Vauxhall VXR8 Carbon (2008) CAR review

For when (if?) a 530bhp supercharged Vauxhall VXR8 isn’t enough, UK V8 gurus Wortec bring you this 600+ bhp 600 lb ft monster; the Carbon Edition. Let the tyre torture begin…

This VXR8 Carbon Edition looks a bit tough

This is the VXR8 brought to you by the creators of the Monaro VXR500 - Wortec. Put simply, the Carbon Edition offers more power and more refinement than Vauxhall's own supercharged version of the VXR8 (produced through Walkinshaw Racing). Wortec felt the four-door muscle saloon hadn’t been given the justice it deserved. If Walkinshaw is Vauxhall’s AMG, then Wortec is Brabus; taking things just a bit further, with a slicker feel to back up the sledgehammer performance.

The Walkinshaw version uses a supercharger of 1.2-litre capacity whereas Wortec’s Carbon Edition breathes via a 2.2-litre and charge cooler. Wortec claims its blower moves air more efficiently and creates less heat – the death knell of bhp on these engines. But the best part of all Wortec tuning parts is that it’s upgradeable. Says Wortec’s Brian Richards: ‘We see our install as an upgradeable car nut install, whereas the Walkinshaw supercharger is a somewhat tamer, non-upgradable solution.’ Existing VXR8 owners can either buy individual Wortec upgrade goodies or order the full Carbon Edition package through selected UK Vauxhall dealerships.