VXR Monaro and VXR220: First look

British car enthusiasts will be grinning from ear-to-ear after a number of power-packing models will be launched at the 2004 Birmingham Motor Show.

Tricked-out vans, big Aussie V8s and even a super lightweight sports car of Ferrari proportions will be at the show in 2004 - each of which we'll cover as the show progresses.

But to begin with, Vauxhall has made news by establishing an FPV (Ford) or AMG (Mercedes) inspired 'performance' house called VXR, which will even incorporate HSV's Monaro GTO into the fold.

Vauxhall is the British arm of General Motors, and the new VXR badge will be launched at the British Motor Show in order to offer high performance local and imported cars for UK drivers.

The range will initially comprise of two models - both rear-wheel drive two door coupes that promise to ignite the rear hoops with just a dab on the throttle.

Let's first look at the VXR220, which is an improved and significantly more rapid version of the Vauxhall/Opel VX220 that will debut at the 2004 Birmingham Motor Show, outputting more than 160kW of power, or 220bhp.

The 2.0-litre mid-mounted engine sees an increase in power over the nat atmo 2.2-litre engine (also used in the Astra) thanks to a free-flow air filter, a hybrid turbo and a reprogrammed ECU.

On top of this, the new debut VXR model gets uprated wheels and rubber. It's agile handling characteristics will be given a swift kick in the cods with 16 and 17-inch five-spoke Speedline alloys front and rear respectively.

The eye-catching alloys are finished in satin black paint and are shod with Yokohama tyres measuring 195/45R 16 fore and 225/35 R17 aft, while a black anodised and lockable fuel filler cap conjures up images of motorsports.

General Motor's British operation is also giving the VXR220 uprated and lowered springs, plus uprated dampers to improve responsiveness. Vented, cross-drilled 288mm brakes with uprated brake pad materials at each corner are also part of the package.

Only available in the Calypso Red colour with matte black accents, the diminutive dragster is fitted with what VXR calls "super sport seats", upholstered with Alcantara and carbon fibre-effect leather trim.

All told, VXR reckons the new turbocharged roadster will hit 100km/h in a brain blending 4.3 seconds and will have a top speed of 240km/h, or 150mph. Vauxhall says the new model will be on sale from the 25th of May in Britain.

The second model in Vauxhall's hi-po range is the VXR Monaro - or for our Australian readers, an HSV GTO Coupe. For all intents and purposes, the VXR Monaro is the 285kW GTO Coupe fitted with larger wheels.

Thanks to its Chev-sourced 5.7-litre small-block V8 engine, the VXR Monaro makes a whopping 382bhp (285kW) @ 5800rpm and 376 lb ft of torque (510Nm) @ 4800rpm.

VXR's re-badged HSV GTO is claimed to reach 100km/h from standstill in 5.4 seconds and can reach speeds of more than 270km/h or 170mph. The quarter mile is dispatched by the brutish V8 coupe in less than 14.0 seconds.

Intriguingly, the Australia-built Monaro has been just as much a success in the UK as it has been in the US. Just one month after its 'on sale' date, 45 per cent of the year's quota had been sold – and now the the higher-spec Monaro VXR offers even more go.

In addition to 330mm disc brakes at the front and 315mm items at the rear, the VXR Monaro's profile is boosted by imposing 19-inch alloy wheels, shod with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso 245/35R 19 tyres all round.

For more info on the Monaro, click here for the full road test.

The new Vauxhall/GM brand was inspired by Vauxhall's VX Racing team's outstanding success in the British Touring Car Championship in recent years. VXR models offer enthusiasts exactly what they've been asking for, which is, in VXR speak: "Imposing looks, searing performance, exclusivity and value for money – with the added bonus of the brand's BTCC legacy."

Not content with two showroom models, VXR went out of its way to come up with a home-grown concept and so the the Vivaro Concept was born.

Not so different (in theory) from Ford's RS Focus-based van, the General's Vivaro concept is a big, bright red van that gets plenty of cool 'street' features, such as a rear roof spoiler, and double chrome exhausts.

Interior appointments for the Vauxhall van include a solar reflective windscreen, ultrasonic alarm system, leather seats for six of your 'crew' plus a beefy stereo, satellite navigation and a cup holder.

Vauxhall seems to think vans are making a comeback with the young 'uns in the UK, and it could be right, but European vans don't quite have the street cred of your garden variety US van - you know, the ones with the 'bling' and 23-inch wheels?

Vauxhall's new performance car group is akin to Opel's OPC (Germany) or Holden's HSV (Australia), both of which have proved to be vital assets in focussing attention on the flagship performance or 'hero' models. And how about that Monaro. Who would have thought that Holden, an automotive minnow, would be so popular in Europe and America?

One wonders if the UK-based VXR operation can give Vauxhall an edge like its German and Aussie counterparts, and if the swanky-looking VXR220 and VXR Monaro are anything to go by, then unless the accounts department decides to go 'Enron', VXR will have a bright future ahead.

VXR Website