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

Noah Joseph — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Vauxhall, UK

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

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2011 Vauxhall VXR8 is all we really want for the holidays

Noah Joseph — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Vauxhall, UK

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.

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Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Vauxhall, UK

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.

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Brits get supercharger option for Vauxhall VXR8

Alex Nunez — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Vauxhall

Click image for a gallery of the VXR8

GM loves to tease its American customers. While we patiently await the arrival of the Pontiac G8 GT, in Australia, multiple high-performance flavors of the VE Commodore its based on are available from HSV. In the UK, one of those cars, the HSV Clubsport R8, is offered as the Vauxhall VXR8.

With 412 horsepower (417 PS) and 405 lb-ft of torque on tap, one would think that the rebadged HSV would be sufficiently awesome for our former colonial overlords. One would also be incorrect. Carscoop reports the Brits will be offered a supercharger option that elevates power to a staggering 540 horses and adds 30-percent more torque (figure a new rating of 526 lb-ft or so). The non-supercharged VXR8 does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, so you can expect the blown sedan to shave a few more tenths off that number while making expensive tires cry for their mothers. The cost of the kit is £6,995.

Please, General: Pontiac G8 GXP Supercharged, okay?

[Source: Carscoop]

Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8

Brits get supercharger option for Vauxhall VXR8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Vauxhall VXR8 to prowl UK roads

Alex Nunez — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:19:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe

click above image for hi-res photo gallery of the VXR8

This is the UK's new Vauxhall VXR8, which also happens to be Australia's HSV Clubsport R8 (ignore that "based-on" nonsense....this is as straight a rebadge as you'll ever see). Both are the spawn of the Holden VE Commodore as presented after the speed freaks at HSV have had their way with it.

In this case, "having their way" means 420 horsepower, 400+ lbs of torque, and a sub-5-second run to 60mph. The source of the enhanced juice is GM's muscled-up 6.0L V8, which is mated to a six-speed manual as standard equipment. A 6-speed automatic is available on the option sheet as well.

Big brakes, a new bodykit with unique front and rear fascias, and new 20" wheels help maximize the badassedness. All in favor of this car as the Pontiac G8 GXP say, "Aye!"

Let the General know in the comments.

[Source: Vauxhall]
Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8
Continue reading Vauxhall VXR8 to prowl UK roads
Vauxhall VXR8 to prowl UK roads originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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