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UK getting HSV based Vauxhall VXR8

UK getting HSV based Vauxhall VXR8

Viknesh Vijayenthiran February 26th, 2007 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author February 26th, 2007
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December 31st, 1969 We all know that General Motors plans to sell the Australian built Holden Commodore sedan as a rebadged Pontiac in the US, but what we didn’t know is that its UK division, Vauxhall, will be offering the high-performance HSV Clubsport R8 variant as its new VRX8. HSV is an acronym for Holden Special Vehicles, a tuning company that specialises in modifying V8 Commodore sedans, and now its latest E-series Clubsport will be hitting showrooms in the UK. The new model features the same 6.0L LS2 V8 engine shared with the Corvette, developing a very healthy 420hp and 550Nm of torque. Expect the 0-100km/h sprint to take just 4.9 seconds for the conventional six-speed manual. A performance bargain at just £34,995. For an extra £1,400, customers can opt for a new six-speed automatic with manual mode that’s just half a second slower to reach 100km/h than the manual. Huge 365mm front disc brakes will slow the big saloon down from 100km/h to a standstill faster than a Lamborghini Murcielago or BMW M5. Options include sat-nav and 20inch alloys. Although the new VXR8 is expected to be based on the Clubsport R8 model, there are rumors that the more potent GTS version equipped with GM’s magnetic ride control suspension system and a possible supercharged version may be hitting the streets.
UK getting HSV based Vauxhall VXR8

UK getting HSV based Vauxhall VXR8

Enlarge Photo

We all know that General Motors plans to sell the Australian built Holden Commodore sedan as a rebadged Pontiac in the US, but what we didn’t know is that its UK division, Vauxhall, will be offering the high-performance HSV Clubsport R8 variant as its new VRX8. HSV is an acronym for Holden Special Vehicles, a tuning company that specialises in modifying V8 Commodore sedans, and now its latest E-series Clubsport will be hitting showrooms in the UK.

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52330_c_vau.jpg

Enlarge Photo
The new model features the same 6.0L LS2 V8 engine shared with the Corvette, developing a very healthy 420hp and 550Nm of torque. Expect the 0-100km/h sprint to take just 4.9 seconds for the conventional six-speed manual. A performance bargain at just £34,995. For an extra £1,400, customers can opt for a new six-speed automatic with manual mode that’s just half a second slower to reach 100km/h than the manual. Huge 365mm front disc brakes will slow the big saloon down from 100km/h to a standstill faster than a Lamborghini Murcielago or BMW M5. Options include sat-nav and 20inch alloys.

Although the new VXR8 is expected to be based on the Clubsport R8 model, there are rumors that the more potent GTS version equipped with GM’s magnetic ride control suspension system and a possible supercharged version may be hitting the streets.

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52330_b_vau.jpg

Enlarge Photo
52330vau.jpg

52330vau.jpg

Enlarge Photo

Tags: General Motors

Posted in: News, Sedans


Comments (6 total)

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  1. By Marijo #1, Posted: 2/26/2007

    Hm, they get 620 hp from the 6.0 engine, and BMW produce the same power from the 4.0 L (in the new M3). European engeiners are way better...

  2. By HH #2, Posted: 2/26/2007

    Marijo, what an ill informed comment

  3. By matt hayward #3, Posted: 2/28/2007

    More potent? Meh, the clubbie, senator and GTS are all rated at 307 KW in Australia. Only differences are senator has a luxury slant and the GTS the fancy suspension.

    But somehow holdens always find themselves with a supercharger over there don't they! I guess it's because it already sticks out like a dog's whatsits in the UK, so why not go all the way . . . but here they blend in a bit more!

    John the Pontiac is going to have a V6, but as far as the Clubsport goes, it's a V8 and they all have leather, don't worry about that!

  4. By Gordon #4, Posted: 3/19/2007

    Over the last 5 years the German car quality has hit rock bottom
    I am in the process of purchasing a HSV R8 after having a Mercedes C350 then Trading up to a E350.
    The C350 in less than 4 months had the Steering Pump the steering Rack replaced, the gearbox recoded several times and the Valve Bank replace. After all this they still could fix the problems.
    We Upgraded to an E350 with a reasonable replacement price as it was German Made not South African. For over 12 Months ownership of this vehicle had this car until left it at dealer and requested clear car for what we owed. The following what was required prior to returning.
    Gear Box Valve Bank replaced
    Gearbox recoded several times
    Gearbox stripped and checked
    Lefthand control unit replaced
    Air conditioning Dash control unit replaced
    Air Conditioning Failed
    Car Put on truck as gearbox smoking and engineer failure light on.
    During this period had loan car for 3.5 months.
    After discussing this with several person that own these types of vehicles this is not uncommon.
    Therefore it just goes to proved twice the price twice the problem.
    I have exact dates of all these problems and emails to back all these statements.
    They also advised by email they would upgrade car at $8K but when came to the crunch it was $23K.

    Also be aware that all these details were sent to motor magazines and road services and no one wants to comment, but see how many will comment if it was a Ford or Holden . !!! so come on HSV !!!!

  5. By admin #5, Posted: 3/19/2007

    Mercedes quality has been slipshod for the last 10 or more years and despite their promises of improvement, we've yet to see any real gains.

    It also doesn't help that many buyers complain about poor service.

  6. By josh #6, Posted: 8/20/2007

    mmmm.....you guys are missing out...personally i think holden should export holden's calais and caprice models also, or the equivalent (although pricier) HSV models the senator and grange, to fill the void in vauxhall's line up....both are classier commodore models, although the regular commodores aren't bad at all!!!

    All of those models are powerful cars (grange and senator share same engine) but with the focus on luxury, and they are really nice inside!!!! (especially when price is considered) They don't skimp on anything a BMW or Benz would offer. Maybe even offer the V6 and models of the calais and caprice.

    The ute and wagon (estate) should be good things also.

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