Automobiles Review

Tag: Vauxhall VXR8

  • Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA vs 1903 Vauxhall 5HP and what they (surprisingly) have in common

    Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA vs 1903 Vauxhall 5HP side viewVauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA is Britain’s most powerful light commercial vehicle (LCV) and it will be also one of the main attractions at the Goodwood’s Festival of Speed next week. What is more, the VXR8 will be accommodating Vauxhall’s very first car in its generous load-bay!

    In addition, the new model is 107 times more powerful that the ancestor, called for a reason “5HP”. Built in 1903, it weighs just 272kgs (and the Maloo’s load bay is 500 kg) and can hit a maximum speed of… 25mph! If we have to compare it with the Maloo: it is barely a sixth of what it can achieve. By the way that was quite quick by early twentieth century standards.

    SEE ALSO: Iconic 1957 BMW 507 makes exclusive comeback at Goodwood

    Did you know that the Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA is driven by the 6.2-litre, supercharged V8 which is also to be found in its Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 sibling? The car deploys its power through a limited slip differential to the rear wheels, producing a total of 536 hp and capable of achieving 155 mph. The 0-60 acceleration time is reached in 4.3 seconds. Maloo also benefits from a neat Launch Control system for maximum-attack starts.

    Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA and 1903 Vauxhall 5HP front view

    If we dare to compare both car’s times on the Goodwood’s famous hill climb (and although there isn’t an official timing in the First Glance class in which the Maloo can be seen this year), estimates say that it would reach the finish line of the 1.16-mile course in 55 seconds, while the 113-year-old 5HP can do this for at least three minutes.

    And despite that it seems that both vehicles have nothing in common besides the brand, there’s actually one feature which is shared by both vehicles. And very surprisingly – it is the monocoque! Since 1903 Vauxhall’s engineers joined the chassis and the lower part of the 5HP’s body into a composite steel and wood structure, effectively creating a very early form of a monocoque design. Now, this feature is employed by almost all production cars around the world.

    This year Goodwood proves to be very exciting!

    1903 VAUXHALL 5HP vs 2016 VAUXHALL VXR8 MALOO LSA

    5HP Maloo
    • Engine capacity
    		 978cc 6,162cc
    • Cylinders
    		 1 8
    • Power
    		 5bhp 536bhp (544PS)
    • Torque
    		 N/A 671Nm @3850rpm
    • Engine construction
    		 Integrally cast head/block All-aluminium heads/block
    • Fuel delivery
    		 Vauxhall spray carb Electronic fuel injection
    • Crankshaft
    		 2-bearing Cross-bolted, 5-bearing
    • Transmission
    		 Clutchless, 2-speed 6-speed manual
    • Drive
    		 Via chain to rear axle Via limited slip diff. to rear axle
    • Suspension – front
    		 Spiral springs/no dampers MacPherson Strut
    • Suspension – rear
    		 Spiral springs/no dampers Fully independent, multi-link
    • Steering
    		 By tiller / plenty of faith By wheel / rack & pinion
    • Brakes  – front
    		 None 367mm diameter ventilated discs
    • Brakes – rear
    		 Drums 372mm diameter ventilated discs
    • Wheels
    		 26-inch / wire construction 20-inch / alloy
    • Tyres – front
    		 26/3 255/35 x 20
    • Tyres – rear
    		 26/3 275/35 x 20
    • Top speed
    		 25mph 155mph (limited/est)
    • Acceleration (0-60mph)
    		 Uh, never… 4.3 seconds (est)
    • Fuel consumption
    		 38mpg (unofficial) 18.5mpg (official combined)
    • Price
    		 130 guineas (£136) £54,520
    2016 Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA
    2016 Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA
    2016 Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA
    2016 Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA

    Source: Vauxhall 

  • Vauxhall VXR8 achieved 32.14mpg

    2011 Vauxhall VXR8 super-saloon is not what we call “fuel efficient” vehicle. It boasts a mighty 6.2 liter LS3 petrol engine with 431PS (317 kW) and 550Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

    Bacause of the huge prices of petrol all over the world, more and more people try to drive carefully and economical. This is the reason, why the Fleet World MPG Marathon is held. The interesting about it is that the VXR8 is the winner of the Marathon. The sports saloon was driven by Top Gear Online editor Chris Mooney with help from navigator, Andrew Duerden. It achieved 32.14mpg against a combined figure of 21mpg.

    The Fleet World MPG Marathon is the UK longest-running economy driving event.  The two-day event took place in the Cotswolds this year with separate routes covering 350 miles of countryside including a mixture of A and B roads and motorway driving.

    “Andrew and I are, as they say, over the moon to win the overall best percentage improvement in the VXR8,” said Chris Mooney.

    “It just goes to show that the person behind the wheel can make a massive difference to fuel costs and carbon emissions. And, of course, that a 6.2 litre V8 is a very sensible choice of engine in the right hands.”, he finished.

    2011 Vauxhall VXR8
    2011 Vauxhall VXR8
    2011 Vauxhall VXR8
    2011 Vauxhall VXR8
    2011 Vauxhall VXR8
    2011 Vauxhall VXR8
    2011 Vauxhall VXR8
    2011 Vauxhall VXR8

    Source: Vauxhall

  • Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S Edition

    Few will claim that Vauxhall’s storming VXR8 super-saloon is lacking in the power stakes, but just in case there were any doubters, the Bathurst S Edition will put them straight.

    Thanks to the addition of a Walkinshaw Performance 122 Supercharger, the Bathurst S dispenses 560 V8 horsepower, compared with the standard car’s 431 horsepower, and produces searing acceleration throughout the rev-range and a spine-tingling, banshee wail when you hit the loud pedal. (more…)