the 26 cars driving up and down the country are all raising money for the cause. If you want to leave us – or any of the teams – a message of support you can do so on any of the posts on this website.

Driving a Vauxhall Omega in Team Green Machine representing Ben Greig Vauxhall will be Managing Director and grandson of the founder, Malcolm Greig and Aftersales Director Garry Vaughan.

For more details go the Bangers4Ben website by clicking here.

New Astra Prices Announced
23 September, 2009

The new Vauxhall Astra received its global debut today at the Frankfurt Motor Show with the promise of aggressive pricing, exceptional quality, and levels of equipment and technology seldom seen in the compact class.

Prices for the entry level Exclusiv 1.4i (87PS) enters the market at £15,675, just £270 more than the outgoing equivalent model, despite having a better standard equipment list which includes standard air conditioning and an MP3-format radio/CD player with aux-in.

For more details talk to Malcolm Greig or click here for the New Astra website.

Touring Cars - VX Racing set for Snetterton
28 July, 2009

The HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship makes a welcome return to the track this weekend after its seven week summer break. The series arrives at the Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk for the sixth race weekend of the season, kicking off the second half of the 2009 calendar. Reigning Champions VX Racing will be back on track and gunning for victory with Matt Neal and Fabrizio Giovanardi still firmly in the hunt for the driver’s title. Young gun Andrew Jordan will also be pushing for points and victories in a bid to maintain VX Racing's hold on the Teams’ and the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ championships.

With VX Racing keen to maintain momentum into the second half of the year, the team took part in two official series tests at Snetterton and Rockingham with Giovanardi topping the timesheets on both days.

The Snetterton round of the BTCC takes place on the 1st/2nd August with practice and qualifying on Saturday, before the first of three races start at midday on Sunday. If you can't see the racing live then follow it on ITV4 on Sunday starting at 11am.

Find more about the VX Racing team by clicking here and learn more about the BTCC by visiting the official website at www.btcc.net.

Driver Appeal and Comfort will be Hallmarks of New Astra's Chassis
13 July, 2009

New chassis with longer wheelbase and wider tracks
Watts link rear suspension combines superb handling with clever packaging
FlexRide adaptive suspension offers drivers choice of dynamic settings

The upcoming Vauxhall Astra will not only feature a longer wheelbase and wider tracks for improved stability and ride comfort, but also a cleverly positioned Watts link rear suspension system that is set to offer drivers class-leading handling and ride comfort.

Vauxhall’s much-praised FlexRide adaptive damping system will also be available on most Astra models – a feature rarely found in compact class cars. The new Astra’s front and rear tracks have been increased by 56mm and 70mm respectively, while its wheelbase has been increased by 71mm, the cumulative effect being improved handling and ride quality, as well as more space and comfort for occupants.

Continuing Vauxhall’s trend for innovation, its engineers have combined the size, weight and efficiency of a compound crank rear axle layout with a cleverly positioned Watts link, which supports lateral forces during cornering. The FlexRide adaptive damping system, first seen in the European Car of the Year-winning Insignia – adjusts the suspension character automatically depending on drivers’ needs, while also offering three programmable damper settings. Finally, a core body structure, stiffer than that of the outgoing car, enhances the new Astra’s ride and handling still further, while also reducing noise and vibration inside the cabin.

Yet more information as we have it over the next few months but if you want to see more now click here for the New Astra website.

Had An Accident? - Do You Know What Your Repair Options Are?
14 July, 2009

In a survey of 1000 people undertaken on behalf of Vauxhall, only 47 per cent of 18-24 year-olds, and worse still, 39 per cent of 25 to 34 year-olds were aware that it isn’t just a case of following your vehicle to where the insurance company wishes to take it. Instead you can choose a local garage or manufacturers’ site without invalidating your insurance policy, unless the policy holder has signed away their rights within the small print of their policy documentation.

Fortunately for most drivers, the biggest headache facing them after a road accident is not a trip to the local A&E but the issue of getting their vehicle returned to its pre-accident condition and back on the road. It was only older and more experienced motorists aged 55+ who seemed to have read the small print of their insurance policies with the majority, 65 percent, saying they knew they had a choice when making a claim.

