Official Vauxhall Astra VXR Tamer

0-60mph from 6.2 seconds to a far more stately 14.06 seconds

*Advanced new gadget brings Astra VXR power into line with rivals


*Makes car easier to handle for inexperienced drivers and road testers

Are you VXR enough? After extensive market research, Vauxhall has discovered that a number of people aren't.

In direct response to some media critics who claim the Astra VXR is 'just too powerful' the Luton-based company is announcing a new accessory to tame the output of its 240PS turbo engine.

Taking the form of a fully-branded detachable padded mat, it uses Velcro fasteners to attach itself to the carpet beneath the accelerator pedal. This stops the throttle from being depressed fully and instantly reduces the power output of your car to the lower levels of some rivals.

Under strict testing conditions, Vauxhall engineers discovered that the 0-60mph time of an Astra VXR fitted with the device increased from the normal breathtaking 6.2 seconds to a far more stately 14.06 seconds, while the top speed was reduced from 152mph to just 104mph.

The device, which is available to order at Vauxhall retailers from April 1, has been named the Accelerator Pedal Retarding Intervention Lump.

Vauxhall's VXR development engineer R. Hugh-Shaw said: "We could have made the Astra VXR less powerful in the first place, but we thought we'd let customers decide how much performance they would like by simply choosing the position of the accelerator pedal with their right foot. For anyone who is incapable of doing this, AP-RIL could prove a godsend. If there is sufficient demand, we will consider widening the range with a mat which gives the 6.0-litre Monaro the performance of a two-litre."

AP-RIL is priced at just £104.06, about the same as two tanks of fool.