Earlier this week, rather disappointingly, General Motors announced it would cease all manufacturing operations in Australia by the year 2017. The end of Australian manufacturing could mean the end of Australia’s signature super sedans too, like this, the most powerful car to ever emerge from the land down under, the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS.
The VXR8 GTS, based off Holden’s Gen-F GTS, has a tweaked version of GM’s LSA supercharged V8 producing 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque, helping it accelerate from 0-60 in a scant 4.2 seconds and on to a very limited top speed of 155 mph. Additionally, the VXR8 GTS’ price tag of £54,999 make it the cheapest way to get yourself a car in the 500+ horsepower club in the United Kingdom.
To help deal with all that extra gusto, the GTS is fitted with a Brake Torque Vectoring system, which brakes the inside wheel and transfers torque to the outside wheel to help reduce understeer during high speed turns. It also receives GM’s magnetic ride control system with three independent settings, helping to deliver better ride control, sharper handling and a more pliant ride quality than the outgoing model.
The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is set to make its official debut at the Autosport International Show on January 9 in Birmingham, UK next month.
Comments
The Aussies get the mighty Holden HSV GTS … Lucky bar-stewards!
The Brits get the awesome Vauxhall VXR8 GTS … Very lucky bar-stewards!
And here in the States, we get the very tame-looking Chevy SS, that in comparison, reminds me of the ol’ Biscayne my Aunt Mabel drives to Sunday service in the Sarasota burbs!
Wake up GM … AND GIVE US AMERICANS SOMETHING REAL EXCITING AND ENTICING TO DREAM ABOUT!!
I hope you’re reading this Mary Barra!
To be fair, we get stuff like the Camaro ZL1.
“Wake up GM … AND GIVE US AMERICANS SOMETHING REAL EXCITING AND ENTICING TO DREAM ABOUT!!”
The ATS-V and CTS-V aren’t too far away for you Yanks; cars that aren’t as available in Oz or the UK.
I’d rather have something like this…
Hmmm? I wonder if the new RWD Buick and Opel will be shared here in England.
As for the whiners the SS supercharged model will be here next year.
Hmmm? I wonder if the new RWD Buick and Opel will be shared here.
As for the whiners the SS supercharged model will be here next year.
Where did you read that?!
The VXR8 looks like a BMW 3 series.
Let me guess, the US SS has great cup holders but no manual transmission. That way we don’t spill the over sized cokes in the McDonald’s drive through. WTF.