Interestingly, when asked where they would ideally like to take their vehicle to get repaired, far more people said they would rather go to the original manufacturer than go with their insurers’ choice of repairer. In fact, only 21 per cent of people asked said they would choose to go where the insurance company sent them, saying that specialist knowledge of their vehicle brand and the ability to source and fit original parts were the main reasons why they would rather use an original manufacturer. However it remains a concern for many of the motorists surveyed that failure to use the insurance companies approved repairer may in some way delay their claim or incur further costs for which they could be liable.

If you need advice on body repairs do not hesitate to talk the Ben Greig service department as we can arrange for repairs locally.

Vauxhall Offers Superb Extended Warranty Across Entire Model Range
10 July, 2009

Significant savings available
Longer warranty options available than ever before

It’s more important than ever to safeguard your finances, so with that in mind Vauxhall has introduced new extended warranty packages, which have been completely redesigned not only to simplify the process but also to allow for significant savings.

Previously customers were offered the choice of up to 10 warranty products but this process has been thoroughly reviewed and now relies on only a handful of criteria. The two levels of cover for new and used cars are now banded by engine size and cover vehicles up to 10 years / 100,000 miles.

The benefits to customers of the new extended warranty are many. As well as saving money, customers can also be confident that they have been protected from unexpected repair bills and that only manufacturer approved parts will be fitted to their vehicle. Finally should the vehicle be sold, they can rest assured that they’ve added to the resale value of their vehicle by providing a transferable warranty if they sell their car privately.

More details available from the Vauxhall Website.

New Vauxhall Astra: The Inside Story
23 June, 2009

Clever packaging means more occupant comfort and space
Distinctive exterior design cues echoed in cabin
Quality feel throughout cabin enhanced by extensive use of premium materials

The all-new Vauxhall Astra, debuts at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show and will reach UK dealers by late this year.

Echoing the flowing forms of its bodywork, the new Astra’s interior marks a major shift towards premium design and quality in the UK’s compact sector, and continues Vauxhall’s design evolution which started five years ago with the current Astra, followed by a further step-change last year with the launch of the Insignia.

The Astra’s interior employs the recurring wing and blade motifs that were first introduced in the Insignia and are now used in a fresh and innovative way. The blade theme is expressed in details like the gooseneck shape of the door grab handles and the trim for the gearshift moulding and steering wheel.

‘So do people actually put gloves in their gloveboxes?’ This was one of the many questions put to potential customers by Vauxhall’s designers as they researched what people stored in their cars, and where they put various items in their cabins. As a result, the new generation Astra has a raft of clever storage solutions unparalleled in the compact sector, some of which have even been patented.

Using feedback from the survey, the interior team first compiled a list of the 20 most common items customers stored in the cars: pens, coins, a flashlight, a road atlas, a parking disc, sunglasses, a wallet, paper tissues, a mobile phone, CDs, MP3 players, cups, magazines, newspapers, fruit, a first aid kit, a jacket, a 1.5/1.0/0.5-litre drinks bottle. And, of course, gloves.

A hard-shelled sunglasses case has been inserted above the door opening on the driver’s side; coin slots and pen holders are moulded into the inside edge of the glove box lid; and the glove box itself has two removable compartments, while a second mini-glove box has been added just below the light switch. Further storage innovation is illustrated by the centre console, which can accommodate nine CD cases, as well as having a small storage area and an insert for two cup holders. There’s also the option of an under-seat drawer beneath the passenger seat which is big enough to hold a pair of shoes. Rear passengers also benefit, with a 12-volt connection available for MP3 players, in addition to space for drinks bottles. The new Astra’s boot also came under close scrutiny. A recess was created in the side of the boot to accept either a first aid kit or warning triangle, while a patented Flex-Floor was devised to offer further under-floor storage, while the floor itself can be fixed at different heights.

The launch is now not far away and the re will be more information as we have it over the next few months but if you want to see more now click here for the New Astra website or click here for more details from the Vauxhall website.

