RE: Driven: Vauxhall VXR8

[angusc43]

SleeperCell said:

Pity they dont offer the Senator spec look with the full power GTS engine. It would probably make a more sense considering that the most popular V8 sports saloons like the AMGs, BMW M5s and Audi RS models as well as the Jags are all fairly conservative looking machines. There must be a few people out there who'd love one of these but just can't stomach the retina searing ugliness that is the E2 series HSV GTS.

Good point - this version would get past the style inspectorate/CFO whilst the lairier ones wouldn't....

That's how I managed to slip the first C43 in and the E500. She actually thought I'd bought a diesel when she first saw the 500.....

[marcosgt]

shaun1275 said:

When the new Monaro was first released at home in was heralded as one of the most beautiful cars we'd ever produced (perhaps overstating the case a bit). Holden and HSV then proceeded to make every successive iteration uglier and uglier, the one you got looks like some sort of toad. As for the VE HSV's the less said the better, you must remember this is a car aimed at boagan's and boagan's have no taste

If we knew wtf a Boagan was that might be something that would be obvious

M.

[peak1]

I beleive it is the Australian version of a redneck. White vest, mullet etc

[shaun1275]

bingo

[Acheron]

FINALLY!

This new hideous pile of **** is coming out, so the far superior and better looking version will become a bit cheaper

[thewheelman]

This is more like it, some good old blue collar muscle. Far more interesting than anything the big 3 Germans are offering right now. Love the Monaro

[shaun1275]

Apologies, Ive misspelled bogans, you can't spellcheck a colloquialism

[Gun]

Blimey, that new VXR8 has a face only a mother could love. I'll have a Monaro VXR over that thanks.

[carsnapper]

Cassius81 said:

Is it me or is the Monaro about 1000% better looking than the new VXR8?

The new car has far too many vents, bulges, wings etc... Tacky.

Nail. Head.

[thewheelman]

shaun1275 said:

Apologies, Ive misspelled bogans, you can't spellcheck a colloquialism

But you can.... http://www.urbandictionary.com/

[thewheelman]

marcosgt said:

shaun1275 said:

When the new Monaro was first released at home in was heralded as one of the most beautiful cars we'd ever produced (perhaps overstating the case a bit). Holden and HSV then proceeded to make every successive iteration uglier and uglier, the one you got looks like some sort of toad. As for the VE HSV's the less said the better, you must remember this is a car aimed at boagan's and boagan's have no taste

If we knew wtf a Boagan was that might be something that would be obvious

M.

Bogan...

A fascinating beast. The majority of the species are hideously repugnant and unintelligent, and yet they manage to breed in ever-increasing numbers and populate an area known as the outer west. It is quite common to find five or six offspring in each family group, often with a different father for each new baby.
Their habitat consists of a weatherboard or brick-veneer dwelling and is characterised by an early-model Holden or Ford in the driveway surrounded by a group of males discussing why the carby is stuffed and the results of last night's footy (a primitive gladiator-like spectator sport enjoyed by most bogans).
The female of the species, while smaller in stature, is far more loud and aggressive than the male. While the males tend to be very friendly and congregate with other males, the females spend most of their time in supermarkets and shopping malls, using a shrill high-pitched call to discipline their children and contact other females.
Males and females rarely interact socially except during breeding season, which is otherwise known as Friday night. During this time, females are allowed to enter the male-dominated area known as "the pub" and display their impressive coloured plumage to a prospective mate.
Herein lies an intersting phenomenon. Males will often fight over a particularly attractive female and she will mate with only one male, while some less attractive females have been known to have several partners simultaneously.

[skidsharples]

Great looking car and would love to have one in its native country.

However, after suffering with some of the Vauxhall "brand awareness" products already, being the vx220 and Monaro, I seriously doubt there are many people left who will want to part with their cash to have a vehicle with the support provided in this country. With only 25 coming over each year, the problems encountered with previous models will be compounded further.

If things go wrong with it, and they will, expect it to be sat in a Vauxhall dealer for a few months. Also expect to be on first name terms with Vauxhall Customer Services.

I for one would not like to be spending 50k to drive round in a diesel insignia for months on end.

Great car............in Australia, but owning one in Blighty is another matter.

[EDLT]

The Crack Fox said:

EDLT said:

If this had a diesel engine they would have sold thousands by now.

I think you're missing the point.

I'm really not. Selling an even more expensive version of an expensive car is not a great brand building exercise (remember the MG SV?). If they made something that looks like a VXR8 but does 40-50mpg they would be able to keep the V8 version on as a halo model.

