2 points:
1. The VXR simply does not have the chassis to cope with that power - even JC on top gear agrees. Thats why the GTI is better - its perfect balance of power to relevant body design of what it can ideally cope with and it does what a hot hatch is meant to do in confidence. As Count-von-Sauron nicely put it, the GTI will keep you away from the nearest tree unlike the Astra. I feel Vauxhall were trying to prove a point here by maxing the power, just so it could be advertised with more power than the GTI, or the megane 225. As for the astra, in my opinion you would be better off buying a Leon Cupra R if you want more power than the Golf GTI
2. 3.2L FSI turbo for the new R32 - to be honest I was hoping for more than a 10BHP inc over the old R32 - not complaining but the thought of being nearer to 280 perhaps. (Considering the fact that a 2.0FSI will remap to 240BHP with no major problems).