Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
It's a race against time, but Vauxhall is putting the finishing touches to its new VXR performance line-up in readiness for this month's British Motor Show. And while the brand will be unveiled with the help of souped-up versions of the Monaro and VX220, we've got even bigger news about where the line-up is heading.
Although it won't be on display at the show, we have learned an Astra VXR is in development. Based on the as-yet-unseen three-door Astra, it will be offered in two forms: a toned-down 150mph performance model (as in the magazine's pictures) and a wild, bespoilered version, complete with 19-inch alloys, mesh grille inserts and a huge airdam at the front.
Both cars will get a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, based on that in the current Astra GSi. Power will be upped to around 235bhp and fed through the front wheels, while a six-speed manual gearbox will be included as standard.
The Astra chassis is being fine-tuned by the Opel Performance Centre (OPC) at Vauxhall parent firm GM's European headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany. Engineers suggest that it will be the most dynamically capable Luton hatchback ever, and could eventually replace the Coupé as the company's racer in the British Touring Car Championship.
Meanwhile, the maker has revealed more details about its first two VXR models, which will be used to launch the brand at the Birmingham event - and we have the first pictures of both! The flagship will be a 380bhp version of the 5.7-litre V8 Monaro, identifiable from lesser models by its lower front bumper, side skirts and 19-inch wheels.
Other tweaks include stiffer sports suspension and larger-diameter brake discs to rein in the extra power. Inside, it gets Alcantara sports seats and extra dials giving voltage and oil pressure readouts. Performance and price details have yet to be released, but it's believed the Monaro VXR will cover 0-60mph in less than five seconds and cost £35,595 when it arrives in the summer.
The second model will be a modified lightweight version of the VX220. Expected to cost about £30,000, the VXR220 will come with lowered suspension, even stiffer handling and uprated brakes. It will be identifiable by its matt black detailing. The grille, bonnet vents, windscreen surround, mirrors and rear spoiler will all be finished in the colour.
The unique appearance will be further enhanced by 19-inch black Speedline alloys. And the racing look will continue inside, with Alcantara bucket seats, harness-style seatbelts, carbon fibre trim and black anodised aluminium door and floor panels. While the standard model develops 200bhp from its 2.0-litre turbo, company tuning experts say the VXR220 will boast in excess of 220bhp, and do 0-60mph in around four seconds. There will also be a selection of VXR bodykits for other Vauxhalls available at dealers
|
vibrio
Banned
Registered: 28th Feb 01
Location: POAH
User status: Offline
|
FPMSL @ the gay paint colour
VXR the homo brand of performance cars from Vauxhall 
|
Tom
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
User status: Offline
|
Beasts  I'd love the monaro think they're well nice..altho those wheels look daft on the vxr one..
|
Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
I still think the monaro should have over 400bhp for a car of its size (not that im disputing the standard 5 secoudn dash to 60 and 160mph+ top end )
No rossinder, VXR has been brought about due to the sucess of Vauxhall in motor racing.
Fiat are doing well, oh, no good enough cars to enter 
|
Fad
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by vibrio
FPMSL @ the gay paint colour
VXR the homo brand of performance cars from Vauxhall
dotn see Fiat making any so called "perfromance cars" jst luke warm bags of shite like the multipla
|
Fad
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
ah but that y fiat ar ethe fmaily car part they odnt need a performance range thas wot alfa romeo, ferrari and maserati are for
ant dont know whats happening to you recently but u must have a few keys missing on your keyboard your typing absoloute bollocks
and as for alfa Romeo oh deaaar they can only be described as part time performance cars when they aint broken
|
Ojc
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
User status: Offline
|
Vauxhall are on to a winner with this.
Ford are falling behind with there warm hatches.
Honda, well they make lawn mowers
Citroen - 2CV
Peugeot - Plastic panels 
Renault - French
|
Tom
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
User status: Offline
|
But that's not the point FIAT (i.e. the brand) is not being used in racing 
I'd have an alfa only if it was brand new tho, start rusting after about 2 months
|
mike16v
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: sheffield, yorkshire
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Ojc
Vauxhall are on to a winner with this.
Ford are falling behind with there warm hatches.