[K50 DEL]

angusc43 said:

Anything with thundering great V8's gets my vote.

and a manual box...... don't forget they've actually given it a manual.
It gets a ten for that reason alone.... that and the fact I think it's a cracking looking car though I'm not sure about the wheels in the last photo!

[jamesr321]

EDLT said:

The Crack Fox said:

EDLT said:

If this had a diesel engine they would have sold thousands by now.

I think you're missing the point.

I'm really not. Selling an even more expensive version of an expensive car is not a great brand building exercise (remember the MG SV?). If they made something that looks like a VXR8 but does 40-50mpg they would be able to keep the V8 version on as a halo model.

It is an 'expensive' version of a normal car - its a Holden Commodore given to HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) to become a Performance model. Having said that I think the normal version is still a V6 & dont think there's a diesel!

[EDLT]

jamesr321 said:

EDLT said:

The Crack Fox said:

EDLT said:

If this had a diesel engine they would have sold thousands by now.

I think you're missing the point.

I'm really not. Selling an even more expensive version of an expensive car is not a great brand building exercise (remember the MG SV?). If they made something that looks like a VXR8 but does 40-50mpg they would be able to keep the V8 version on as a halo model.

It is an 'expensive' version of a normal car - its a Holden Commodore given to HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) to become a Performance model. Having said that I think the normal version is still a V6 & dont think there's a diesel!

It is, but I think the Commodore (with optional VXR8 body kit) would sell over here too, the Omega did OK. Being a GM car they probably do have a diesel somewhere that will fit without too much trouble.

[jamesr321]

EDLT said:

jamesr321 said:

EDLT said:

The Crack Fox said:

EDLT said:

If this had a diesel engine they would have sold thousands by now.

I think you're missing the point.

I'm really not. Selling an even more expensive version of an expensive car is not a great brand building exercise (remember the MG SV?). If they made something that looks like a VXR8 but does 40-50mpg they would be able to keep the V8 version on as a halo model.

It is an 'expensive' version of a normal car - its a Holden Commodore given to HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) to become a Performance model. Having said that I think the normal version is still a V6 & dont think there's a diesel!

It is, but I think the Commodore (with optional VXR8 body kit) would sell over here too, the Omega did OK. Being a GM car they probably do have a diesel somewhere that will fit without too much trouble.

I think offering the VXR8 body kit on a standard Commodore would only harm the HSV / VXR8 brand. Indeed Holden try hard to stop this happening - you have to specify your HSV chassis number as proof if ordering HSV parts etc.

[EDLT]

jamesr321 said:

EDLT said:

jamesr321 said:

EDLT said:

The Crack Fox said:

EDLT said:

If this had a diesel engine they would have sold thousands by now.

I think you're missing the point.

I'm really not. Selling an even more expensive version of an expensive car is not a great brand building exercise (remember the MG SV?). If they made something that looks like a VXR8 but does 40-50mpg they would be able to keep the V8 version on as a halo model.

It is an 'expensive' version of a normal car - its a Holden Commodore given to HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) to become a Performance model. Having said that I think the normal version is still a V6 & dont think there's a diesel!

It is, but I think the Commodore (with optional VXR8 body kit) would sell over here too, the Omega did OK. Being a GM car they probably do have a diesel somewhere that will fit without too much trouble.

I think offering the VXR8 body kit on a standard Commodore would only harm the HSV / VXR8 brand. Indeed Holden try hard to stop this happening - you have to specify your HSV chassis number as proof if ordering HSV parts etc.

Nailing M badges to 320ds never did BMW any harm. Audi have S-Line imagine kits, Mercedes will happily sell you enormous AMG badged wheels and chrome plated everything too.

An exact VXR8 replica might be going a little too far, but a Vauxhall Commodore SRI with 20" wheels, chrome wing mirrors + fog light trims and a pair of huge triangular exhausts would sell to a certain group of people. Making the halo VXR8 model viable (because people want the look-a-like version).

[soad]

I'd say Monaro looks dated but offers plenty of performance for the money

New one more aggressive and is in your face, terrific engine!
Should offer decent value in time...as a used buy

[Smike]

K50 DEL said:

and a manual box...... don't forget they've actually given it a manual.
It gets a ten for that reason alone.... that and the fact I think it's a cracking looking car though I'm not sure about the wheels in the last photo!

I reckon Merc would sell a few more C63s with a manual box