Wednesday 26th March

Vauxhall Astra 888 CDTI | PH Private Area

A fast diesel hatch today might have 200hp - this special edition Astra was boasting that 20 years ago...

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Motorsport-inspired specials veer to one extreme or the other: they’re brilliant, or they’re naff. For every Impreza 22B or Tommi Makinen (or the current GR Yaris specials), there’s a dubious sticker set or tenuous racing association. Or a Sebastien Loeb Citroen. Seldom is there a middle ground of just ever so slightly improved motorsport special. Probably how it should be, really - the death or glory of competition makes it to the showroom. 

With all due respect, a diesel Vauxhall Astra was (and is never) going to be the most inspirational start for a track-inspired special edition. But back in the mid-'00s, not only was it a more fashionable fuel, but the three-door Astra Sport Hatches were going great guns in the BTCC. It made sense to capitalise on that success, of course. The VXR covered off petrol power, while those after diesel could get one of these: the 888 CDTI. 

The what? Well, Triple Eight was running the race team, and this Astra was their attempt (with Vauxhall’s blessing) at injecting some motorsport nous into the humble oil-burning Astra. No, really. Only available from Thurlby Motors and limited to just 100 units, the 888 boasted another third more power than standard (for a healthy 200 in total) alongside a monster 330lb ft. With more than 40mpg still claimed. 

But because a proper race outfit converted the Astras, it was no mere mid-range monster. The suspension was 30mm lower, the wheels were lighter and the Toyo tyres stickier, while the monster 335mm brake discs featured calipers built for Triple Eight by Alcon (!). The 888 CDTI was very well received back in the day, punishing ride notwithstanding: ‘In fact, if Subaru built an oil-burning Impreza STi, it would surely be a lot like this’, read one verdict. So there.

The hundred all sold pretty quickly, helped by an unbelievably modest premium of just £120. Even accounting for inflation, the £17,995 asking price in 2006 is £30k now - a proper performance bargain, by all accounts. That’s likely meant a few have fallen by the wayside, because the motorsport influence didn’t come at great expense, but all these years later 888s are surely going to be in enthusiast hands - i.e. the select few who know it’s not just an old Astra diesel. 

This one appears to have been loved, certainly if the list of recent work - gearbox rebuild, new brakes, new injectors, subframe repainted - is anything to go by. It still scrubs up more than alright, and those 888 details like the wheels and calipers are great to see. The Recaros that were optional in period are also available. For a fast and frugal commuter, or a rare groove '00s hot hatch, you’d be going well to surpass the 888 CDTI. Just remember it wants fuel from the black pump…  

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SPECIFICATION | VAUXHALL ASTRA CDTI 888

Engine: 1,910cc four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@3,550rpm
Torque (lb ft): 330@2,750rpm
MPG: 45 (est.)
CO2: 149 (standard Astra CDTI)
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 89,000
Price new: £17,995
Yours for: £5,750

See the original advert

[wistec1]

In some parts due to the governments "poisoned fuel tag" I've a soft spot for almost anything diesel but not so much this era of Astra having said that who knew about the 888? I didn't. The mileage would suggest it's been used and enjoyed, factor in it's a rare thing and it's probably going to be a future classic it just doesn't look the part for me and the blandness is more a Q car. All the same nice to see though.

[Gecko1978]

Quite interesting this, quick frugal understated. I just don't think many will see the appeal but surely a car that's been made already an does 40s mpg is better than building a new BYD or other EV to save the planet

[Dombilano]

Pretty cool and interesting car for just over 5k. No idea it even existed. My only concern would be 330lb/ft hulk smashing the front wheels without a diff, unless it has one?

[Earthdweller]

It looks just like an SXI or SRI of the day, none of the visual appeal of the VXR

Rare for sure, but probably for a reason

[georgeyboy12345]

Back in the day when I had a long commute I had pretty much this engine in an Alfa Romeo 147 JTD, remapped to 212 bhp. It was a hoot when it was working properly.

[Bill]

Dombilano said:

Pretty cool and interesting car for just over 5k. No idea it even existed. My only concern would be 330lb/ft hulk smashing the front wheels without a diff, unless it has one?

