Family car maker Vauxhall today unveiled its fastest ever model with an amazing saloon that is more powerful – than a Ferrari.
The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is powered by a 6.2-litre, supercharged V8 engine developing an enormous 576bhp.
This is slightly more than the Ferrari 458 Italia and ten times as powerful as an entry-level Vauxhall Corsa.
Vauxhall claims the four-door saloon will be able to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds and go onto an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.
Its headline figures make it the quickest and most powerful car to ever wear the famous Vauxhall badge and, at £54,999, it is also one of the most expensive.
But despite the eye-watering price-tag, Vauxhall says it is the cheapest way to join the 500bhp club.
It is based on a model built by Vauxhall’s Australian sister company Holden and is being lined up as a cheaper alternative to the £73,000 BMW M5, £85,000 Mercedes E63 AMG and £80,000 Jaguar XFR-S.
The new VXR8 GTS will make its debut at the Performance Car Show alongside Autosport International, which takes place at the NEC next month.
Stuart Harris, head of Vauxhall’s Carline Brand, said: “The Performance Car Show and Autosport International is an ideal location for us to take the wraps off the UK’s first new VXR8 GTS.
“While this is unashamedly one of the most powerful road cars you can buy in the UK, the GTS was developed by people who have a wealth of experience in motorsport, so putting it in front of thousands of car racing enthusiasts is a no-brainer for Vauxhall.”
The VXR8 GTS is a staggering 150bhp more powerful than the car it replaces, with the 0-62mph acceleration 0.7 seconds quicker.
Top speed is electronically limited and while Vauxhall wouldn’t confirm what it would be capable of, it should be in excess of 180mph with the limiter removed.
To cater with the added power, engineers fitted the VXR8 GTS with a sophisticated ‘brake torque vectoring system’ which helps reduce understeer when travelling at high speed.
The GTS also has the latest generation Magnetic Ride Control, which lets the driver choose whether they want to be in ‘touring’, ‘sport’ or ‘track’ model.
It also gets a set of 20-inch alloy wheels, with stopping power courtesy of massive disc brakes.
Ian France, Performance Car Show Director, said: “In an Ashes year, it’s quite rare to see England and Australia working together, but the result of this collaboration in the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is amazing.”
