VXR 500
Who'd have thought a Vauxhall would ever pack a punch like this?!
Vauxhall have been meddlling with the Vectra and Monaro VXR models to give them more grunt.
New 2007 model year versions of the Vectra VXR have had the power boosted from 252bhp to 276bhp, thanks to a redesigned induction system, modified engine components and retuned electronic engine control software. These revisions to the 2.8-litre V6 turbo engine knock four-tenths of a second off the 0-60mph sprint time, taking it down to 6.1 seconds for the hatchback and 6.3 seconds for the estate.
To match the engine’s extra power, Vauxhall’s engineers have also tweaked the chassis to give more dynamic handling. Modified spring and shock absorber settings and correspondingly retuned IDSPlus2 chassis control software is said to optimise the pitch, roll and turn-in characteristics to make the most of the increased performance. All this activated by a dashboard-mounted Sport Switch.
Almost 500bhp!
Meanwhile the Vectra’s big brother has had an even more dramatic power boost, thanks to a supercharger.
The limited-edition VXR500 is based on the standard 6.0-litre Monaro VXR, but uses forced induction to take the power from 403 to 500PS and torque up from 530Nm to a massive 677Nm. In addition to the positive displacement supercharger, the conversion also includes an upgraded fuel system, clutch revisions and bespoke engine tune.
It’s expected that the VXR500 will have a sub five second 0-60 time and a top speed in excess of 180mph.
This limited edition model is available for only £35,995 on-the-road. That’s less than half the price of any other coupe with 500bhp!
While the Vectra VXR is available to order now from any Vauxhall retailer, the VXR 500 can only be sourced from Greens Vauxhall on 01634 246755.
280bhp through the front wheels? It can't be nice. I've read about, but not had the pleasure of driving, the latest VXR and I hear it's surprisingly not totally ruined by torque steer. But surely this is only because of electronics, such as the traction control, reigning things it... Why give it that much power in the first place?
A car that size with that much power should be shooting to 60 in under 6 seconds - I believe the STi Impreza's were quotes at 4.66 seconds (P1) with 280PS and 4WD.
If you want to throw that much power through it why not make it 4WD - or better yet, rear?
I really don't see the point to be honest... Hot hatches gone mad!! Focus on keeping the weight down rather than having more weight and power every year...
When is someone going to release a modern 205? Weighs naff all, doesn't have enough power to shred it's front tyres if you sneeze with your foot on the throttle (and have TCS turned off), doesn't have 18" wheels and rock hard suspension.
Something that gives us drivers a massive stupid grin cos we're able to drive it hard and experience the wonderful chassis working rather than just feel the (admittidly great) turbo rush of electronically limited performance.
I want Lotus philosophy to build out hot hatches, not AMG.
It's true you do get used to power...
My Scooby was well fast when I first got her - standard UK spec but I soon got used to it.
I'm up to 280bhp now and while I'm used to it for attacking B-Roads I really don't want more.
I already miss some of the corners I used to be able to take foot flat on the floor with 30bhp less...
As for the wife's 380bhp Supra, that's immensley silly.
I do love it when she treats me to a drive (go on love, have another drink I'll drive you home) but that's WAAAAY too fast for our roads.
So 500bhp must be RIDICULOUS!
But yes, I'm sure I'd love it!
280bhp through the front wheels? It can't be nice. I've read about, but not had the pleasure of driving, the latest VXR and I hear it's surprisingly not totally ruined by torque steer. But surely this is only because of electronics, such as the traction control, reigning things it... Why give it that much power in the first place?
A car that size with that much power should be shooting to 60 in under 6 seconds - I believe the STi Impreza's were quotes at 4.66 seconds (P1) with 280PS and 4WD.
If you want to throw that much power through it why not make it 4WD - or better yet, rear?
Big power can be put down surprisingly well through modern, big rimmed front wheel drive cars. My Leon Cupra R (18" wheels + Goodyear Eagle F1s) can be floored in every gear (in the dry) without wheelspin apart from <20mph in 1st. There is also very little torquesteer.
I've also been in tuned big turbo Leons putting out ~320bhp. Again, no wheelspin in the dry at all apart from at low speeds. I will admit that FWD cars do suffer a bit more on poor road surface and in rain.
4wd certainly has its advantages, it will murder an equal power FWD car in the rain, in tight twisties and on a poor road. However, on a dry road and in a straight line an equal power FWD car should out-accelerate the 4WD car when rolling (due to additional weight and transmission losses).
I know what you're saying about power train losses and so on but going like for like on power... But compare the 0-60 times of the new VXR and the P1 Impreza - both 280PS.
But then the VXR is probably heavier to start with.
It's the weight that's my main gripe with these hot hatches... If they were lighter they wouldn't need so much power.
Well impressed with your Leon Cupra though..!! I know they're impressive bits of kit, but I'm very surprised and impressed there's that little wheel spin.
And that's with no electronic limitation? All mechanical? Well played Seat...
Big thumping V8's are long overdue on this country's roads. Always a pleasure to see and hear one - especially with a sports exhaust!!
Probably why I was having a go about the Vectra on page 1 - bloody hot hatches all over the place. You just want someone to do something different...
Though these discenting Aussie and Kiwi voices here are obviously in the minority down under, or they wouldn't be everywhere would they.
Supercars they may not be but I long for the BTCC to return to days of RWD big BHP monsters... Long live the RS500!!
They do offer a disclaimer that this is in no way a scientific fact!
Anyway, back to the Vectra VXR... Not wanting to start a fight but my girlfriend and I have noticed recently that these seem to be driven by the new generation of Golf GTi drivers.
Everytime I see one it's being driven as hard as they can whatever the circumstance or situation, swapping lanes at the last minue, narrowly missing a cyclist, no indication - just a belief that they can do what they like in their quick car.
It was always the same with the Golf GTi's - maybe the GTi drivers younger brothers are picking up VXR's.
Surely giving them more poewr is asking for trouble.
I must advise this is slightly tounge in cheek but it is neverless something I have observed about GTi drivers in the past (not the current or previous GTi I must admit) and VXR drivers currently.
Maybe it's the sort of driver they attract...
I'm not having a go, just saying what I see in the best traditions of catchphrase...
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