VXR

VXR is the branding for the high-performance trim specification, for models in many of Vauxhall's car range in the United Kingdom. It was launched in 2004^[1] to replace the GSi branding (which itself replaced the GTE label) which was previously used on top-end high-performance models. The VXR badge is not used on any other General Motors vehicles apart from 2006-2009 when it was used in Australia when used on the HSV VXR, a version of the Vauxhall Astra.

VXR models are produced and developed by Opel Performance Center, a subsidiary of Opel and Holden Special Vehicles, the performance vehicle partner of Holden. The VXR brand is closely linked to VX Racing, Vauxhalls British Touring Car Championship team, and the VXR versions of the cars are race track-styled models, with high performance capabilities.

[edit] History

The VX Racing name was first used in 2003 instead of Vauxhall Motorsport, taking part in the BTCC with cars prepared by Triple 8 Race Engineering.

The VXR badge was first launched in the summer of 2004 at the British Motor Show with enhanced consumer versions of the Monaro and VX220.^[2] In 2005 the VXR range included the Astra VXR and subsequently Zafira, Vectra, Corsa, Insignia and Meriva versions.

[edit] Current VXR models

Corsa VXR

• Launched mid-April 2007
• Price of £18,195
• 1.6i Turbo 16v engine A16LER (Z16LER <2010)
• 189 brake horsepower (141 kW)
• Large front air intakes with honeycomb grilles, bulging wheel-arches and ground hugging front spoiler
• Rear venturi^{[disambiguation needed]}-style bumper
• Central trapezoidal exhaust
• 0-62 mph (100 km/h) 6.8secs
• Maximum speed 140 mph (230 km/h)
• 17" alloys (optional 18")
• ESP stability control system
• Traction Control
• Heavily bolstered Recaro bucket seats and VXR badging
• MP3-compatible sound system
• 5 second Torque Overboost when fully depressing accelerator pedal

The Corsa VXR Nurburgring Edition released in 2011^[3] features a reworked version of the VXR's 1.6-litre turbo engine as well as a sports exhaust and a modified turbocharger system.

Astra GTC VXR

• Only available in 3 door
• £26,995 (without options)
• 2.0 litre 4 cyl turbo
• 280 brake horsepower (209 kW)
• 19" alloys or 20" forged alloys
• 0-62 mph (100 km/h) 5.9secs
• 6-speed Manual Transmission
• Recaro front sport seats
• Unique VXR gear knob, alloy pedals and still plates.
• Flat-bottom VXR sports steering wheel
• Maximum Speed: 155 mph (249 km/h) (electronically limited)
• Drexler limited slip differential
• Brembo brakes
• electro-hydraulic power steering

Insignia VXR

• Available in the styles of the 4-Door Saloon, 5-Door Liftback, and 5-Door Sports Tourer.
• Base price ~£32,290 (Liftback) ~£32,290 (Saloon) and £33,690 (Sports Tourer)
• 2.8 V6 Turbo
• 325 brake horsepower (242 kW)
• 20" Forged 7 spoke alloy wheels
• 0-62 mph (100 km/h) 5.6secs
• 6-speed Manual or auto Transmission.
• Recaro front sport seats.
• Unique VXR gear knob, alloy pedals and still plates.
• Flat-bottom VXR sports steering wheel
• CD 500 satellite navigation system
• Maximum Speed: 155 mph (249 km/h) (electronically limited) 170 mph (270 km/h) (without limiter, i.e. with 'Unlimited' option)

VXR8 Bathurst S (New 4-door Monaro VXR replacement (available with Supercharger kit (costing £7000) as of 9/7/08))

• Base price ~£35,000 (Supercharged version £42000)
• 6.0 litres (366 cu in) V8 or 6.2 litres (378 cu in) V8 in models after 2008
• 565 bhp (421 kW)
• 0 - 60 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds (manual version)
• Electrically adjustable leather-covered sports front seats
• Adjustable driver and front passenger seat lumber support
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Six-disc in-dash CD player. MP3-compatible
• Eleven speakers including sub-woofers
• Leather-covered sports steering wheel
• Cruise control
• 21" inch hand-smithed g6 twin-spoke alloy wheels
• Aluminium VXR badged pedals
• Bluetooth
• Maximum Speed:201 mph (323 km/h)

