Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Vauxhall wins fuel economy shootout... with 6.2-liter VXR8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/11/vauxhall-wins-fuel-economy-shootout-with-6-2-liter-vxr8/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/11/vauxhall-wins-fuel-economy-shootout-with-6-2-liter-vxr8/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/11/vauxhall-wins-fuel-economy-shootout-with-6-2-liter-vxr8/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Vauxhall VXR8

It's not out of the question to think that Vauxhall could win a shootout for the best fuel economy. But you'd figure the honors would be taken by something like the Ampera plug-in hybrid or one of its EcoFlex models, not the VXR8 muscle sedan, what with its huge 6.2-liter V8 engine. But it's precisely the VXR8 that took the prize at the end of the day.

The Fleet World MPG Marathon doesn't just measure overall fuel economy, but how much of an improvement over its combined city/highway rating they can eke out of a given car. The goal is to demonstrate just how much a driver and his/her driving style can effect the amount of fuel consumed.

By that standard, the VXR8 was a shocker: the vehicle is rated (on the European cycle) at 21 miles per gallon, but with Top Gear online editor Chris Mooney behind the wheel and Vauxhall's own Andrew Duerden coaching from the front passenger seat, they managed to squeeze out a much more pump-friendly 32.14 mpg - a remarkable 53-percent improvement.

Second place went to a likelier candidate in the Suzuki Swift DDiS, which managed to get an astounding 86.4 miles per (diesel) gallon on a 67.3 mpg rating for a 28.3 percent improvement over specification. Follow the jump for both press releases.

Continue reading Vauxhall wins fuel economy shootout... with 6.2-liter VXR8

Vauxhall wins fuel economy shootout... with 6.2-liter VXR8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fleet world mpg marathonfleetworld mpg marathonfuel economympgmpg marathonvauxhallvauxhall vxr8vxr8vxr8 fuel economyTue, 11 Oct 2011 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20077341/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/11/vauxhall-wins-fuel-economy-shootout-with-6-2-liter-vxr8/20077341/article-detail.xml 20077341 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/webvxr8_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/webvxr8.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Vauxhall VXR8 is all we really want for the holidays]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/2011-vauxhall-vxr8-is-all-we-really-want-for-the-holidays/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/2011-vauxhall-vxr8-is-all-we-really-want-for-the-holidays/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/2011-vauxhall-vxr8-is-all-we-really-want-for-the-holidays/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Vauxhall VXR8
2011 Vauxhall VXR8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Listen, General Motors. We know you're kinda busy getting back on track, jump-starting your IPO, and generally getting your house in order. We appreciate it and everything. But could we ask just one favor? You see this Vauxhall? Could you bring it over to this side of the Atlantic, please? You don't have to bring Pontiac back to do it, no matter how many people are still looking it up on Google. You can slap a Bowtie badge on the nose - heck you can make it a Buick if you want. Call it a Daewoo for all we care. Just bring it here.

What we're talking about is the new Vauxhall VXR8, and it could very well be the best performance sedan The General offers this side of the Cadillac CTS-V. And it's just undergone a series of updates, complete with a restyled front end, tail and interior, along with some new gizmos to keep all the power in check.

The VXR8 is based on the Holden Commodore, but instead of the hot ClubSport R8 model on which the previous Vauxhall was based, the new model starts with the new E3 GTS just launched in Australia. That means a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 with 425 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque - kept in line by new Magnetic Ride Control and Launch Control systems, driving through a six-speed transmission (automatic or manual) and a mechanical diff - for a 4.9-second sprint to 60 mph and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

There are plenty more reasons to want this muscle sedan on American shores, pronto, and you can read all about 'em in the press release after the jump. We just hope someone at the RenCenter is listening.


