Wednesday 15th December 2010

VXR8 Gets A Revamp - And A Price Hike

More money, but better spec for Vauxhall's new-look super-saloon

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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.

[Thorburn]

Christ, where did they get the inspiration for the restyling? An NCAP crash test car?

That's dreadful.

[B17NNS]

That's a fair old price hike.

Fair enough there is a bit more equipment but that's not really what the VXR8 was about.

No longer the performance bargain it once was.

[Walton]

£14,500 price hike partly explained by VAT rise......

Sure it's not meant to be £39,500 i.e. a £4500 price hike?

[Gizmo!]

So, people bought the old one because it was cheap and fast. They didn't care how it looked.

Now it's not so cheap, fast, and even uglier.

Pushing it a bit aren't they?

[marcosgt]

Looks even more like a Evo than ever!

M.

[hbwold]

Seems very over-styled, and I'm not a fan of those wheels either. Much prefer the old shape.

[W00DY]

The old one may not have been a looker, but that is the most hideous bodykit ever fitted by a factory. And they want you to pay (a lot) more? April's not for a while lads.

[kambites]

So is it a completely new car, or a reworked version of the old one?

[Truckosaurus]

I see they carefully show the handbrake in the 'off' position in the pictures.

It's a nasty piece of plastic and a poor piece of design that would shame a £5000 supermini let alone a £50k super-saloon.

[robsco]

So, it has lost it's USP in being a performance car for the masses, and they've made it uglier for good measure?

[Tuvra]

Walking straight into the line of some very serious second hand motors still under warrantee. I cant help but think their main competitor would be the Nissan GTR? Despite the obvious advantage of two extra doors.

Personally I think it looks awful, I liked the old one, this new one is just way OOT, especially in YELLOW

Edited by Tuvra on Wednesday 15th December 11:24

[y2blade]

"Griffin-badged M5-worrier"


who are you trying to fool?

[crostonian]

I quite like it and when was the last time anyone paid anywhere near list price for a Vauxhall, never mind a Monaro/VXR8?

[Roberty]

That is hideous!

And those wheels

[E21_Ross]

that looks absolutely hideous!!

[MintyChris]

Looks god awfull and £50k? No.

[UltimaCH]

Is it made in LHD? And those wheels are just hideous..... (can't find a better word to describe them)

[AbleArcher]

This car's design makes it look dated and it isn't even due to be released until next year, and what's with that motor!!?? With 6.2L displacement, this thing should produce a lot more than 425 bhp!! Sensible manufacturers are getting similar output from much smaller, naturally aspirated engines, making this yet another fantastically inefficient GM product.

Edited by AbleArcher on Wednesday 15th December 11:31

[E21_Ross]

at 425bhp it's in the same power class as the M3/C63 etc. it's well down on power than the RS6/E63 and the forthcoming M5.....

hmmmmm.

the interior also looks a little cluttered and those leather seats look like they've already got 50k miles on them!

Edited by E21_Ross on Wednesday 15th December 11:37

[Chapppers]

£15k worth of fake carbon fibre I reckon.