Sadly, the VXR8 is on the way out, but that doesn’t mean that Vauxhall’s version of the Holden Commodore, Australia’s premier muscle car, isn’t going out in style.
Meet the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R, a 587bhp thunder from down under that’s not just the most powerful VXR8 made, it’s also the most powerful car to wear a Vauxhall badge in history.
It’s safe to say that the VXR8 has never been the most mainstream performance car in the UK, but it’s gained a cult following for its big, brash, tyre-shredding attitude.
Compared against the standard GTS model, the GTS-R gets an extra 19bhp from its 6.2-litre supercharged V8, which comes courtesy of a remap and a high-flow air filter.
All that power goes straight to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential, while the brakes have been uprated to six-piston monoblock caliper jobbies with huge 410mm front discs.
Not just that, but the GTS-R gets a bespoke front fascia, front splitter and carbon fibre vents, while there’s also a new diffuser and spoiler setup at the rear, quad tailpipes with diamond-shaped tips and the option of one very green paintjob.
Only 15 of them are being made for the UK, with prices starting from £74,500, which is considerably more than the standard VXR8 GTS, which starts from around £56,000.
However, given that the VXR8 will cease production along with the Commodore on which it’s based this year, suffice to say something quite like this will likely never come around again.