Honda, well they make lawn mowers
Citroen - 2CV
Peugeot - Plastic panels
Renault - French
|
Tom
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
oh my god, old afas were shit but new are so much beter, im urwe they came above the vaux in the jd power test
i'm winding you up i'd love a gta 146...or the new 'gt' well shexy
|
Fad
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
oh my god, old afas were shit but new are so much beter, im urwe they came above the vaux in the jd power test
u'd be wrong
Old family friend has a GTV and the srvice bill was horendous so much was wrong with it and it only had 28K miles on the clcok think its service came to summing rouind the 700 mark 
well known for electric faults and unreliability
|
mike16v
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: sheffield, yorkshire
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
vaux-boring i think u missed out then OJC
wouldnt really call an astra GSI or a vx220 turbo boring wud u
|
Fad
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
vaux-boring i think u missed out then OJC
well to be fair u do drive a 1 litre
|
vibrio
Banned
Registered: 28th Feb 01
Location: POAH
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by fadscorsa
quote:
Originally posted by vibrio
FPMSL @ the gay paint colour
VXR the homo brand of performance cars from Vauxhall
dotn see Fiat making any so called "perfromance cars" jst luke warm bags of shite like the multipla
not since the coupe no. however there are a few in the making
and lets no forget Alfa's mmm 147 GTV 0-100 14.10s. not to shabby
[Edited on 06-05-2004 by vibrio]
|
vibrio
Banned
Registered: 28th Feb 01
Location: POAH
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Tom
But that's not the point FIAT (i.e. the brand) is not being used in racing
I'd have an alfa only if it was brand new tho, start rusting after about 2 months
it is you fool super 1600 rallye
Alfa is used in the European TC
|
Tom
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by vibrio
quote:
Originally posted by fadscorsa
quote:
Originally posted by vibrio
FPMSL @ the gay paint colour
VXR the homo brand of performance cars from Vauxhall
dotn see Fiat making any so called "perfromance cars" jst luke warm bags of shite like the multipla
not since the coupe no. however there are a few in the making
and lets no forget Alfa's mmm 147 GTV 0-100 14.10s. not to shabby
[Edited on 06-05-2004 by vibrio]
Would the new coupe replacement be an engine out job for a cambelt change aswell tho
And since when did u own an alfa to stick up for them
|
vibrio
Banned
Registered: 28th Feb 01
Location: POAH
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Ojc
Vauxhall are on to a winner with this.
Ford are falling behind with there warm hatches.
Honda, well they make lawn mowers
Citroen - 2CV
Peugeot - Plastic panels
Renault - French
they cost over 30K you fool
the VX220 never sold well. I doubt the monaro will sell that great either even though they are both nice cars
|
Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
vaux-boring i think u missed out then OJC
220bhp car capable of low 4 sec 0-60?
370bhp capable of 160+mph
GSi turbos make excellent road driving due to engine setup?
This guys been on the beers all night. Full on brown turds
|
M2RTY
Member
Registered: 25th May 01
User status: Offline
|
wheels dont suit top one - yuck
|
Cybermonkey
Member
Registered: 22nd Sep 02
Location: Sydney, Australia
User status: Offline
|
whatever anyone things, the VXR range is going in the right direction for vauxhall. The Astra is still kicking arse in touring cars, the corsa is diong pretty good in super1600 races, and im sure that the astra is also doing well in DTM in germany. So really its all down to old cliches that vauxhall cannot make decent cars. Thing is, they seem to be fighting through this image rather well. That monaro will be an M3 eater, and the VXR220 will further ensure it is king of the track days. Anyone nochalent enough to not see that vauxhall are now producing sporty cars to rival everything else, needs to have a new brain installed.
[Edited on 06-05-2004 by Cybermonkey24]
|
Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
ah i know but that cos i cant afford nufin bigger. vaux are boring ther shapes and evrythign are crap, vx220 has been attacked by a set square, astras shape aiont chaged in 20 years
You type like an ego boosting 16 year old
Astras shape hasn't changed in 20 years? Damn, i'd best not get a golf mk5 then or anything like that as it still bears the same name, and has a resemblence to the original cars Gumbo, sort it out and get some proper arguments (and please write them in english not yob)
|
Cybermonkey
Member
Registered: 22nd Sep 02
Location: Sydney, Australia
User status: Offline
|
antscorsa, you drive a 1.0 corsa, you have no room to comment on the current vauxhall range
|
Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
my opinion i never quoted nufin about engines juts styling wise so GTF daimo.
Opinion, how can you say they are boring?
VX220 has been written as one of the best handing and most fun cars of the current era.
Astra GSi, 17"s, spoliers etc.
Tell me, whats your idea of an exciting normal road car then?
|
Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Cybermonkey24
whatever anyone things, the VXR range is going in the right direction for vauxhall. The Astra is still kicking arse in touring cars, the corsa is diong pretty good in super1600 races, and im sure that the astra is also doing well in DTM in germany. So really its all down to old cliches that vauxhall cannot make decent cars. Thing is, they seem to be fighting through this image rather well. That monaro will be an M3 eater, and the VXR220 will further ensure it is king of the track days. Anyone nochalent enough to not see that vauxhall are now producing sporty cars to rival everything else, needs to have a new brain installed.
[Edited on 06-05-2004 by Cybermonkey24]
Vectra V8 now used in DTM, not the astra. But doing very well in its first season already.
|
Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by antscorsa
who do you think your are daimo i study car design so i fuckin know quite a bit about car shapes, i never sed vaux are the only company that aint chaged its looks, sorry for not typin corrrectly SIR. No wonder vibrio thinks your a wanker
What for picking up that you write like a ego boosted 16 year old? Me saying that gives you the right to call me a wanker just because you can't type our native language?
Umm, ok
Damn 18 year old neds. Got any neons
|
