(Wed 07 Apr 10)

Slightly ironically, given that we're coming out of a harsh winter rather than going into one, Vauxhall has launched a new Arctic Edition version of the high-performance Astra VXR.

The new car is immediately recognisable thanks to its Olympic White paintwork and contrasting black roof, door mirrors, front grille and tailgate trim. It also comes with extra equipment in the form of heated leather Recaro front seats, tinted glass and black 19" multispoke alloy wheels.

If bought as extras for a standard VXR, that lot would cost £1965, but the Arctic Edition is in fact just £720 more expensive than normal, costing £23,595. Vauxhall is offering its Panoramic Windscreen as an option for the first time on the VXR, at an extra cost of £920.

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