I'm sure most people who have even a vague interest in Cars must have heard of the Vauxhall VXR8 also known as the Monaro this is Vauxhall's insane muscle car that defiantly fly's in the face of current motoring trends. Well I've discovered there is an entire VXR family a sort of family from hell if you like. Vauxhall's slightly understated corporate statement goes something like "VXR takes the experience, knowledge and passion gained from racing and crystallises it into a range of high performance road cars"

Well they're not kidding! A few minutes spent online led me to a high octane fuelled world where I became entranced by a staggering array of performance figures that left me in awe and amazement, well almost.

You see Vauxhall didn't stop at the VXR8 oh no they have created a range that means everyone can experience blistering performance right across the spectrum from the ubiquitous hot hatch to the family saloon and even the MPV all receive an injection of pure adrenaline.

Young men with the money to afford the insurance will be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of the Corsa VXR which is the smallest model to get the VXR treatment.

It comes with a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder Turbo-charged engine that produces 192 PS and 230NM of torque which increases for five seconds to over 260NM when you apply the turbo over boost. This adds up to a 0-60mph time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. Unlike hot hatches of yesteryear advances in braking means that this will actually stop when you apply the brakes thanks to large diameter disc brakes front and rear you get nice blue calipers as well so no need to get your spray paint out lads.

The Corsa has lowered sports suspension and switchable Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) including Traction Control for those who like to show their road skills without assistance. 17" Alloy wheels come as standard with ultra-low profile tyres and optional 18" V spoke Alloys with even lower profile tyres can be had to increase your small but imposing presence round town or more likely in shopping mall car parks after hours.

Next on the list is the Astra which Vauxhall claim to be their hottest hatch ever and then some! The 2.0 litre 4 cylinder Ecotec comes with an updated Turbocharger producing 240 PS and 320NM of torque which propels you from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and gives a top speed of 152mph. The Astra comes with a centrally mounted trapezoidal tuned sports exhaust, close ratio six-speed gearbox and large diameter disc brakes finished off with 18" or 19" Alloys.

The Vectra has always been a favourite with fleet buyers but not sure if they would let you loose in one of these. The VXR gets a 2.8 litre 24valve V6 engine with a twin scroll Turbocharger no less. Those in the know will tell you that this is normally reserved for rally cars and such like, what it means is 280PS and 355MN of torque Autel MaxiTPMS PAD. 0-60 comes in 6.1 seconds and top speed is a restricted 155mph.

You'd think Vauxhall would leave it here but even the Meriva and Zafira have received the VXR treatment. These are the popular MPV models which have been given the potential to make you the fastest Mum or Dad on the school run, not sure if the kids will appreciate Recaro sports seats no doubt they will be busy getting food all over them. It is always handy to know that by the time you have loaded up all their clobber and then gone back home to get the conveniently forgotten sports kit you will still arrive at the school gates before you left!

Well I couldn't finish without giving the VXR8 a mention, Vauxhall have made some recent "tweaks" to the performance and although they have published an eye watering 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds they have kept the top speed a bit quiet needless to say it is very fast. They have been up front about the CO2 emissions though Autel Diaglink, something like 365 g/km oops! Never mind it's still a great car.

Jon Barlow has been drooling over the latest Vauxhall VXR8 and discovered there is an entire range on offer at Now Vauxhall
Related Links
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