silvestra
9th June 2004, 12:32 PM
VXR Blasts Into UK
Vauxhall has unveiled the first two models in its new premium sports brand. The VXR220 and the Monaro VXR are making their debuts at the British Motor Show. Vauxhall hopes the new brand will re-establish it as the maker of serious high-performance cars.
The new 220bhp VXR220 is a development of the VX Turbo. The engine gets a new ECU and turbocharger for an extra 20bhp and rides on lowered and uprated suspension, closely related to the Lotus Exige set-up. The brakes have been uprated with ventilated discs and new pads.
Inside, the VXR220 gets the same race seats found in the Exige and the cabin is trimmed extensively in carbonfibre and red Alcantara. Just 65 examples will be made and they will cost £29,995. Orders are being taken at the motor show.
Vauxhall sources describe the new 380bhp 5.7-litre V8 Monaro VXR (see page 74) as 'a complex hybrid'. Costing £35,585, it is basically a Holden Coupe GTO HSV, although it gets the wheels and exhaust from the more extreme GTS model and the sports suspension package offered in Australia.
The next car in the VXR series will be the dramatically-styled, and rather more real-world, three-door Astra. Currently undergoing development work around the Nürburgring, it's expected to produce between 230 and 240bhp from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all of which will be directed through the front wheels. It should arrive in the UK in May 2005.
The Vectra VXR could be as far away as late 2005. Vauxhall has decided to wait for the new General Motors V6 engine rather than plump for an intermediate solution such as a supercharged version of the current V6 (see evo 058).
With the newer 3.2-litre V6 under its bonnet, the Vectra should be good for nearly 300bhp in twin-turbo form. Currently there's a debate going on as to whether this engine will be hooked up to a new four-wheel-drive system.
In time there will be a VXR version of all core Vauxhalls, including the (next-generation) Zafira and Meriva people carriers.
Although the VXRs will be based on their Opel OPC sister cars (Vauxhalls are badged as Opels on the continent), Lotus will be tweaking the chassis, which bodes well for their compatibility with difficult UK roads. VXRs will also have more aggressive looks than the OPC cars.
Comments: 0 Article from: evo
Vauxhall has unveiled the first two models in its new premium sports brand. The VXR220 and the Monaro VXR are making their debuts at the British Motor Show. Vauxhall hopes the new brand will re-establish it as the maker of serious high-performance cars.
The new 220bhp VXR220 is a development of the VX Turbo. The engine gets a new ECU and turbocharger for an extra 20bhp and rides on lowered and uprated suspension, closely related to the Lotus Exige set-up. The brakes have been uprated with ventilated discs and new pads.
Inside, the VXR220 gets the same race seats found in the Exige and the cabin is trimmed extensively in carbonfibre and red Alcantara. Just 65 examples will be made and they will cost £29,995. Orders are being taken at the motor show.
Vauxhall sources describe the new 380bhp 5.7-litre V8 Monaro VXR (see page 74) as 'a complex hybrid'. Costing £35,585, it is basically a Holden Coupe GTO HSV, although it gets the wheels and exhaust from the more extreme GTS model and the sports suspension package offered in Australia.
The next car in the VXR series will be the dramatically-styled, and rather more real-world, three-door Astra. Currently undergoing development work around the Nürburgring, it's expected to produce between 230 and 240bhp from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all of which will be directed through the front wheels. It should arrive in the UK in May 2005.
The Vectra VXR could be as far away as late 2005. Vauxhall has decided to wait for the new General Motors V6 engine rather than plump for an intermediate solution such as a supercharged version of the current V6 (see evo 058).
With the newer 3.2-litre V6 under its bonnet, the Vectra should be good for nearly 300bhp in twin-turbo form. Currently there's a debate going on as to whether this engine will be hooked up to a new four-wheel-drive system.
In time there will be a VXR version of all core Vauxhalls, including the (next-generation) Zafira and Meriva people carriers.
Although the VXRs will be based on their Opel OPC sister cars (Vauxhalls are badged as Opels on the continent), Lotus will be tweaking the chassis, which bodes well for their compatibility with difficult UK roads. VXRs will also have more aggressive looks than the OPC cars.
Comments: 0 Article from: evo