Last hurrah for Vauxhall VXR8 as final edition breaks cover at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Production of sister company Holden’s Commodore model, on which the GTS-R is based, comes to an end in Australia this October, when the manufacturing plant closes so Vauxhall is set to mark the occasion with a special 'last-of-line' edition at Goodwood.
Vauxhall has been importing the VXR8 in various forms since 2007, and sells the car through selected UK dealerships in its network. Known as the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R, the new model is powered by an evolution of the current GTS’s supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 595PS (up from 576PS) and 740Nm of torque, making it Vauxhall’s most powerful car in the company’s 114-year history.
As befits its last-of-line status, the GTS-R is no ordinary VXR8 – and in this form it’s also exclusive to the UK. Sending drive via a limited slip differential to the rear wheels, the GTS-R retains the previous GTS’s torque vectoring system, but adds an upgraded braking system with six-piston, monoblock calipers and 410mm discs up front. In addition, the GTS-R runs on all-new 20-inch forged alloy rims (ten-inch width at the rear, 9-inch at the front).
Visually, the GTS-R has a fresh face, with a new front fascia, splitter, wings and carbon fibre vents, while at the rear there’s a new-look diffuser, spoiler (with carbon fibre upper), lower panel and quad exhaust outlets with diamond-shaped exhaust tips. Inside, the diamond theme continues in the Alcantara and leather seat trim, with the steering wheel and gear-lever also trimmed in Alcantara.
The current supercharged LSA engine has been re-mapped and is fitted with a high-flow air filter to achieve its hike in power.
Just 15 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R models will come to the UK, with an on-the-road price of £74,500. The Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from June 29 - July 2.