Vauxhall Dives Into GM Product Bin and Comes Up with 576-Horsepower VXR8 GTS Sedan

Concerned that U.K. residents didn't have enough 500-plus horsepower sedans to choose from, GM's Vauxhall brand today began taking orders for the 576-hp, LSA-powered VXR8 GTS.  Based on the same Aussie-market Holden HSV GEN-F GTS as the forthcoming 2014 Chevrolet SS sedan, Vauxhall, GM's U.K. subsidiary, took a turn at raiding the global product roster and came up with a monster-motored four-door to call their own. The "on-the-road" price for all this bi-continental goodness is £54,999, or about $86,000 in U.S. currency. By dropping the same supercharged, 6.2-liter LSA V-8 that powers the Camaro ZL-1 behind the VXR8's new twin-nostril fascia, Vauxhall's latest VXR8 now becomes the "least expensive membership in the 500-horsepower club."  With the aforementioned 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque at hand, the 2014 VXR8 GTS improves on the outgoing LS3-powered VXR8′s numbers by 150 and 140, respectively. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, a six-speed automatic is optional. And although performance figures for the new version haven't been released yet, Vauxhall would like to point out that the previous VXR8 achieved a 0–60-mph time of 4.9 seconds and arrived at the limited top speed of 155 mph rather easily. In addition to the new fascia—which was created in part to supply enough air to cool the LSA V-8—the VXR8 GTS gets distinctive LED taillamps, quad exhaust outlets finished in shadow chrome, as well as a bespoke spoiler to help differentiate it from mere mortal VXR8s. Forged-aluminum six-piston calipers clamp two-piece rotors. The GTS rolls on 20-inch "Blade" forged-aluminum wheels wearing 255/35 (front) and 275/35 (rear) tires. Instrumented Test: 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV 2009 Vauxhall Insignia Wagon Driven Instrumented Test: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible Manual Standard in the VXR8 GTS are new, eight-way power adjustable and heated VXR performance seats covered in Onyx leather. An upgraded instrument panel with new cluster gauges, a revised center console, and new door trim help keep up appearances inside. The majority of performance and safety systems and associated hardware were plucked directly from GM's current A-list: brake torque vectoring and stability control, Magnetic Ride Control, traction control, launch control (manual-transmission models only), park assist, blind-zone alert, forward-collision alert, and a head-up display. Unlike Ford, which recently announced the closing of its Australian manufacturing facilities, GM's Holden presence should be safe as long as it continues to inspire and assemble cars like the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS and the new Chevy SS. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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