 | |
| Product type | Automotive industry |
|---|---|
| Owner | Vauxhall (Stellantis) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Introduced | 2004 (VXR) 2007 (VX Racing) |
| Discontinued | 2017 |
| Related brands | VX Racing |
| Markets | United Kingdom |
| Tagline | Live The Change |
| Website | vxr |
| Company | |
| Successor | GSi |
VXR was thebranding for the high performance trim specification, used since 2004 for models in many ofVauxhall's car range in theUnited Kingdom.Holden has also used the VXR badge for some of its high-performance cars such as theAstra VXR,Insignia VXR, and theCommodore VXR.
European sourced VXR models were produced and developed byOpel Performance Center, a division ofOpel. TheVXR8 was produced and developed byHolden Special Vehicles. The VXR brand was closely linked to VX Racing, Vauxhall'sBritish Touring Car Championship team, and the VXR versions of the cars were race track styled models, with high performance capabilities.
The VXR brand was quietly discontinued with the end of production of theCorsa E in 2019, despite some of the motoring press speculating about its subsequent return in the years that followed.[1]
TheVX Racing name was first used in 2003 instead of Vauxhall Motorsport, taking part in the BTCC with cars prepared byTriple 8 Race Engineering. The VXR badge was first launched in the summer of 2004, at the British Motor Show, with enhanced consumer versions of theMonaro andVX220.[2] In 2005, the VXR range included theAstra VXR and subsequentlyZafira,Vectra,Corsa,Insignia andMeriva versions.
It was launched following discussions with the Directors (K Grice, P Marshall and N Reed) and several Regional Organisers of theVauxhall Sports Car Club, at the time the official club for owners and enthusiasts of Vauxhall performance models[3] 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.
Corsa (E) VXR
The Corsa VXR Performance Pack adds a Drexler limited slip differential, larger Brembo brakes (330 mm over standard 305 mm) and track grade suspension with retuned Koni dampers.
Astra GTC VXR
Insignia VXR
VXR8 Bathurst SThe Bathurst S version of the VXR8 became the most powerful ever Vauxhall to be offered, when it was launched in 2009.[4]
TheVXR220 is a limited edition version of theLotus Elise basedVauxhall VX220, with a small production run of 65 vehicles. It was powered by a four-cylinder 2.0i turbo 16v engine producing 217 bhp (162 kW) at 6300 rpm and 210 lb⋅ft (285 N⋅m) of torque at 4800 rpm.[5] It could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h).[6]
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 upratedbrakes with 288 mm discs.
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TheVauxhall Monaro VXR is a rebadgedHSV GTO[7] with a six-litreV8 engine producing 398 bhp (297 kW) at 6000 rpm and 391 lb⋅ft (530 N⋅m) of torque. It could accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 170 mph (274 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.
The originalhot hatch Astra VXR was announced in January 2005, and went on sale in the summer of 2005.[8] Based on theVauxhall Astra Mark 5, it was fitted with a 2.0i turbo 16V engine (Z20LEH) producing 236 bhp (176 kW).
It could accelerate 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 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" ten spoke wheels), lowered and uprated suspension and VXR front fog lamps and other external styling including spoiler.
Launched mid April 2007
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.
The seven seatZafira VXRcompact MPV was launched at the end of 2005, and sharing the same turbocharged 2.0 four cylinder engine of the Astra VXR,[9] producing 237 bhp (177 kW; 240 PS). It could accelerate 0 to 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
The Vectra VXR was available in both hatchback and estate versions, fitted with 2.8i 24vV6 turbo engine and was based on theOpel Vectra OPC. Originally launched in December 2005, it produced 252 bhp (188 kW; 255 PS)[10] and after the facelift of 2007, the output increased to 276 bhp (206 kW; 280 PS).
This post 2007 version could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.1 seconds for the hatchback, 6.3 seconds for the estate, and had a claimed top speed of 161 mph (260 km/h) (hatchback),[11] 158 mph (250 km/h) (estate). The Vectra was equipped with 18" five spoke alloy wheels with 225/45R18 tyres (optional 19" ten spoke wheels) and upgraded brakes (345 mm discs on front wheels, 292 mm on rear wheels). It was replaced by the Insignia VXR.
The Meriva VXR is an unusual sporting version of theVauxhall Merivamini 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.[12] It was equipped with 17" six spoke alloy wheels and brakes of 308 mm front discs, 264 mm rear discs.
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