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A HOT hatchback that can be bought for less than £8,000 has the speed and power of an iconic Ferrari.

Petrolheads looking for something with plenty of oomph on a budget need not break the bank - with a superfast Vauxhall model providing plenty of cheap thrills.

This surprisingly fast hot hatchback can outpace a Ferrari
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This surprisingly fast hot hatchback can outpace a FerrariCredit: Piston Heads
Better yet, they can be bought for under £8,000
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Better yet, they can be bought for under £8,000Credit: Piston Heads

The souped up Vauxhall Astra 2.0T VXR Euro 5 - the high-performance variant of the Astra - matches sporty looks with incredible speed and acceleration.

In fact, at the very top-end, the Astra VXR can hit a top speed of 155mph, and can reach 0 to 60mph in just under six seconds.

That's certainly sports car stats which many Ferrari models unable to match.

From our understanding, that includes the well-loved Ferrari Dino 246 GTS with a top speed of 148mph - but a price tag of £300,000.

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On the lower end, there's the £50,000 Ferrari 208 GTB with a top speed of 150mph and the Dino 308 GT4 with gets to around 154mph.

The Astra VXR is more than just a boy-racers car though, as it also one of the most practical cars in its class.

With adaptive dampers set to 'comfort' mode, it can even be quiet and comfortable.

What's more, they are surprisingly roomy inside with plenty of legroom in the rear seats - even for taller passengers.

One listing on Pistonheads offers a 2013 Astra 2.0T VXR Euro 5 with three doors for just £7,980.

Five reasons why Vauxhall's brand new Grandland is poshest and most sophisticated motor the company has ever made

The black hot hatch boasts 276bhp with a 2.0-litre engine and many features, including 19-inch alloy wheels, heated seats and park distance control.

This comes as a car expert picked out a bargain hot hatchback that he's described as the "best value for money" you can buy.

And an Alfa Romeo that starred in a legendary episode of a BBC comedy has gone up for sale for just £30,000.

The motor is surprisingly practical
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The motor is surprisingly practicalCredit: Piston Heads
It's faster than the iconic Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
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It's faster than the iconic Ferrari Dino 246 GTSCredit: BPNS
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