Like its Australian counterpart, the Holden Commodore based HSV Clubsport R8, the UK market Vauxhall VXR8 is being enhanced with GM’s new and more powerful LS3 engine. The new V8 engine’s capacity grows from 6.0-liters to 6.2-liters and thanks to various improvements over the outgoing LS2 unit, power is up by 14 PS to 431 PS (317kw or 425 Hp) at 6,000rpm.
With the new LS3 the automatic VXR8 goes from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 sec, a 0.1 sec improvement over the LS2 model. Moreover, in-gear acceleration for manual models has also improved with 50-70mph in 3rd gear dropping from 2.8 to 2.6 sec while 30-50mph in 2nd gear drops from 2.0 to 1.9 sec. -Continued
Vauxhall supports that, despite the VXR8’s enhanced performance credentials, its LS3 produces the same emissions and fuel consumption as the outgoing LS2 unit. In addition, the VXR8 automatic receives a transmission oil cooler as standard.
The LS3 VXR8 is also offered with all-new body colour – Heron White – at no extra cost, as well as the option of factory-fit 20-inch rims for the first time on this model. Prices for both manual and automatic versions of the LS3-powered VXR8, which are on sale in the UK now, rise by £485 to £35,695.
