Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8
Click either image for a high-res gallery of the Vauxhall VXR8.
Our friends across the pond finally get to enjoy the new LS3 that's currently powering the Pontiac G8 GXP and Holden Commodore HSV, with the revised Vauxhall VXR8. The upgraded V8 has grown from 5,967 cc to 6,162 cc and is producing 425 hp at 6,000 rpm. Coupled with the revised automatic gearbox, 0-60 times drop to 4.9 seconds (from five), and the run from 80 to 100 mph is reduced from 4.3 seconds to four seconds flat. Fuel economy remains the same as the outgoing LS2 and automatic-equipped models now get a transmission cooler standard. The new VXR8 is currently on sale in the UK for £35,695, an extra £485 over the outgoing model.Hit the jump for the full press release.
Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8
[Source: Vauxhall]
PRESS RELEASE
New V8 for VXR8: same calories, fuller flavour
- New 6.2-litre V8 engine
- Improved in-gear performance
- Option of 20" alloy wheels
- Gearbox oil cooler standard on auto
- Addition of Heron White to colour palette
Vauxhall's mighty VXR8 super-saloon gets a potent new V8 engine this summer, with even more power and improved performance. The new unit allows the VXR8 to raise the bar yet again among its rivals, optimising its sophisticated rear-wheel drive chassis still further and retaining its mantle as a driver's car like no other in its class. New colour and equipment options further enhance this, the fastest car to wear the Griffin badge.
Known as LS3, the new V8 engine's capacity grows from 5967cc to 6162cc, and thanks to various improvements over the outgoing LS2 unit, such as high-flow cylinder heads, new pistons and an enhanced valvetrain, power is up by 14PS to 431PS at 6000rpm.
This translates to a reduced 0-60mph time for cars with automatic transmissions (down from 5.0 seconds to 4.9) and improved in-gear acceleration for manual models (50-70mph in 3rd gear drops from 2.8 to 2.6 seconds; 30-50mph in 2nd gear drops from 2.0 to 1.9 seconds). And if you fancy smoking your VXR8 at a track day, you'll see 80-100mph times fall from 4.3 to just 4.0 seconds in 4th gear.
Despite the VXR8's enhanced performance credentials, its LS3 produces the same emissions and fuel consumption as the outgoing LS2 unit. In addition, the VXR8 automatic receives a transmission oil cooler as standard.
Buyers for the LS3-engined VXR8s also receive the choice of an all-new body colour - Heron White – at no extra cost, as well as the option of factory-fit 20-inch rims for the first time on this model.
Prices for both manual and automatic versions of the LS3-powered VXR8, which are on sale now, rise by £485 to £35,695.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bobby joe 12:43PM (5/06/2008)
first! Enjoy that Yank power!
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ignerentyank 7:31PM (5/06/2008)
The "L" in LS3 stands for lotus.
Lotus designed these engines originally, on contract for GM
jac1d 1:09PM (5/07/2008)
I would really like to see a comparison test between the G8 with the V8 and the current gen M3, which is twice as much money, but similar statistically. Failing that, even a detailed statistical comparison would be interesting.
No question, the M3 is the superior car, but by what percentage? Is it subjectively 15% better for 100% more money?
-Jeff
bobby joe 12:44PM (5/06/2008)
you funny british guys
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SPG 12:44PM (5/06/2008)
That's cool, really cool actually.
However I think at this stage in the game if you want to really rock the automotive world you have to get those kinda figures with a zero emmissions vehicle.
If a tuner can get over six hundred ponies out of an electric Mini then I'm sure the General (who can make some great electric cars) can get that and more.
Plus, seating for five with more power then the Vette or the AMG next to you at the stoplight and zero carbon?
Pretty sweet.
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Yar 12:50PM (5/06/2008)
Way to get completely off topic. Electric Mini? I'm sure some tuner can make a great electric car, but that doesn't mean it can meet all safety regulations necessary to put it into production. On top of that, most people don't want their engine sounds through the speaker system.
Russell 12:53PM (5/06/2008)
Type atfer me http://www.autobloggreen.com
There you go buddy.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:43PM (5/06/2008)
Yeah, you can get 600HP out of an electric Mini, for about 2 mins.
Battery technology isn't there yet.
And I'm not anti-electric car. I drove a Tango a week ago. 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
psarhjinian 12:44PM (5/06/2008)
I can't even imagine what the owners of this car pay in gas and insurance. At six to eight bucks a gallon, it's got to smart.
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montoym 6:49PM (5/06/2008)
And if they want to pay it, it's their right. No one is forcing you(or them) to buy one.
That said, I think I want to move to Australia. It's a beautiful place and they have a great automotive culture as well.
montoym 6:52PM (5/06/2008)
LOL, I'm also confusing my Vauxhalls with my Holdens. Guess I should read it a little slower.
Oh well, I still would rather move to Australia than Britain.
psarhjinian 9:00PM (5/06/2008)
It's not so much that I think they shouldn't, I just can imagine how someone could. My penultimate European trip saw me renting a Meriva, which was my first non-diesel rental in Europe (I've done a few since).
At some point, I found myself stuck behind an Infiniti FX45 in Switzerland and I really wondered, after lightening my pocket filling the Meriva, how the heck someone could keep something like that FX, the abovementioned VXR8, or cars like the M5/E63/RS6.
It's like how I can't imagine paying millions of Euro to live in the Left Bank. Well, no, I could imagine that. I just couldn't do paying six to eight dollars a litre for fuel in a car that gets ~16mpg in the city.
spdracerut 1:08PM (5/06/2008)
That's a badass looking car... better than the Pontiac IMO. Last I checked, gas is over $8 a gallon over there, but anyone buying this car is not going to care about gas prices.
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Clinton 1:35PM (5/06/2008)
Not only did Vauxhall manage to get navigation installed but they have those nice analog gauges versus the ugly digital ones in the Pontiac.
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race1foru 1:48PM (5/06/2008)
i don't know if that car has nav, but you're right- those analog gauges look so much better than the lcd's on the G8. I wonder if the GXP G8 will have the analogs...
Kaptain75329 2:45PM (5/06/2008)
The VXR8 does get a GPS Navigation system as optional equipment -- check out the top right-hand button on stereo control module -- more than likely because On-Star isn't the big deal for GM over there as it is here in the USA.
Whether or not the G8 gets a built in NAV is debatable in light of On-Star, but starting in 2009, the G8 will at least be getting XM Satillite radio and Bluetooth phone integration. The NAV is no biggie.. Garmin sells better units that are cheaper to buy and update, and are significantly easier to use anyway.
Agreed on the analog gauges btw - they look cleaner and more upscale when compared to the over-sized digital counterparts on the G8. A minor quibble, but it's little details like that which add up to complete the whole package. Even so, a G8 GXP in stick is my idea of a good time. :)
tankd0g 2:55PM (5/06/2008)
Navi is to Britian as cup holders are to America. You get it in just about everything.
Rick 9:35PM (5/06/2008)
Where's the 4 cyl version?
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Gavin S. 2:32PM (5/06/2008)
Jezza will be forced to hate it due to it having an American engine, right?
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Justin 4:56PM (5/06/2008)
Oh noes pushrodz!!!!!
On a side note, I can honestly say I like the Pontiac grill/front end better than this, although the Holden beats them all.