FUTUREICONS
SO MANYOF THE CARS WELOVEHAVEAN
honesty at their core. Be it a stripped-out hot hatch from
Renault, a 911 with a criss-cross of metalwork instead of
rear seats, or a lightweight sports car from Lotus or Alpine.
Just looking at them is enough to understand their intent,
andshouldtheydeliveritsuccessfullythere’sagoodchance
we’ll fall under their spell. We’re putty in their hands.
On the face of it the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS operates within
this niche... the difference being that instead of promising
purityandpin-sharpdynamicsitscreamsbig,sillyoversteer,
burnouts and thunderous noise. All of which
it can deliver and when it does so you’ll love
it. However, what’s really cool is how it can
surprise. It has balance and poise, it embraces
technology to enhance the booming front-
engine/rear-drive V8 formula, and it lopes
effortlessly across vast distances. The GTS
- and indeed the earlier, non-supercharged
VXR8s – may appear to be a supersaloon
cartooncharacter, butafterawhileyourealise
it’s the hidden depths that really defi ne it.
They are very well hidden initially, however. The
interior might be described as ‘challenging’ by people who
tend to ‘move forward’ ina mid-level E-class or 5-series ina
fetching shade of grey. Yes, it’s a bit crappy. The 6.2-litre V8
starts with a subdued but unmistakably powerful woofle.
There’s no digitised fl are of revs, AMG-style. Just honest,
big-cube depth and bass. Maybe the plastics aren’tsobad.
This rebadged Holden is cleverer than it looks, too.
VAUXHALL VXR8 GTS
The magnetorheological dampers and long wheelbase
provide an innate sense of composure, the steering is nicely
weighted,anddespitethesheersizeofthecaritseemsoddly
agile. Select Performance mode and the torque vectoring is
activated and the ride becomes sharper-edged. It’s nothing
like aslocked-down infeelasone of its Germancompetitors
in their sharpest settings, but there’s a defi nite ramping up
of body control. Yet because it’s still fl uid and supple there’s
absolutely tons of traction and a natural feel to the way it
eases along even the craggiest B-road.
At fi rst, the way the VXR8 makes big
performance so easy to access might seem
disappointing. Oversteer? Well, you can make
it slide but its natural stance isn’t slow in, even
slower out with smoke billowing from the rear
tyres. In fact, it’s a neat and tidy car but with
an ever-present sense that the rear treadblocks
are being squeezed into the road and clinging
on for dear life on corner exit. And there’s real
satisfaction to be had balancing this monstrous
car right on the edge.
However, the real magic here is that you don’t need to be
going hard to enjoy the super-Vauxhall. The V8 is rich with
torque and character, the hefty six-speed manual is clunky
at times but lovable, and the VXR8 is a simply brilliant
GT car. Few stride so far so easily. Oh, and did I mention
it handles pretty extreme track work without complaining
loudly? The VXR8GTS doeseverything. Just besureto feed
it. Boy, does it need a lot of feeding...
‘YOUSOON
REALISEIT’STHE
HIDDENDEPTHS
THATDEFINEIT’
One of the last of the Aussie-built V8 VXRs getsJethro Bovingdon’s vote