2011 HSV E Series 3 GTS says, "Call me Vauxhall VXR8 GTS"

Some say, we saw this car on Top Gear's original video called "Top Gear at the Movies" where it overtook the Ford Mustang Boss 302. Some say, we last seen this one on the internet when The Stig blown up the caravan in celebration of BBC Top Gear's 10 million Facebook likes. All we know is...wait, what? Why are we doing this?

Outta my way, Germans!

Oh, now I see the point. The February ALMS Pack, now on sale, for Forza Motorsport 4, featured the latest version of the Commodore-based GTS saloon car from Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). Like other European 4-door sports cars like the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, the HSV GTS is the kind of saloon that you would probably go bonkers. That car was made from the country that hadn't signed up to the Kyoto Protocol. Take note that the latest version of the HSV GTS is sold in United Kingdom as the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS and it was featured at the Top Gear original video titled "Top Gear at the Movies" where Richard Hammond imagines what if Bullitt had to be remade. Surely, the Boss 302 Mustang is a lot faster but when the VXR8 GTS overtook the Boss 302 after a spinout, the VXR8 GTS stayed ahead to the very end.

"If Bullitt had to be remade, Steve McQueen will be driving a Vauxhall" - Richard Hammond, Top Gear

A peek inside the HSV GTS

You should know that this car is sold in Britain
as a Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

Another fast fact that the 2011 HE HSV E3 GTS won last year's Fleet World MPG Marathon where it scored a fuel consumption of 11.4km/L (32.14 MPG UK), a 53% improvement to the factory-rated fuel consumption of 7.4km/L (21.0 MPG UK). Bear that in mind that in real life, a driver's habit is the key to a better fuel economy rather than focusing on the factory-derived fuel economy, especially the EPA rating or the JC08 mode test cycle. But that's not we're talking about. When I tried this car on Forza Motorsport 4, I am very impressed about the sound of the 6.2L V8 derived from the Corvette. That 4-door executive saloon car has the noise of the American muscle car! Oh, thanks General Motors.

It's a spindle grille! That's what matters...

This car drove me mental because the HSV GTS is completely insane on the corners and you'll have much chances of getting yourself thrown out unless you fit this car with the right performance parts in terms of handling. I once bought a suspension part and I made it stiffer. Also, I bought some anti-roll bars and some Sport Weight Reduction. My HSV GTS lapped the Top Gear Test Track in 1:25.9. I was on par with the BMW Z4 M's lap time from the show but no matter. This car is a great value because while the BMW M5 F10 costs 90,000 CR while the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG costs 100,000 CR, the HSV GTS cost about 65,000 CR! Outta my way, Germans!

If you were the 10 millionth Facebook fan of BBC's Top Gear, this car is for you because The Stig drove it while blowing up the caravan with some explosions.

R U KIDDING ME? VXR8 GTS wins MPG Marathon! Owws? Hindi Nga?!

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

You might think that hybrids and diesels always win the Fleet World MPG Marathon, but chances are that you are wrong. On the Fleet World MPG Marathon, the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS emerged as the champion on this kind of fuel consumption battle.

R U KIDDING ME? Owws? Hindi Nga?!

The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS, British version of the HSV GTS, emerged victorious on the two-day, 350 mile fuel consumption battle but how? This Vauxhall VXR8 GTS was driven by Top Gear online editor, Chris Mooney, along with Vauxhall archivist and eco-driving expert, Andrew Duerden.

The VXR8 GTS's fuel consumption is 7.4km/L (21.0 MPG UK) but Mooney managed to improve it even further by 53%, resulting to 11.4km/L (32.14 MPG UK)!

Looks like there is a lesson learned that fuel economy is not relied on the car itself but for the driver himself that makes the difference, whichever comes first...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/10/vauxhall-vxr8-sport-saloon-wins-mpg.html

Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

After its hiatus a few years ago, the super saloon that was designed and engineered in Australia, the Vauxhall VXR8, is back and the latest VXR8 minor change came with a new name called VXR8 GTS. The Vauxhall VXR8 is the Great Britain version of Holden's HSV E-Series based on the Commodore sports sedan. Australia's HSV E-Series 3 Clubsport is sold as Great Britain's Vauxhall VXR8 GTS. The main disappointment is the pricing because of the currency rates. The pre-facelifted VXR8 used to be priced by about 35,105 British Pounds Sterling but because of the British Pound Sterling's weak currency rates against the Australian dollar, the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS priced to an expensive 49,550 British Pounds Sterling but the optional automatic transmission adds 1,700 Pounds to the pricing. Despite the ultra expensive pricing, it's still much more affordable than the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, BMW M5, Cadillac CTS-V sedan, or even the Jaguar XFR.

In terms of design, the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS looks abruptly impressive because of its new face that scares the competition away. This minor change sounds convincing and the interior is considered to be "premium amenity" in the eyes of a London getaway driver. The VXR8 GTS features Enhanced Driver Interface that allows the driver to check the VXR8 GTS's status such as lap times, performance stats, friction check, suspension check, body acceleration, tires, and so on. The EDI can also be added with the optional Side Blind Zone Alert for added safety on unexpected blind spots.

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS interior

The VXR8 GTS is powered with the 6.2 LS3 V8 engine sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette C6 that releases a power output of 431PS/6000rpm, torque output of 550Nm/4600rpm and it comes with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS 6MT grade can accumulate 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds and fuel economy of 7.4km/L in a combined figure while the VXR8 GTS 6AT grade can achieve 0-100kph in 5 seconds and fuel economy of 7.3km/L in combined figure. The new VXR8 GTS comes with the all new Magnetic Ride Control suspension system that digitally controls the suspension system within various situations like for instance; the mountain passes or circuit corners. With various settings the VXR8 GTS is born to slice through different corners like you have never seen in a sports sedan. The fun feature on the VXR8 GTS 6MT grade is the launch control feature. If turned on, the VXR8 GTS starts from standstill to its full potential. This is great when you want to take the lead at the first lap.

The new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is available in ten exterior colors ranging from Heron White, Sting Red, Hazard Yellow, Nitrate Silver, Phantom Black, Alto Grey, Voodoo, Karma, Sizzle, and Poison Ivy.

My comment:
Despite its heavy pricing because of the weak Pound Sterling against the OZ dollar, the minor change VXR8 seems to be getting a full respect to the VXR fans across the Great Britain. With the new name, VXR8 GTS, this high-performance super saloon picks it up where its pre-MC model left off after its two year hiatus to the Vauxhall lineup. Seems like the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS wants to relieve the glory of being Britain's V8 super sedan which has the striking familiarity of the Lotus Carlton, a Vauxhall Carlton modified by Lotus. Come to think of it, this minor change is one heck of a masterpiece only a true Brit can ever salivated for it.

Photo: General Motors UK Limited