Introducing Vauxhall’s most powerful car ever

Vauxhall has announced that a limited edition version of its new VXR8 will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 29 – July 2).

Just 15 examples of the 587bhp VXR8 GTS-R super saloon – the most powerful car in the company’s 114-year history – will come to the UK, before the model bows out.

Production of the Holden Commodore derived HSV GTSR W1 model (pictured), on which the GTS-R is based, comes to an end in Australia this October, when Holden’s manufacturing plant closes.

Vauxhall – a sister brand to Holden in the GM family – has been importing the VXR8 in various forms since 2007, and sells the car through selected dealerships in its network with full service back up and a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.

The VXR8 GTS-R is powered by an evolution of the current GTS’s supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine and will set you back a whopping £74,500.

Sending drive via a limited slip differential to the rear wheels, the VXR8 GTS-R retains the previous GTS’s torque vectoring system, but adds an upgraded braking system with six-piston, monoblock calipers and 410mm discs up front.

In addition, the GTS-R wears all-new 20-inch forged alloy rims (10-inch width at the rear, 9-inch at the front).

Visually, the GTS-R has a fresh face, with a new front fascia, splitter, wings and carbon fibre vents, while at the rear there’s a new-look diffuser, spoiler (with carbon fibre upper), lower panel and quad exhaust outlets with diamond-shaped exhaust tips.

Inside, the diamond theme continues in the Alcantara and leather seat trim, with the steering wheel and gear-lever also trimmed in Alcantara.