What's outside today 44 - Vauxhall VXR8

Tear-stained hankies today when the man from Vauxhall came to take this one away - it's brilliant.


The VXR8 is the successor to the much-loved Vauxhall Monaro, and like the Monaro, it's really an Australian Holden, in this case the sportiest version of the latest Commodore.


This car is aimed at BMW's M cars, Mercedes AMG models, the RS Audis and the 'R' Jaguars but it's a lot cheaper and a lot less intimidating - you can just get in and drive the thing.


Much of the VXR8's appeal derives from this, its 6.0 litre Corvette-derived V8 engine; you might expect this to be a slow-revving, lazy affair, but it's actually quite zingy. The same goes for the automatic transmission fitted to our test car which was a quick-shifting six speeder, rather than a slushy, slurry four-speeder of the sort usually associated with US cars.


I haven't driven any of the less powerful Australian Commodores, but the VXR8 is so good, I wonder whether Vauxhall has considered bringing these cars over as a delayed replacement for the Senators and Omegas that were so popular with users such as the police.

VXR8 update

Tried to get a booking for the Vauxhall VXR8 (Holden Monaro successor) this week - nothing doing at the moment, unfortunately! Not surprising, though, given that this must be the car everyone wants to get their hands on this summer.

Vauxhall VXR8 - one I didn't drive!

The exciting new Vauxhall VXR8 at SMMT test day at Millbrook - unfortunately only as a static display. This is a Holden really, and the nearest thing there is to a successor to the marvellous Monaro.


The lady who does the press car bookings at Vauxhall is going to be very popular all summer as everyone tries to get their hands on this one. I'd better join the queue.

What's outside today 4 - Vauxhall Corsa VXR and Vectra VXR

Today, a nice pair of Vauxhalls. Of course, it might have been more interesting to show a picture of, say, a pair of Bristols, but given that Bristol is a small manufacturer, I think it's quite difficult to get even a single test car out of them, let alone two at the same time.

Anyway, these aren't just any old Vauxhalls - they are the top-of-the range sporty VXR versions of the Corsa and the Vectra. Which reminds me that the last VXR-badged Vauxhall we had on the Verdict was the much-missed muscley Monaro, although that was really a Holden. Hoping for an opportunity to try its successor, the four-door VXR8, soon. I notice this had a rave review in Autocar this week, which has only whetted my appetite further.

A busy weekend ahead - off to Berkshire on Saturday with the Corsa and then the northwest with the Vectra on Sunday.