New Generation Astra Design Provides Dynamic Styling to Compact Class
19 June, 2009

Vauxhall's dynamic design language newly interpreted for the compact class car
Driver-focused interior combines drama and warmth
High quality components and materials match exceptional execution

The next generation Vauxhall Astra brings new features and handsome looks to the compact class with strong sporty lines, elegant details and its own interpretation of the brand's award-winning design language of combining sculptural artistry with engineering precision first seen in the Insignia.

The exterior of the new generation Astra, which debuts in September at the Frankfurt Motorshow, boasts a strong cab-forward, fluid silhouette. Inside, high quality materials and a total re-think of the design add to the excitement of driving a compact car. Moreover, Vauxhall has added innovative extras - higher quality materials, more storage, improved seats and safer bumpers - to give the Astra comfort, health and safety features not usually seen in the compact class.

More information as we have it over the next few months but if you want to see more now click here for the New Astra website or click here for more details from the Vauxhall website.

BTCC Update
15 June, 2009

VX Racing took victory in the final race of today’s HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship round at Croft Circuit, with Fabrizio Giovanardi taking his second win of the season. The British weather played a major part in the fortunes of the VX Racing team, with dry and hot conditions for the first two races not favouring the Vauxhalls, but late afternoon rain giving the drivers the grip levels they needed to run up front. Reigning champion, Giovanardi finished fifth in both of the earlier races, while Matt Neal had two sixth places and an eighth, and 20-year-old driver, Andrew Jordan finished with three points-scoring results - fourth, seventh and eighth places.

Giovanardi was delighted with his victory saying, “I have had to wait a while to win again, but my car was very quick in this race. We had a dry set up, but once I knew I had grip I knew the car would be okay and I could push hard. I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t get back ahead of James (Thompson) with the second safety car and knew I only needed one lap to do it, so I was relieved when we started racing again”.

Neal reflected on his weekend, “I guess you have to have bad ones to appreciate the good ones. My car felt better and better as the weekend went on, but it wasn’t the track for us. I don’t think losing the championship lead is a concern as we still have plenty of races to come and circuits which are more suited to our car. I wasn’t happy to be punted off by Jason (Plato) and it’s not the first time as it happened at Donington; it’s just disappointing for the boys who work so hard when we don’t get the results we deserve.”

Jordan commented of his fortunes, “It’s been tough here today. In the first race we had a really bad handling car in the heat and struggled with understeer. For the second race we made some changes and ran in convoy with the other two at their pace which was pleasing. In the final race, I was worried about aquaplaning off, so I didn’t push hard enough early on. Then on the last lap of the race I got the fastest lap. The car felt good but I suppose knowing when to push the car is all part of the learning process.”

After this weekend VX Racing leads the teams' championships and Matt and Fabrizio lie second and third respectively in the drivers' fight.

The HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship now takes a summer break, with competition resuming in seven week’s time, with the sixth round of the series taking place at Snetterton race circuit, Norfolk on 1-2 August. The VX Racing team will be out on track in July, testing at the Snetterton and Rockingham circuits, two of the BTCC tracks to be raced in the second half of the season.

Find more about the VX Racing team by clicking here and learn more about the BTCC by visiting the official website at www.btcc.net.

Vauxhall Ecoflex Range Scoops Environmental Award
28 May, 2009

Fleet World Environmental Award praises Vauxhall ecoFLEX range
Insignia, European Car of the Year 2009, part of the winning line-up for Vauxhall’s fuel-efficient ecoFLEX range

Vauxhall’s advanced range of green technology engines has picked up a coveted award from leading fleet title Fleet World.

The accolade was granted to Vauxhall for its commitment in providing fleets with the choice of a range of environmentally friendly options – the ecoFLEX vehicles, which include the Vauxhall Insignia - 2009 European Car of the Year.

‘ecoFLEX models’ can now be found in Agila, Corsa, Astra and Zafira ranges, with the Insignia being the latest to join the line-up. Their combined CO2 emissions range from 105g/km to 137g/km and mean that Vauxhall now boasts a total of 366 model variants with less CO2 emissions than 160g/km.

Click here for more details about ecoFLEX models on the Vauxhall website.

