A Decade Of Fast Vauxhalls Celebrated

VAUXHALL is celebrating 10 years of its VXR performance brand in style, with the launch of a new version of its popular VXR8 model.

The GTS variant joins an illustrious line of hot Vauxhalls from the last decade that saw the memorable VXR220 roadster and Aussie bruiser the Monaro VXR hit the showrooms back in 2004.

There are currently five cars in Vauxhall's VXR range: the Corsa VXR, the 210 horsepower Corsa VXR ClubSport, the 280 horsepower Astra VXR, the 325 horsepower Insignia VXR and the aforementioned 576 horsepower VXR8 GTS.

This year also marks the anniversaries of two iconic performance Vauxhalls that never wore the VXR badge.

Launched in 1989, both the Calibra and Lotus Carlton are now celebrating their first quarter-century.

The Calibra was the most aerodynamic car in its class, which when combined with up to 200bhp and all-wheel drive in later models, made it a credible rival for cars like the Sierra Cosworth and Lancia Delta Integrale. The Calibra was produced until 1996, by which time over 40,000 had found homes in the UK.

With 377 horsepower from its twin-turbcharged, straight-six engine, Vauxhall's Lotus Carlton super-saloon could crack 176mph and accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds. And with a chassis developed with Lotus Engineering, the car was equally at home on fast British A-roads or belting along de-restricted Autobahns.

By Press Association reporters