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Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R: 15 Aussie HSV GTSRs rebadged for UK

Strewth! It turns out 15 of our HSV GTSR supercharged specials are going to the Poms, badged as Vauxhalls.


Dubbed the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R, the 435kW/740Nm supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8-powered HSV GTSR will not only rock their limey socks off, it’ll also become the most-powerful car Vauxhall has ever sold in the company’s 114-year history.

As you’d expect, the Brits’ Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R scores the same unique front and rear bumpers as our HSV (pictured below), along with a limited-slip rear differential, torque vectoring, monster six-piston brakes, and all-new 20-inch forged alloy wheels (measuring nine-inches-wide at the front and ten-inches-wide at the back).

That said, according to a release from Vauxhall Motors, UK-specification cars also include carbon-fibre fender vents, a rear spoiler with a carbon-fibre upper plane, and Alcantara and leather seat trim with an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, all as standard – components either optional on our GTSR, or strictly reserved for the full-tilt 474kW/815Nm LS9-powered HSV GTSR W1 here in Oz.

Although us Aussies are expecting around 1300 GTSR sedans to roll out of HSV’s Clayton factory (and 670 GTSR Maloos), a meagre 15 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-Rs are to hit the UK, with cars attached to an “on-the-road price” of £74,500 ($129,000). That’s around $19,500 more than the $109,490 list price of our GTSR. Do we still reckon it’s worth it though? My oath!

For those who don’t know, Vauxhall is a sister brand to GM’s Holden marque, and it's been importing various variants of the VXR8 into the UK since 2007. Over there, cars are also covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty.

In a big win for Australia, just to upset the locals, the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R will make a special appearance at this year’s 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 29-July 2), with the Aussie muscle car set to be driven up Goodwood’s famed hill climb twice a day. Bloody ripper!

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