The Most Economical Vauxhall Model Ever!
19 May, 2009

Taller gearing generates lower engine revs and improved economy
Highly competitive BIK and VED thanks to low emissions
Tyre and wheel changes help improve aero and save weight

Now officially Vauxhall’s most economical production vehicle in its 106-year history, the 3-door only Corsa ecoFLEX has a combined C02 rating of just 105g/km,shaving a remarkable 14g/km off the outgoing model’s emissions figure, and now achieves an astonishing 85.6mpg on the Government’s extra urban fuel cycle – an improvement of over 13 per cent.

Enhanced aerodynamics, narrower (175/70 instead of 185/70) low-rolling resistance tyres and a revised gearbox all help to improve the performance.

Available in Life and Club trims, the Corsa ecoFLEX in on sale now with a starting price of just £11,295; however, buyers with qualifying vehicles can use the joint Vauxhall/Government ‘scrappage’ incentive to obtain a £2,000 discount, reducing this price to £9,295. And since the Corsa ecoFLEX attracts only 13 per cent Benefit in Kind tax for company drivers, and a mere £35 VED annually, it’s set to be one of the cheapest cars to run on the market.

For more details talk to Malcolm Greig or click here for more details about ecoFLEX models on the Vauxhall website..

New Astra - First Official Photos
14 May, 2009

Set to replicate current Astra’s success as best-selling British-built car
Bold, distinctive exterior design matched with spacious, premium-feel cabin
All new chassis with adaptive damping will raise bar in class for comfort & handling

Check out he first official image of the new, British-built Vauxhall Astra, which will debut as a five-door hatchback at this September's Frankfurt Show and is set to appear in UK showrooms at the end of the year.

It will be the sixth model to bear the Astra name and that will be about the only thing about it that is old. The highlight of the new Astra's powertrain line-up is the introduction of an all-new, 140PS turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol unit, which builds on Vauxhall's commitment to engine downsizing and reduced emissions/fuel consumption, while retaining the performance of a larger capacity vehicle. The 1.4T joins three further petrol engines, which range from 100PS to 180PS, and four diesel engines ranging from 95PS to 160PS all of which are are Euro 5 compliant.

More pictures and details as we have them over the next few months but if you want to see more now click here to go the new Astra website.

£2K Bangers for Cash Discount Tops Vauxhall's Summer Deal Bonanza
08 May, 2009

Vauxhall embraces UK Government’s Scrappage Programme
Buyers benefit from a minimum £2k discount on all Vauxhall cars and commercials
Supplementary offers, such as 5% cash back and 0% finance, boost discounts further

Vauxhall has given its wholehearted support to the Government’s Scrappage Programme, and has confirmed that it would roll out the £2,000 discount across its full range of car and commercial vehicles, while maintaining all its existing finance offers – and some additional discounts, too.

Astra buyers, for example, will now benefit from not only a straight £2,000 discount across any car in the range, but also Vauxhall’s ‘You Pay, We Pay’ deal on eligible models, which gives them five per cent cash back on the amount financed, combined with nought per cent finance for up to four years, and free redundancy cover.

If that weren’t enough, buyers who plump for the British-built Astra Life 1.4 hatchback receive a £3,870 ‘Scrap and Save’ discount from participating dealers, in addition to the £2,000 scrappage discount, reducing the price to £8,995 – a total saving of £5,870 off the recommended retail price.

For those buyers who thought that a new Vauxhall was just out of reach, the great news is that the recently launched Agila range now starts at £6,995 for the generously equipped Club 1.0i ecoFLEX model, after participating dealers apply a special £2,430 ‘Scrap and Save’ discount, which includes the regular £2,000 scrappage discount.

Vauxhall retailers will be happy to handle all the paperwork for buyers who take up the scrappage scheme including the arrangements for their old car to be scrapped. ‘There’s never been a better time to buy a new Vauxhall,’ said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director.

For more details talk to Malcolm Greig or click here for more details.

BTCC News
21 April, 2009

Round 2 of the British Touring Car Championship takes place this weekend at Thruxton in Hampshire and VX Racing will be looking to build on a promising start to the season.