[edit] Former VXR models

VXR220 (2004-05)

The VXR220 was a limited edition version of the Lotus Elise based Vauxhall VX220 with a small production run of 60 vehicles. It was powered by a four-cylinder 2.0i turbo 16v engine producing 217 bhp (162 kW) @ 6300 rpm and torque of 210 lb·ft (285 N·m) @ 4800 rpm.^[4] It could accelerate 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed 149 mph (240 km/h).^[5]

The VXR220 was fitted with five-spoke Speedline satin-black alloy wheels with 195/50R16 Yokohama A048R LTS tyres at the front and 225/45R17 Yokohama A048R LTS tyres at the back and uprated brakes with 288 mm discs.

Monaro VXR (2005-07)

Vauxhall Monaro VXR at the 2006 British International Motor Show

The Monaro VXR was a rebadged HSV GTO^[6] with a 6-litre V8 engine producing 398 bhp (297 kW) @ 6000 rpm and torque of 391 lb·ft (530 N·m). It could accelerate 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 170 mph (270 km/h).

The Monaro featured a different grille, wide lower air intake and bonnet scoops, side sills with 'shark gills' and unique 19-inch (480 mm) alloy wheels and VXR branded brake calipers. It was replaced by the four-door VXR8, also from Holden.

Astra VXR (2005-11)

The original hot hatch Astra VXR was announced in January 2005 and went on sale in the summer of 2005.^[7] Based on the Vauxhall Astra Mark 5, it was fitted with a 2.0i turbo 16V engine (Z20LEH) producing 236 bhp (176 kW). It could accelerate 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.2 seconds and reach a maximum speed 152 mph (245 km/h). Externally it was different to the standard Astra with a central trapezoidal rear exhaust, 18" six-spoke alloy wheels with 225/40R18 tyres (optional 19" 10-spoke wheels), lowered and uprated suspension and VXR front fog lamps and other external styling including spoiler.

Zafira VXR (2005-10)

The seven-seat Zafira VXR compact MPV was lanched at the end of 2005, and sharing the same turbocharged 2.0 4-cylinder engine of the Astra VXR,^[8] producing 237 bhp (177 kW; 240 PS). It could accelerate 0-62 mph (100 km/h) 7.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 144 mph (232 km/h). It could be identified by the VXR bodykit, twin trapezoidal rear exhausts and 18" alloy wheels. It was claimed as the fastest MPV in production

Vectra VXR (2005–09)

The Vectra VXR was available in both hatchback and estate versions, fitted with 2.8i 24v V6 turbo engine and was based on the Opel Vectra OPC. Originally launched in December 2005, it produced 252 bhp (188 kW; 255 PS)^[9] and after the 2007 facelift the output increased to 276 bhp (206 kW; 280 PS). This post 2007 version could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.1 seconds for the hatchback, 6.3 seconds for the estate, and had a claimed maximum speed of 161 mph (260 km/h) (hatchback),^[10] 158 mph (250 km/h) (estate).

The Vectra was equipped with 18" five-spoke alloy wheels with 225/45R18 tyres (optional 19" 10-spoke wheels) and upgraded brakes (345 mm discs on front wheels, 292 mm on rear wheels). It was replaced by the Insignia VXR.

Meriva VXR (2006-09)

The Meriva VXR was an unusual sporting version of the Vauxhall Meriva mini MPV. FItted with a 1.6 turbo 16V engine producing 178 bhp (133 kW; 180 PS), it could reach a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h) and accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.9 Seconds.^[11] It was equipped with 17" six-spoke alloy wheels and brakes of 308 mm front discs, 264 mm rear discs.

[edit] See also

• Irmscher
• Steinmetz Opel Tuning

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: VXR-vehicles

• Vauxhall-VXR UK
• VXR Parts
• VXR's channel on YouTube

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