Fans of Vauxhall’s VXR8 will be pleased to hear the unleashed model hits specialist UK dealers in time for the new 11-plate registration this March.

As before, the flagship of the Vauxhall range is based on the equivalent Holden model (Holden is Australia’s equivalent of Vauxhall). The latest revisions are taken from the new Holden E3 GTS, with the price rising to £49,500. This value is enhanced with the VXR8 covered by Vauxhall’s new 100,000 miles ‘Lifetime Warranty’.

Offered with a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, Vauxhall’s flagship will retain its 6.2-litre LS3 V8 power. Producing 425bhp with 406lb ft, there’s plenty of muscle pounding the VXR8 to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds and a governed top speed of 155mph. Its spec sheet will now include the more advanced Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) suspension technology, which adapts to road conditions and driver inputs and makes alterations up to 1000 times a second, and boasts a launch control system.

The revised super-saloon features heavily modified styling front and rear thanks to a new grille, glitzy LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights and a rear spoiler. On the inside there’s an all new interior with special HSV Performance seats, the cabin gets full leather trim and iPod and Bluetooth phone support are all offered as standard.

The new Enhanced Driver Interface – which is displayed on a 5in screen – connects with the on-board computer, providing hard core drivers with data such as G-force, power and torque, lap times and the degree to which the driver is drifting. The data can then be downloaded using Vauxhall’s MOTEC software for further analysis. Read the rest of this entry »