Vauxhall Astra VXR to Get 300-HP; Could Be Offered in U.S. as a Buick

In an effort to compete with the impressive Ford Focus RS and Renaultsport Mégane, General Motors is reported to be building a new Vauxhall Astra VXR with as much as 300-hp. So why should you care? Well, because the Astra shares its underpinnings with the Buick Excelle, which recently launched in China and is set to be introduced in the U.S. in the near future, likely wearing the Verano badge.

Buick is reportedly considering bringing over both a hatchback and wagon version of the Excelle, giving us hope that a a 300-hp Buick Excelle/Verano model could be a part of the automaker’s plans. Power would likely come from a turbocharged 2.0-liter through a front-drive setup using an electronic limited slip differential.

And while we’d like to see Buick launch a twin-turbo V6 using the Cadillac CTS Coupe chassis and badge it as a Grand National, perhaps a 300-hp turbo hatch is just what Buick needs to change its image.

[Source: AutoCar]