Not convinced. Sure it's a rarity, but it's still an old diesel Astra.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Weird kind of mix of being sort of interesting and about as desirable as herpes at the same time.

[Baldchap]

I remember wanting one of these back in the day but bought a MK1 Fabia vRS for my 120 miles per day commuting.

Quite a cool little curio but I don't want it now.

[mooseracer]

Earthdweller said:

It looks just like an SXI or SRI of the day, none of the visual appeal of the VXR

Rare for sure, but probably for a reason

That reason being they only made 100 of them, 20 years ago?


Astra 888 rang a bell but I could have sworn they were petrol - bit of googling reveals that was a special edition of an older version.

[Turbobanana]

Quite interesting, but I'd need to know the thickness of paint on the roof before proceeding.

[Edgey1]

Thurlby Motors followed this up with a T9 version, more resolved than the 888. Even fewer produced (15 I think), searched for a year but never managed to find one for sale so moved on.

Edited by Edgey1 on Wednesday 26th March 09:16

Edited by Edgey1 on Wednesday 26th March 09:17

[cooperd5]

A nice curio for sure. I like this gen of Astra, until I open the door. The interior is so dull.
Thurlby Motors used to be in the depths of Lincolnshire, some great roads around there.

[119]

I seem to remember, Thurlby offered a Vauxhall backed remap of the 150CDTi to 180BHP fully warranted all done aftermarket at the local dealer.

[BricktopST205]

I live very close to Thurlby Motors. Always saw these in period and their dealership always had all the cool Vauxhalls in the forecourt on the way to Skegness in the 00's. Now it is a shadow of its former self. A bit like Vauxhall.

[BigChiefmuffinAgain]

Or just get something like a 330d - a lot better car for the same money.

[greenarrow]

I'm a big fan of this generation of Astra having temporary custody of my daughter's Astra H 1.6 last year. They're really solidly built cars, tough metal doors and sturdy. Take a lot of stick. Good chassis balance too. Not fazed by your average crest and bump laden back road. I never liked Vauxhall, much preferring Fords, especially the Focus back in the day but really enjoyed hooning around in what was a base model fairly gutless bread and butter hatchback. I imagine this 888 CDTI will be quite a lot of fun. I recall Autocar taking one of these on their 0-100-0 test, against a VXR. The VXR was obviously quicker, but seem to recall the diesel getting to 100 MPH in around 17 secs, making it as fast as a Mk5 Golf GTI in a straight line. I also really like the 3 door coupe shape in the AStra H - to my eyes far easier on the eye than the rather lumpen and substantially bigger Astra J coupe which followed. £5750 isnt even a huge amount of money by modern day standards for a curiosity like this.

[Cryssys]

A what? Never heard of 'em.

A 20 year old, souped up diesel Astra in silver. It may be rare but is it desireable?

At least its not stupidly priced.

[GeniusOfLove]

Trying to make a FWD diesel hatch "sporty" with these mods is like making your labrador go faster by putting a bell on his tail, save the light wheels and big brakes for cars that deserve them and can actually do something useful with them, I'm sure that bit of unsprung weight saved will help that cheap nasty torsion beam axle thump about much more sportingly.

Not once have I driven one of these sorts of cars and thought "if only it had lighter wheels and was 30mm closer to the ground, then this would actually be good". Total exercise in putting perfume on a pig.

Edited by GeniusOfLove on Wednesday 26th March 10:46

[Retro.74]

Quite nice in an understated kind of way. Surprised they lowered it put some nice wheels on and then left it at that styling wise, but it probably benefits from that today. Not even a token Irmscher sticker in sight.

[snorkel sucker]

I very nearly bought one of these back in the day. I had a long commute - 100miles - and was tempted by the performance on offer for the mpg gains.

I didn't end up getting one - instead I stuck two fingers up to fuel economy and ran a whole host of interesting cars through that period; EP3 Type R, DC2 Integra, S2000, Nissan 350Z, Focus ST 2.5.

For sure the Astra is an interesting proposition but do I regret not getting one? Not one bit!