That Griffin-badged M5-worrier, the Vauxhall VXR8, is getting a significant revamp, with new styling front and rear. That's not because of any pen work in Luton, of course - the styling tweaks come courtesy of the Holden Commodore HSV GTS, the car that the Vauxhall is beyond its badge.
In fact, as far as we can work out, these press photos are of a mildly doctored Holden rather than a Vauxhall - the badge and number plate seem suspiciously 'shopped and those trees in the background don't exactly look British... still, it's the same car really, so we guess that doesn't matter).
The refreshed VXR8 is getting a bit of a price hike, however. While the old car came in at a whisker over £35k, the new VXR8 is going to set customers back £49,500.
That is partly accounted for by the new 20 per cent VAT rate, but also because the new VXR8 is now based on HSV's E3 GTS model - just launched in Australia - whereas the previous VXR8 was based on the lower-spec ClubSport R8.
Despite the price hike, Vauxhall is keen to point out that it still undercuts full-size super-saloons like the Audi RS6, Jaguar XFR and Mercedes E63 AMG by between £13k and £29k, and even that it's cheaper than those from the class below - think BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG.
Full leather trim and eight-way adjustable HSV Performance seats are now standard, too.
Other tweaks to the inside include a new, more sophisticated-looking instrument cluster and centre control stack, while the outside gets a new 'Shockwave' grille, LED daytime running lights (of course...) and new wing-vents at the front, with a new rear spoiler, LED tail lamps and twin exhaust tips at the back of the car.
The chassis, which uses MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link independent set-up at the rear, is broadly unchanged, but the VXR8 now gets Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). This is a suspension system that adjusts up to 1000 times a second to road conditions and driver inputs, and is based on technology used in GM's current Corvette ZR1.
In a fine show of if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it' thinking, Vauxhall/Holden has left the drivetrain unchanged, which means 425bhp, 406lb ft and 6.2 litres of LS3 GM V8. That's enough for 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds and a governed top speed of 155mph.
And to prove that the VXR8 is capable of such feats, the car is now fitted with launch control, which is engaged when drivers select the Electronic Stability Control's Competition Mode. The system dictates the level of torque delivered to the rear wheels for maximum acceleration, according to surface conditions. All the driver has to do is floor the throttle and let the car do the rest. Vauxhall reckons that its launch control results in acceleration runs no more than 0.1 second apart.
The VXR8 will be available to order later this month and goes on sale officially in March 2011.
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