Vauxhall will open the order books on the new VXR8 in January. It's a fairly all-encompassing facelift, using a different car as its base and now including Launch Control and Magnetic Ride Control.
The VXR8 is built by GM's Australian performance arm, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), and whereas the
previous car was based on the Clubsport R8, this one is based on the more sophisticated HSV GTS.
Its 6.2-litre V8 develops 425bhp and 406lb.ft, giving it a 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds and a limited 155mph top speed. Launch Control enables drivers to mash the throttle safe in the knowledge the car will make a perfect start every time.
Its suspension is as per the old car's - MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear - but Magnetic Ride Control scans both the road and driver inputs up to 1,000 times a second for an optimum ride/handling balance.
Interior revisions include full leather interior and a new Enhanced Driver Interface linked to the five-inch infotainment screen. Think Nissan GT-R - track times, g-force indicators, and yaw angles. That sort of thing.
The exterior benefits from daytime running LEDs, a new grille, rear spoiler and some new vents.
It will set you back £49,500 for the VXR8 when deliveries begin in March, which isn't cheap, but it is a full £29,000 less than a
Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG and £13,000 lower than a
Jaguar XFR.
Mark Nichol - 15 Dec 2010
