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Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R is a ‘final hurrah’ to an epic V8 bruiser

The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R promises 595PS, 740Nm of torque and supercharged V8 stupidity. Seems like the perfect way to mark the end of the VXR8 range, if you ask us.

Vauxhall will soon discontinue the VXR8, which is one of the last V8 bruisers you can buy new in the UK. That is the bad news. The good news is that it will mark the occasion with a ‘final hurrah’ known as the VXR8 GTS-R.

The VXR8 GTS-R is powered by the same 6.2-litre supercharged V8 as the standard VXR8, but power has been increased from 576 to 595PS, making it the most powerful Vauxhall ever. Torque, meanwhile, is 456lb/ft (740Nm), making it a similarly noteworthy figure.

Obtaining the horsepower increase was done by remapping the supercharged LSA engine and fitting a high-flow air filter, Vauxhall explained.

Other revisions to send the much-loved VXR8 out with a bang include a new front fascia, splitter and wings, new rear diffuser with quad exhaust outlets, carbon fibre vents and all-new 20-inch forged alloys ─ ten inches in width at the back and nine inches at the front.

That means a pricey set of four rubbers whenever you decide to do a burnout. Which is all the time in a rear-wheel drive car that makes such an excellent noise.

Vauxhall’s VXR8 GTS-R also gets a limited-slip differential, an upgraded braking system with six-piston, monoblock calipers. 410mm discs, meanwhile, provide a very large surface for the front calipers to grab onto.

The diamond theme seen on the exhaust tips spills over onto the seats, which feature a diamond pattern across the Alcantara and leather surfaces. Alcantara can also be found on the steering wheel and gear-lever.

A mere 15 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R cars will come to the UK, each one priced at £74,500 before any extras and each one the last V8-powered Vauxhall.

The Vauxhall VXR8 was the successor to the critically-acclaimed but rather ugly Monaro, which itself was another V8 bruiser that liked going sideways while making lots of noise. The VXR8 has been on sale since 2007 in the UK and is known as a Holden Commodore in Australia.

Once upon a time we asked Vauxhall to lend us a VXR8 and it told us the car was ‘too powerful’, which was odd because the day before we had been out in a McLaren 12C supercar. We are hoping this time we can take it for a spin because it deserves a proper farewell.

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