Vauxhall VXR8 (2007): first official pictures

Vauxhall VXR8: the lowdown

Fans of the recently departed Monaro, rejoice! Vauxhall has today announced its replacement, and it's another hairy-chested, Aussie bruiser: this VXR8 four-door. Although lacking the badge pedigree of the Lotus Car games lton, comparisons with the fabled 1990s hot saloon aren't wide of the mark. The rear-drive VXR8 uses the fastest Monaro's 6.0-litre V8 and delivers a muscular 414bhp, enough for a rapid 4.9sec dash to 60mph.
It's Australian, you say?

Yep - it's based on the Aussie-built Holden HSV Clubsport R8, which helps explain the Vauxhall's bargain-basement price. Owners of German super-saloons may weep when they see the VXR's £34,995 price tag. Rumbling V8 power is widely, and cheaply, available in Oz, you see. The lump in the VXR8 is essentially the same as in the outgoing Monaro VXR, but fettled to liberate more power and torque. As well as those 414 horses, there's a handy 406lb ft of torque with which to pulverise the rear tyres.