Vauxhall’s attempt to set or break 18 world and UK speed endurance records has been confirmed.
Two Vauxhall Astras covered more than 3000 miles over 24 hours at the high-speed bowl at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. The lead Astra covered 3002.44 miles at an average speed of 125.101mph, stopping only for fuel and a change of tyres.
Twelve drivers, including Autocar road test editor Matt Prior, drove the cars for four hours each. The fastest two-mile lap was covered at an average speed of 131.852mph, just over 2.1sec below the car’s official top speed.
The world 1-, 6-, and 12-hour records were broken, and the UK 24-hour record smashed by 25mph.
The team set 12 records in the FIA’s 1600-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class and six in the MSA’s 1500-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class.