VXR

VXR
Product type Automotive industry
Owner Vauxhall
Country United Kingdom
Introduced 2003 (VX Racing)
2004 (VXR)
Related brands VX Racing
Markets United Kingdom
Australia (2006-09)
Website vxr.co.uk

VXR is the branding for the high-performance trim specification, used since 2004 for models in many of Vauxhall's car range in the United Kingdom.

Holden also uses the VXR badge for some of its high-performance cars such as the Astra VXR and Insignia VXR.

European-sourced VXR models are produced and developed by Opel Performance Center, a division of Opel. The VXR8 is produced and developed by Holden of Australia's HSV division. 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.

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.[1] In 2005 the VXR range included the Astra VXR and subsequently Zafira, Vectra, Corsa, Insignia and Meriva versions.

It was launched following discussions with the Directors (K Grice, P Marshall and N Reed) and several Regional Organisers of the Vauxhall Sports Car Club - at the time the official club for owners and enthusiasts of Vauxhall performance models[2] to replace the GSi branding (which itself replaced the GTE label) which was previously used on top-end high-performance models.

Shortly after the introduction of the VXR brand, a dedicated website and discussion forum VXRonline was set up by the Directors of the Vauxhall Sports Car Club to provide technical assistance, advice, meetings and events for all owners and enthusiasts of the VXR models.

Current VXR models

Corsa VXR

The Corsa VXR Nurburgring Edition released in 2011 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

Insignia VXR

VXR8 Bathurst S The Bathurst S version of the VXR8 became the most powerful ever Vauxhall to be produced when it was launched in 2009.[3]

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 65 vehicles. It was powered by a four-cylinder 2.0i turbo 16v engine217 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 on later build numbers. 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 from 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 launched 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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Monaro VXR: new, fast and aussie". Autocar. 4 May 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  2. ↑ "VXR LAUNCHES VAUXHALL INTO NEW PERFORMANCE TERRITORY". Vauxhall. 4 May 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  3. ↑ "Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S". Autocar. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Vauxhall VXR220". Evo. July 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  5. ↑ Channel 4: Driven
  6. ↑ "Vauxhall Monaro VXR 6.0 review". Autocar. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "240bhp Astra VXR arrives June". Autocar. 31 January 2005. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Vauxhall Zafira VXR". Evo. December 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Fraser, Brett (December 2005). "Vauxhall Vectra VXR". Evo. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  10. ↑ Meaden, Richard (March 2007). "Vauxhall Vectra VXR". Evo. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "Vauxhall Meriva VXR review". Autocar. 9 February 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2012.

External links

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