The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R can lay claim to being its maker's most powerful road model as well as its last to use a V8 engine.
The UK-version of Holden's swansong Commodore, which goes out of production this October, has been launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It's powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8 that's received hardware and software upgrades to produce 587bhp and 546lb ft of torque.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential with torque vectoring and enables a 0-60mph time of 4.2sec. Top speed is electronically limited at 155mph. Braking is handled by 410mm (front) and 372mm (rear) discs that work with six and four-piston callipers respectively. Vauxhall's right-hand-drive super saloon also gets new 20in alloy wheels.
The GTS-R is marked by revised front-end styling, a splitter, carbonfibre vents and a new diffuser and spoiler, while Alcantara trim has been added to the interior.
The model is on sale now, with just 15 to be built, priced from £74,500. Eleven have already been sold. First UK deliveries are due before the end of 2017, with the rest expected in the first quarter of 2018.
This will mark the close of a 10-year story for the VXR8, which began when it replaced the two-door Vauxhall Monaro in 2007. The GTS-R is predicted to remain the last V8-engined Vauxhall model, because the brand's new owner, the PSA Group, will likely focus on smaller-capacity and larger-volume vehicles.
As such, a VXR8 successor under PSA would be more likely to use a highly-tuned four-cylinder engine like that of the Peugeot RCZ R, although a high-performance V6 can’t be ruled out.
Vauxhall is also still selling the Maloo LSA, the GTS-R's closely-related ute variant, with three of the five allocations of that car still available.
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Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R
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