Matt Neal won the first race and was on the podium for the other two with Fabrizio Giovanardi helping Vauxhall to a 1-2 result before experiencing a puncture and then damaged bodywork in the last race. Success leads to penalties in BTCC so Matt Neal will be carrying ballast again at Thruxton.

At the end of Round 1, VX Racing leads both the Teams and Manufacturers Championship whilst Matt Neal has 38 points to head the Drivers' standings. Matt's victory was VX Racing's 100th race win in the BTCC.

If you can't see the racing live then follow it on ITV4 on Sunday afternoon.

Find more about the VX Racing team by clicking here and learn more about the BTCC by visiting the official website at www.btcc.net.

New Eco Insignia Flexes Diesel Muscle
21 April, 2009

Generating a combined figure CO₂ of just 136g/km and with performance similar to that of its regular 2.0 CDTi 160 sibling, the new Insignia ecoFLEX is set to provide company and private buyers with significant reductions in taxes and running costs, but without the pain of reduced driveability.

Available initially in hatch and saloon versions, and in all trim levels apart from SRi, the Insignia ecoFLEX is on sale now with a starting price of £19,600 OTR for the Exclusiv model.

More details on the Vauxhall website, click here.

New Insignia Sports Tourer
20 March, 2009

The Insignia range is being enhanced on April 10 with the arrival of the Sports Tourer model, the third significant body style in the line-up and the first new model to be added since the car’s launch.

Retaining the hatch and saloon’s rakish, but graceful silhouette, the Sports Tourer is available with all the class-leading innovation found in the current range, such as FlexRide, Intelligent AFL and Adaptive 4X4, but with enhanced practicality, thanks to a 540-litre load area with the rear seats up. Dropping the 60:40 split rear seats converts the Sports Tourer into an even more capacious load-lugger, with a volume of up to 1530-litres.

There is choice of 6 engines, all complying to Euro 5 emissions standards as well as 5 trim levels.

More details on the Vauxhall website, click here.

Vauxhall Unveils New-Look BTCC Racer for 2009
20 March, 2009

VX Racing has launched its new look for the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship with incumbent VX Racing drivers, Fabrizio Giovanardi and Matt Neal, being joined by Andrew Jordan this season for a three-car assault on the championship.

The team enters the new season holding all three championship titles – Driver, Team and Manufacturer, with Vauxhall claiming its eighth Manufacturer title in 2008 and Giovanardi taking the ninth Driver title of his touring car career. All three drivers have high expectations for this season, but know the challenge ahead will be the tough.

The season starts at Brand's Hatch during the first weekend in April but if you can't make it to see any of the races live then you can follow the coverage on ITV who will have over 100 hours of live airtime plus highlights.

Find more about the VX Racing team by clicking here and learn more about the BTCC by visiting the official website at www.btcc.net.

Green Light for New ecoFLEX Zafira with New Engine
17 March, 2009

Using a new-to-range 1.7-litre advanced diesel engine emitting combined emissions of just 139g/km, Vauxhall’s latest addition to the Zafira line-up has all the right credentials to become the first ecoFLEX model in the range making it one of the greenest and most fuel efficient seven-seat compact MPVs on the market. .

With a Combined fuel figure of 53.3mpg (47.1mpg for the 1.9 CDTi), this Zafira now has a theoretical range of 680 miles, meaning fewer trips to the pumps and less damage to your wallet.

Prices start at £17,310 for the Zafira Exclusiv ecoFLEX, a mere £100 premium over the equivalent 1.9 CDTi 120PS model. But since all Zafiras are available with Vauxhall’s ‘You Pay, We Pay’ deal, buyers benefit from zero per cent interest from two to four years (with no deposit to pay on the two year package) while also collecting a cheque equivalent to five per cent of the amount financed.

For more details call Malcolm Greig.

Vauxhall No. 1 Best-Selling Brand in UK for February 2009
6 March, 2009

For the second time in three months, Vauxhall is the leading brand for new car registrations in the UK, recording a total of 9,372 vehicles.

During February, Vauxhall had a total of 4 models in the UK’s top 10 registration chart: the Corsa, Astra, Vectra and Zafira with Corsa being the most popular Vauxhall model with almost 3,000 registrations.