Gallery: 2011 Vauxhall VXR8


[Source: Vauxhall]

Continue reading 2011 Vauxhall VXR8 is all we really want for the holidays

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 is all we really want for the holidays originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holden commodorehsvhsv commodorehsv e3 gtsvauxhallvauxhall vxr8vxr8Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19762786/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/15/2011-vauxhall-vxr8-is-all-we-really-want-for-the-holidays/19762786/article-detail.xml 19762786 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630-40462162503-b-vau_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630-40462162503-b-vau.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Top Gear flogs the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst and HSV Maloo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/video-top-gear-flogs-the-vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-and-hsv-maloo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/video-top-gear-flogs-the-vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-and-hsv-maloo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/video-top-gear-flogs-the-vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-and-hsv-maloo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Top Gear gets busy with some Aussie muscle -- Follow the jump to watch

Let's just say that Richard Hammond rightfully digs the blown, delightfully obscene Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst (above, bottom), which costs a not-insignificant £45,000 in Blighty. For that not-insignificant sum, he says, "you get almost limitless vulgarity." Trust us, he's paying it a compliment, based on the s**t-eating grin he wears throughout his stint behind the wheel. Then he drives the HSV Maloo R8 (above, top) - Holden's factory-tuned super-ute, which really is one of the coolest cars we'll never get here. As you'll see, it doesn't haul hay bales particularly well, but it can suck the windshield out of a new Audi S4. Finally, the Stig uses his right foot like a cattle prod with both cars in some split-screen action. It's all good.

After watching this clip, you'll probably want to send some thoughtfully-worded feedback to GM's "Tell Fritz" web thingamajig. You all know Fritz. He's that guy who spiked the return of the Holdens to the U.S. because he doesn't believe in rebadging. Yeah, we're beating a dead horse. We don't care. Watch the video and you won't either. Thanks to Bradley Wint for the heads-up.


Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S


Gallery: HSV Maloo R8


[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear flogs the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst and HSV Maloo

VIDEO: Top Gear flogs the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst and HSV Maloo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hsvhsv maloohsv maloo r8HsvMalooHsvMalooR8top gearTopGearvauxhall vxr8vauxhall vxr8 bathurstVauxhallVxr8VauxhallVxr8BathurstvxrSun, 02 Aug 2009 23:34:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19116887/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/02/video-top-gear-flogs-the-vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-and-hsv-maloo/19116887/article-detail.xml 19116887 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/tg_maloo_bathurst_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/tg_maloo_bathurst.jpg <![CDATA[Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst models rock out with 560 HP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-models-rock-out-with-560-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-models-rock-out-with-560-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-models-rock-out-with-560-hp/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click the Vauxhall Bathurst S for a high res gallery

The Vauxhall VXR8 (a.k.a. Pontiac G8 GXP) is no performance slouch by any measure. However, as we all know, there is no such thing as too much power or torque - there are only transmissions and tires that can't handle the truth. With that in mind, the kids at General Motors' British outpost, Vauxhall, have taken the VXR8 and bolted a big honking Walkinshaw supercharger to the normally demure 431 horsepower LS3 small block. The result is 560 hp and a bump in torque from the original 405 lb-ft to 527 lb-ft. They gave this beastie the name Bathurst S for the Australian city that plays host to the Bathurst 1000, scene of so many Commodore victories over the years.

Since drivers in the rest of the world seem to lack the anti-clutch pedal gene that has seemingly infected over 95 percent of the US driving populace, the 6-speed shift it yourself gearbox remains in place. The Bathurst S also gets an assortment of visual enhancements and an optional two-mode exhaust system that lets the whole world now how loud an engine can be. The $82,400 (£44,985) price tag makes this the least expensive 500 hp car currently available in the UK.

Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S


[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst models rock out with 560 HP

Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst models rock out with 560 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holden commodoreHoldenCommodorepontiac g8PontiacG8vauxhallvauxhall bathurst svauxhall vxr8VauxhallBathurstSVauxhallVxr8Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1456647/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/11/vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-models-rock-out-with-560-hp/1456647/article-detail.xml 1456647 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/bathurst-s-580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/bathurst-s-580.jpg <![CDATA[Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/vauxhall-vxr8-gets-ls3-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/vauxhall-vxr8-gets-ls3-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/vauxhall-vxr8-gets-ls3-v8/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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]

Continue reading Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8

Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 May 2008 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ls3vauxhallvauxhall vxr8VauxhallVxr8vxr8Tue, 06 May 2008 12:35:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1187653/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/05/06/vauxhall-vxr8-gets-ls3-v8/1187653/article-detail.xml 1187653 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/vxr8_newhi012_450-op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/vxr8_newhi012_450-op.jpg <![CDATA[Chevrolet Special Vehicles debuts in Middle East with the CR8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/02/chevrolet-special-vehicles-debuts-in-middle-east-with-the-cr8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/02/chevrolet-special-vehicles-debuts-in-middle-east-with-the-cr8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/02/chevrolet-special-vehicles-debuts-in-middle-east-with-the-cr8/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click image for a gallery of the CSV CR8

The Middle East is a key export market for GM's Holden division, as LHD versions of the Commodore, Caprice, and Statesman sedans are sold there under the Chevrolet Lumina and Caprice nameplates. Until now, the highest-performance vehicle exported to the region was the Lumina SS, a rebadged Commodore SS. Holden's performance arm, HSV, remained exclusive to Australia/New Zealand and the UK market, where the HSV Clubsport R8 is sold as the slightly more powerful Vauxhall VXR8.

That's now changed, with Holden and HSV getting together to send the heavy performance artillery to the Middle East. HSV essentially spins off CSV, Chevrolet Special Vehicles, which will market HSV exports in the region. The first vehicle is the CSV CR8, again a rebadged version of the HSV Clubsport R8, but this time sporting left-hand-drive. The placement of the steering wheel and the Bowtie badging are essentially the extent of the changes. The car, like its HSV and VXR counterparts, has a 6.0L LS2 underhood. In this guise, it's dishing out 411 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque.

So, why do we care about this? Well, until now, HSV cars were only sold in RHD markets. The appearance of the high-performance HSV Clubsport R8 / CSV CR8 in a LHD configuration is most welcome, as we feel that it's the clearest signal yet that the widely-expected Pontiac G8 GXP is another step closer to reality. That's reason to be excited, don't you think?

[Source: GM]

Gallery: CSV CR8

Continue reading Chevrolet Special Vehicles debuts in Middle East with the CR8

Chevrolet Special Vehicles debuts in Middle East with the CR8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevrolet special vehiclesChevroletSpecialVehiclesCR8csvCSV CR8CsvCr8HSVHSV Clubsport R8HsvClubsportR8Vauxhall VXR8VauxhallVxr8Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1027720/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/11/02/chevrolet-special-vehicles-debuts-in-middle-east-with-the-cr8/1027720/article-detail.xml 1027720 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/11/csvcr8_lo003_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/11/csvcr8_lo003.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Fifth Gear takes on the Vauxhall VXR8 (aka the Pontiac G8)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear crew aren't the only car show on British television. In fact Top Gear was canceled by the BBC and the producers relaunched it as Fifth Gear before the Beeb eventually revived Top Gear as well. Fifth Gear is still around and they recently got a chance to spend some quality time on a race track with the Vauxhall VXR8.

If that car looks familiar, it's because we saw a lower-end version sporting a Pontiac grille at the Chicago Auto Show as the new G8. Fifth Gear spent a lot of time getting seriously sideways in the 414hp VXR8 and even got to do a top speed run. For a preview of what G8 buyers can expect whenever GM gets around to doing the all-but-inevitable GXP version, check out the video after the jump.

[Sources: YouTube, Fifth Gear]

Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8

Continue reading VIDEO: Fifth Gear takes on the Vauxhall VXR8 (aka the Pontiac G8)

VIDEO: Fifth Gear takes on the Vauxhall VXR8 (aka the Pontiac G8) originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fifth gearFifthGearpontiac g8PontiacG8vauxhall vxr8VauxhallVxr8Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/985078/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/985078/article-detail.xml 985078 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/vauxhall-vxr8_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/vauxhall-vxr8.jpg -1 2