Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Megane 265 vs Vauxhall Astra VXR video

Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup or new Vauxhall Astra VXR, which is faster? This drag race video should help find out...

Renault Megane 265 Cup vs new, mk2 Vauxhall Astra VXR. On paper, it's a very close battle.

The Megane's 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine has 261bhp and 265lb ft of torque; it's enough to shuffle the 1387kg hot hatchback to 62mph in 6sec dead and onto a 158mph top speed. The new for 2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR is more potent still, its 2-litre turbo four boasting 276bhp and 295lb ft, but it also has nearly 100kg more to shift (weighing 1475kg). That means a 5.9sec 0-60mph time and 155mph top speed. It all bodes well for a very interesting drag race - which one will pull out in front on Bruntingthorpe's well-trodden runway?

Advertisement - Article continues below

Watch the video below to find out, and read the full road test (which also features a Ford Focus RS) in evo issue 173, on sale this week.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Peugeot’s new petrol engine swaps belts for chains to improve reliability
Peugeot Turbo 100
News

Peugeot’s new petrol engine swaps belts for chains to improve reliability

New engine isn’t performance-oriented but does address some reliability issues around so-called ‘wet belts’, swapping them out altogether for chains
16 Mar 2026
Four hyper hatches for two-thirds less than the new £92k Audi RS3 Competition
Used hyper hatches
News

Four hyper hatches for two-thirds less than the new £92k Audi RS3 Competition

Whatever happened to accessible hot hatchbacks? Nevermind the £92k Audi RS3 Competition, buy these instead
19 Mar 2026
Car makers are U-turning on EVs but car buyers are going to pay the price
Plug-in hybrid Lamborghini
Opinion

Car makers are U-turning on EVs but car buyers are going to pay the price

While the combustion engines we love have a stay of execution, the future won't be all sunshine and rainbows for car enthusiasts
17 Mar 2026