Vauxhall Ampera Confirmed for UK Market
3 March, 2009

Electric car with 300-mile extended range • To be marketed as part of the Vauxhall range • UK sales start in 2012, in right-hand-drive

The revolutionary Ampera yesterday celebrated its world premiere at the 79th Geneva Motor Show.

The five-door, four-seat model features Vauxhall's new design language, first introduced on the 2009 European Car of The Year award-winning Insignia, incorporating several styling cues from the innovative Flextreme and GTC Concept show cars.

The Ampera's wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to around 40-miles, it runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits zero CO₂. When the battery's energy is depleted, electricity from the on-board engine-generator extends the Ampera's range to more than 300 miles. Just plug it into any household 240v outlet for charging

The right-hand drive model will go into production in 2012.

Grab Some Team Spirit - with Vauxhall's New VX Racing Models
2 March, 2009

Limited Edition Corsa & Astra VXRs celebrate Vauxhall’s success in BTCC • Cars’ colour schemes replicate those of race team • VXR Performance Centre parts discount included with every car

With the 2009 BTCC season almost upon us, Vauxhall has just launched two stunning limited editions based on the Corsa and Astra VXR to celebrate VX Racing’s success in the 2008 British Touring Car Championship.

Known as the Corsa and Astra VX Racing Editions, they will have a combined production run of 888 cars.

As well as sharing the VX Racing team colours of red and black, all VX Racing Editions gain full leather Recaro seats as standard. The VX Racing theme continues outside the car with logos on the B-posts and tread plates, too.

To make sure that you’d never mistake a VX Racing Edition from an ‘ordinary’ Corsa or Astra VXR, tinted rear glass, a black rear diffuser and black side bump strips and door mirror covers are all part of the package. Gloss-black alloy wheels – 18” for Corsa, 19” for Astra – come as standard on all VX Racing Editions.

Buyers will also benefit from a healthy discount on other Vauxhall Performance Centre parts and accessories. Corsa and Astra VX Racing Editions are available to order now.

Drive It Day - Vauxhall Heritage Centre Opens Its Doors Again
24 February, 2009

Vauxhall Heritage Centre to open for annual classic car celebration • Free entry and autojumble • Entrance via Park Street, Luton, 10.30am to 4.00pm

Vauxhall will be throwing open the doors of its Heritage Centre to mark the annual ‘Drive it Day’ celebration of classic motoring on Sunday, April 26 – and to mark the occasion further the event will include family entertainment and a free autojumble, where classic car enthusiasts can offload unwanted spares and automobilia to other like-minded folk.

In 2009, the event will also form the backdrop to the centre’s annual open day, which moves from its traditional June date to earlier in the calendar, following on from the massive success of Drive it Day in 2008, when over 150 classic vehicles attended.

The site will be open to everyone, with a special parking area for those arriving in old or interesting transport. And while the focus of the day will be Vauxhall’s own collection of over 50 classic Griffin-badged classics, from the earliest 1903 model to the iconic muscle cars such as the Lotus Carlton and Monaro VXR, access to the classic car area will be open to any make or model.

In 2008, that included no less than four incredibly rare Citroen GSs, a Guy bus, a Rover P6 Estoura estate and a 1956 Chrysler Imperial, all of which just turned up on the day.

Electric Car at Geneva Motor Show
27 January, 2009

Vauxhall's sister company Opel will soon be revealing the Ampera electric car which features innovative GM Voltec technology.

On March 3 at the world-famous Geneva Motor Show more details will become available about this revolutionary 5-door 4-seat extended range electric car.

As the world continues to search for cleaner technology to power vehicles this could be quite something. More about this as soon as we have it in early March.

The Vauxhall Web Site
5 January, 2009

If you have never visited Vauxhall's web site then you don't know what you have been missing!

As well as being able to find out everything you could want to know about the current Vauxhall car range there is lots more information that current Vauxhall owners may find useful.

Point your web browser at www.vauxhall.co.uk to find out more. In the Drivers' Centre you can find the cheapest local fuel prices, plan your next journey using the routeplanner or check out the jams on the UK's motorway system courtesy of TrafficNet from Trafficmaster.

Ben Greig Vauxhall is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.