30/11/2011 17:07
The Buzz surrounding Vauxhall's forthcoming hot hatch is already reaching dizzy heights.
And after the Astra VXR was shortlisted for the What Car? Annual Reader Award 2012, demand is sure to go through the roof.
The Luton-based manufacturer has quietly gone about testing the model in recent weeks and has allowed the few images and videos posted online to do the talking.
This approach has worked a treat, with the VXR one of the most hotly-anticipated Vauxhall released of all time.
Should the VXR oust last year's winner, the Range Rover Evoque, as the number one choice for What Car readers, then Vauxhall is sure to have a monster hit on its hands.
Among those standing in the way of the sporty model are the Audi A3, Ford B-Max and Ford Kuga.
Jaguar's C-X16, the Peugeot 208 and the Toyota Prius+ are also in the running, along with efforts from Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Skoda and Subaru.
Chas Hallett, What Car? editor-in-chief, said: "All the What Car? team have differing views on what they'd choose as the winner of this award, and no doubt so will our readers.
"I think the award went to the right car this year, because the Range Rover Evoque has certainly been an exciting addition to our roads. Let the voting for 2012 commence."
Posted by Craig Salter