Monday 11th September 2006

VXR 500

Who'd have thought a Vauxhall would ever pack a punch like this?!

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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 IDS^Plus2 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.

[darkblueturbo]

Isn't it about time they stopped putting SO MUCH POWER through FWD cars?

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.

[darkblueturbo]

I didn't comment on the Monaro... Fantastic!!!
But is so much as 500PS really necessary?

Mind you - I'd love to find out. Bargain stuff. Reletively...

Edited by darkblueturbo on Monday 11th September 13:38

[GSI_Daz]

darkblueturbo said:

But is so much as 500PS really necessary?

YES!!

Well, no, but.....

The trouble is, once you have had 400ps for a while it seems to never be enough and dare I say it almost seems to start to feel slow!

Bring on the 500PS, will do unitl they bring out the 600!

[caspy]

www.autocarmag.com/News_Article.asp?NA_ID=222256

[GTRene]

hm...500ps does sound realy good for that sort of money
Put that engine in a lightweight car like lets say Exige/Elise sort of cars and I buy one
GTRene

Edited by GTRene on Monday 11th September 14:00

[turboman]

GTRene said:

hm...500ps does sound realy good for that sort of money
Put that engine in a lightweight car like lets say Exige/Elise sort of cars and I buy one
GTRene

Edited by GTRene on Monday 11th September 14:00

Easy, Marcos TSO. There you go.

[darkblueturbo]

They should give me a job :-)

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!

[tony*t3]

Top Gear describe the current Vectra VXR as positivly dangerous, as although its stonkingly fast, it simply plows on when you try to corner.... now add some extra bhp to that and its going to become a true 'lethal weapon'....

love the idea of a supercharged Monaro though.... tire shredding hoot....

[V8HSV]

But is so much as 500PS really necessary?

Yes, essential, I find 570 brake not enough in such a big & heavy car

[mackie1]

Surely the Vectra is only dangerous if you pile into a corner with the T/C turned off with your right foot buried into the carpet. That's just dangerous driving, not a dangerous car.
However I would say that 276bhp in a FWD car is rather a lot and is not being deployed in the best way. However the Focus ST (modified) handles that much power very well indeed, mainly because the power delivery is so smooth and the chassis is second to none.

[A57 HSV]

My 540(ish)bhp was just about right. Never felt overwhelming as some moded cars can & very rarely broke traction, even in the wet. The chassis could have coped with more bhp I'm sure. Telling though, I never reached the point were I was tempted to further increase the bhp, although I did get used to the performance.
Don't listen to those who say that a fast road car is pointless due to congestion etc. I was regularly able to exploit the power. I do consider myself lucky to have survived 5+ years of HSV driving with a clean licence though!
If I was to get another HSV in the future, I'd want nearer to 600bhp though, just so it would be different to the last.
V8 HSV requires a good 100+ bhp extra just to shift all that ICE, LOL.

[jackass]

The Saab 9-3, which shares it's platform with the Vectra, gets AWD next year.

With the TCS on the Vectra immitates a LSD by braking the spinning wheel, it also balances the car using the brakes something even best racing driver can't do as he doesn't have 4 feet and 4 brake pedals.

[deadlym]

tony*t3 said:

Top Gear describe the current Vectra VXR as positivly dangerous, as although its stonkingly fast, it simply plows on when you try to corner.... now add some extra bhp to that and its going to become a true 'lethal weapon'....

Strangely, Evo didn't completely slate the Vectra's handling.

[tomtvr]

VXR500 - pure stroke of genius! and bargain of the century at 35k - who would have an m3?!

That vectra is rediculous, i just dont see why they cant give it rwd? what is the reason? surely they could use the transmission from the Monaro so it wouldent cost bzillions to develop. Then i would want one!

[mackie1]

Well Rover did re-engineer the 75 to be RWD but why would Vaux do it? They still have the Monaro as their halo model so adding another powerful RWD car to the lineup isn't needed. They could just import and rebadge the new Commodore, much more cost effective and much nicer than a Vectra.

I really hope Vaux do decide to sell the new VE series cars. An SS-V or HSV GTS would make a lovely replacement for my Monaro in a few years time.

[Dunk76]

deadlym said:

tony*t3 said:

Top Gear describe the current Vectra VXR as positivly dangerous, as although its stonkingly fast, it simply plows on when you try to corner.... now add some extra bhp to that and its going to become a true 'lethal weapon'....

Strangely, Evo didn't completely slate the Vectra's handling.

Strange that...

Two things to think about here.

1) JC et al are renowned for their laddish behaviour, and watching the TG test on the VXR it did stink of deliberate understeer - TCS off and bury the go button just after the apex - in which case it's bound to behave as it did.

2) Evo do (IIRC) carry very big Vauxhall adverts - including those 'advertorials'

[andyinpembs]

Remember driving a saab 9-3 viggen which had 230bhp through the front wheels - that was shockingly bad. I simply don;t want to find out what the vecrea is like...

Always fancied a monaro though. 500hp in one of those just *has* to be fun...

[annodomini2]

V8HSV said:

But is so much as 500PS really necessary?

Yes, essential, I find 570 brake not enough in such a big & heavy car

500ps - 454bhp (1.1ps: 1bhp).

Seems good for the money

[caspy]

1.01ps!!not 1.1!!!!

[uk hsv]

turboman said:

GTRene said:

hm...500ps does sound realy good for that sort of money
Put that engine in a lightweight car like lets say Exige/Elise sort of cars and I buy one
GTRene

Edited by GTRene on Monday 11th September 14:00

Easy, Marcos TSO. There you go.

TSO GTC IS £50,000 (+options) and has 420hp............maybe www.elfin.com.au/flash/index.aspx would suit you...........sir