Autocar article today
Autocar article today
Author
Discussion

Shropshiremike

Original Poster:

24,126 posts

225 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
Good write-up on the new VXR8 in today's issue - 4 pages

greens vauxhall

830 posts

231 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
Autoexpress also!

madazrx7

5,813 posts

239 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
Have they actually tested a VXR8? On their website there is a review of the HSV GTS; not quite the same thing...

ShropshireMike

Original Poster:

24,126 posts

225 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
madazrx7 said:
Have they actually tested a VXR8? On their website there is a review of the HSV GTS; not quite the same thing...

They haven't put it through the full road test procedure, no. It's a 4-page 1st drive article.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it does get road tested though as they're big fans of them on the mag

madazrx7

5,813 posts

239 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
ShropshireMike said:
madazrx7 said:
Have they actually tested a VXR8? On their website there is a review of the HSV GTS; not quite the same thing...

They haven't put it through the full road test procedure, no. It's a 4-page 1st drive article.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it does get road tested though as they're big fans of them on the mag

No what I meant was is it actually a VXR8 or the GTS?

greens vauxhall

830 posts

231 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
It was a VXR8

phrich

549 posts

245 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
"AT A GLANCE
White-backed dials and leather bucket seats lend a sporty touch, but the cabin does not feel special enough. Extras on offer include a supercharger to boost power to 534bhp and £2,500 20-inch alloy wheels."

Is the supercharger a Vauxhall fitted fully warrantied option?

mackie1

8,168 posts

255 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
phrich said:
"AT A GLANCE
White-backed dials and leather bucket seats lend a sporty touch, but the cabin does not feel special enough. Extras on offer include a supercharger to boost power to 534bhp and £2,500 20-inch alloy wheels."

Is the supercharger a Vauxhall fitted fully warrantied option?



It's done by Walkinshaw and is warranted AFAIK.

Huffy

352 posts

242 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
I have never thought fuel consumption was the foremost criteria in the purchase of a car (I am on my 4th V8 so a regular visitor to any number of petrol stations!)and accept that cars such as these and Monaro's are not bought for their frugalness but I see the fuel consumption figure is quoted in the article as 15.2mpg - does anyone know if this is the official figure or the test figure? Unfortunately regular use means drawing the line somewhere (for me anyway) and if reality were to be say 12mpg it may mean fuel consumption figured higher up the list of considerations.


Edited by Huffy on Wednesday 16th May 13:28

gareth h

4,164 posts

252 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
Wouldn't have thought it would be much different to a 6.0 monaro, it's a bit heavier, but I don't notice the consumption change when I carry a passenger!

V8 EOL - Rich

2,782 posts

244 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
mackie1 said:
It's done by Walkinshaw and is warranted AFAIK.
If that's true and assuming there isn't an alternative, its one in the eye for Greens & Wortec!

well_fans

4,193 posts

246 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
only Walkinshaw can carry out warrantied mods on the VXR8 - apparently. Have heard some of his pricing points and in comparison we've been spoiled so far with our dealer mods and prices.

308mate

13,758 posts

244 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
phrich said:
"AT A GLANCE
White-backed dials and leather bucket seats lend a sporty touch, but the cabin does not feel special enough. Extras on offer include a supercharger to boost power to 534bhp and £2,500 20-inch alloy wheels."

Is the supercharger a Vauxhall fitted fully warrantied option?



It annoys me when they say that. Not special enough?

Its a family car/volume seller thats got some VERY special aspects, not a budget Maybach.

Mind you, I guess it could be a compliment if the rest of the car leaves their expectations for the interior that high.

Or is it just expensive? :scatchchin:

greens vauxhall

830 posts

231 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
V8 EOL - Rich said:
mackie1 said:
It's done by Walkinshaw and is warranted AFAIK.
If that's true and assuming there isn't an alternative, its one in the eye for Greens & Wortec!


There is, and will be an alternative. Details to follow...........

rich_y2

16 posts

227 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
It's still lookin good to me - I have to chuckle at the interior quality, more often than not reviewers are mentioning the 'feel' of the plastics (for any car) and whilst I can see that a soft touch dash is nice how often do you actually spend touching these bits of plastic.

For me I want something that doesn't rattle and creak over the UK pot holes and most importantly a good feeling steering wheel with good feedback and a comfy seat for my backside to enjoy the ride through. Soft plastics are nice but the drive of the car and the soundtrack are my higher priorities.

I just need to pursuade myself the VXR8 is a sensible option after a Porsche Cayman S (which although drives fantastically well lacks a little character for me).

Huffy

352 posts

242 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
gareth h said:
Wouldn't have thought it would be much different to a 6.0 monaro, it's a bit heavier, but I don't notice the consumption change when I carry a passenger!

Neither would I hence my slight surprise as I am sure the 6.o Ro is quoted at 18 combined (although I have the smaller one so I may be talking bllx - as happens occasionally )

o.versteer

3,338 posts

251 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
rich_y2 said:
For me I want something that doesn't rattle and creak over the UK pot holes and most importantly a good feeling steering wheel with good feedback and a comfy seat for my backside to enjoy the ride through. Soft plastics are nice but the drive of the car and the soundtrack are my higher priorities.


This is actually a very valid point in reference to these cars, in my opinion. My VT2 HSV is one of the least rattly cars I have ever owned, this despite it having fairly hard suspension and the dash being made out of recycled carrier bags. Rattles a lot less than both an S-Type and a 5-series I've owned in the past, so sod soft touch, I'd rather not be going bananas with rage over a rattle in the dash like I did with my Jag..... nuts

V8 EOL - Rich

2,782 posts

244 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
You can tell the Monaro isn't as stiff as other modern cars. Throwing it in to a corner or other such track like goings on you can hear the car creak as the body shell flexes. My humble 2003 Vectra didn't no matter how much stick I gave it but then it wasn't as heavy and the tyres were only 215s.

My Monaro also has the rattle from hell. It sounds like a nut has loosened and the freed washer is dancing for an Oscar. I think its coming from the gear stick area!

madazrx7

5,813 posts

239 months

Wednesday 16th May 2007
quotequote all
rich_y2 said:
....

For me I want something that doesn't rattle and creak over the UK pot holes ...

believe me if it can survive our goat track roads down here it will easily manage the relativly smooth tarmac in England