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By Ben Barry
First Drives
17 September 2008 09:00
It might have only been launched a year ago, but the Australian-built Vauxhall VXR8 has already been upgraded. The big news is the new LS3 engine. Seems the 6.0-litre V8 LS2 was a bit weedy at 411bhp and 405lb ft, so the LS3 takes its place with a newly swollen 6.2 litres of Aussie muscle.
A 6.2-litre lump that’s shared with a Corvette will never please the greens, but VXR8 owners do get to have their cake and eat it; power rises to 425bhp, while emissions and fuel economy remain unchanged as does, sadly, the torque output. Thank the high-flow cylinder heads, new pistons and a revised valvetrain for the improved efficiency.
Thankfully for them, the driving experience remains much the same: the VXR8 still feels like a saloon version of the Nissan 350Z – a bit rough around the edges but still great fun.
Driving them months apart, as we did, it’s hard to pick out the differences. On the road you’ll notice that the mid-range is a little stronger – the factory figures claim 50-70mph in third drops from 2.8 to 2.6sec while the 80-100mph falls from 4.3sec – but the 6.0-litre remains a quick car.Click 'Next' to read the rest of CAR's new Vauxhall VXR8 review
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dougbm says
RE: Vauxhall VXR8 facelift CAR review
In Australia most of the fatalities involving young street racers seem to be small turbo Japanese cars (WRX's). These big Aussie muscle cars are out of the reach of the younger drivers. Maybe they will get hold of them in a few years when they have dropped in value. Nowdays every Nissan Skyline GTR seems to have a drainpipe exhaust and a youf cruising around with a mega sub crankin. The Skyline was banned from racing here in the 90's after two years of outright dominance. Hence the formation of the Aussie Supercar series that no doubt eventually lead to the development of cars such as the R8.
21 September 2008 21:48
Batty says
Too true thepommie, but I almost killed myself in low powered FWD drives as well as V8 RWD when I was a young bloke. I know it's not PC, but most of us motorheads did it if we are being honest. I don't condone it, nor promote it but it exists. I feel for all those families touched by the tragedy of our fatality rate but driving in Europe I saw the same attitudes there too. We are not unique.
18 September 2008 07:25
thepommie says
I took my neighbour's new Holden Commodore SS out for a spin the other day. 367hp £15,500 brand new. 2nd gear will take you to the speed limit (110km/h) whilst it'll cruise at just above tickover in sixth. The downside of cheap, accessible power is that this car will be in the hands of hoons in a few years' time -- and Australia's terrible accident and fatality rate is something I'd not want to import to Britain.
18 September 2008 04:26
Nice to see you all like it; makes an Aussie very proud. This is the tame version however. There has recently been released a W427 model with a 7.0 litre dry sumped enginee from the racing Corvette C6 with over 500BHP!!! Full factory version and warranty. Pricey (over $100k here), but awesome. We are fortunate down here that two of our top selling cars remain big engined and rear drive. Most of us are lucky enough to learn then how to full power drift cheaply and early in our driving lives. Hell, my company "car" is a Crewman, essentially a four door Commodore (basis of the VXR8), with a tray (what you may see as a "pick up": fringe benefit tax exempt you see ;-)). I run the 5.7L V8 small block daily, only 315bhp but still loads of fun and a lovely noise. Still, a 1.4 TD must be good on fuel in the UK ;-).
17 September 2008 22:38
johnserebeton says
Some fuel crisis…these things are selling like hotcakes down here in New Zealand.
17 September 2008 22:18
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