Predicated on sister organization HSV's new Gen-F GTS, the VXR8 GTS has turned into the strongest production car ever to come from Australia. With an on the road cost of merely GBP54, 999 in the United Kingdom it lets owners the most affordable membership into the club.

'The very fact that vehicles such as the VXR8 GTS remain demonstrates that there's a little, but exceptionally enthusiastic group of consumers around who need to drive something that's distinctive and particular,' said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall's Head of Carline Manufacturer. It is also, around GBP20k less than its chief competitors - the M5 and E63 AMG - however has more power than both.'

Engine

Performance figures will probably be published shortly, but remember that even the naturallyaspirated VXR8 attained a 0-60mph time in 4.9 seconds plus a small top speed of 155mph...

Design

The brand new frontend composition of the VXR8 GTS has bold images and shallow ramp angles that emphasise posture and width. The focus of the new look is actually a 'twin nostril' grille and an allnew fascia which helps to produce both an intense look and an air-intake area big enough to cool the LSA V8.

Actually, a total of 130,000 square millimetres of open frontal area was required to produce the cooling necessary for the brand new motor - 75 percent much more compared to the outgoing LS3-engined auto.

Daytime running lights - which can now function whenever the headlights are switched on - and 20inch 'Blade' forged alloy wheels complete the frontend design.

A distinctive bodycoloured performance back spoiler with black accents helps put the GTS apart still additional.

Inside, the VXR8's cottage design has experienced a raft of design modifications. An upgraded instrument panel with a fresh instrument cluster, suedestyle inserts, gauges, center console, appliques and door trims combine to produce an even superior feel and look.

Dynamics

The VXR8 GTS is fitted with the allnew Brake Torque-vectoring technology, to cater for the functionality provided by the LSA motor. Brake Torque-vectoring helps reduce understeer by producing a 'rotational moment' in the rear-axle as the vehicle is under power.

Wider tyres also provide drivers more traction. Continental 255 / 275 / 35 R20 (back) and 35 R20 (front) were selected as standard equipment, because of their extraordinary performance in both wet as well as dry conditions.

A fresh Driver Preference Dial was developed, to help motorists in manipulating the different electronic vehicle operation systems. Situated behind the gearshift, the Driver Choice Dial adjusts settings to one of four ways: Sport, Touring, Functionality and Monitor.

The VXR8 GTS's braking capability has-been significantly improved with the fitment of Associated Press forged 6-piston calipers with twopiece discs front and back. Along with the higher disk diameters, the calipers - forged from 6061-t6 aluminium - provide a greatly improved strength-to-weight ratio and produce noticeable developments in brake modulation and sense. The back brake pad dimension has been raised by 12 percent.

'With our new cast calipers, bigger rotors and raised pad size, we are assured the GTS brake package may be the equivalent of anything in the planet,' said HSV's Chief Technologist, Joel Stoddart.

Technologies

The VXR8 has come of age, and includes numerous technologies never seen before within this version.

Head-up Display is conventional and reveals a raft of motorist info to the windshield, for example vehicle speed, engine temperature, and even G-forces!

Ahead Collision Alarm is another engineering fitted standard to the GTS, and it is the first program of its own type to be accessible in a Vauxhall merchandise. A cam, situated over the mirror scans the road ahead as much as 14 times per second. Predicting hard braking, sufficient brake pressure is applied by the system to close the space between the brake pads and discs, hence providing a faster brake response-time.

Utilizing exactly the same camera technologies, the VXR8 GTS also has Lane-departure Warning. Made to fight driver tiredness, audible sound and a warning indicator alerts the driver to any unintentional lane departures.

Vauxhall VXR8 video review