2010 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S car specs and picture
2010 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S car specs
| Chassis | |
| Brakes (Front) | 6-pot caliper disc |
| Brakes (Rear) | 4-pot caliper disc |
| Wheels | Optional 20 inch |
| Suspension | Stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers |
| Drivetrain | |
| Layout | Front Engine, RWD |
| Transmission | 6 speed conventional manual with high-torque capacity clutch |
| Engine | |
| Type: | Supercharged LS3 V8 |
| Induction | Walkinshaw 122 Supercharger |
| Displacement | 6.2 liters |
| Horsepower | 560 bhp (570 with optional high-performance exhaust system) |
| Torque | 528 lb-ft. (715 Nm) |
Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S 2010 car picture
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| Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S 2010 |
U.K. Gets Exciting Supercharged Vauxhall-Branded G8/Commodore/VXR8 Bathurst
Vauxhall models, usually released as Opel outside of the U.K., very rarely find themselves onto the pages of RSportsCars. The Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S is not like other Vauxhall models, though. The VXR8 Bathurst dispenses with 560 horsepower by way of a supercharged LS3 V8, and puts that power to the road through a composed and stylish sedan chassis.
The VXR8 Bathurst looks decidedly non-British, with its strange hybrid styling of the large Pontiac G8 GXP, a Ford Fusion or Australian-market Falcon, and perhaps some Holden Commodore thrown in for good measure.
Makes sense; the VXR8 is loosely based from both the Holden and G8 models, featuring the GM-sourced LS3 V8 found in both models. Unlike the G8 GXP, though, the 2010 VXR8 Bathurst S features a true manual 6 speed transmission.
Some may find the VXR8 Bathurst's styling a bit overblown, what with its EVO-esque front end and big side air inlets. Those who appreciate the heft of the car's blower, though, should like these features just fine.
Vauxhall advertises the VXR8 Bathurst S as the cheapest way to get more than 500 PS in the U.K., and no challenger has come out to prove them wrong. A performance bargain at £44,995, the Bathurst S will be in selected Vauxhall dealerships soon.
VXR8 BATHURST EDITION DEALS BLOWER PUNCH TO RIVALS
* At £44,995, Bathurst S is less expensive than any UK car with 500PS+
* Comprehensive dynamic mods on both Bathurst and Bathurst S
* Optional Bi-Modal Exhaust offers flexibility for road and track
Luton – 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 or indeed sideways...
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.
The Bathurst S Edition joins the normally aspirated Bathurst Edition at the top of the Vauxhall family tree, with both cars receiving a raft of technical and cosmetic upgrades over the standard VXR8. Only a limited number of Bathurst Editions will be sold through selected Vauxhall retailers.
To exploit the Bathurst’s greater power potential, six-pot front and four-pot rear callipers are now standard on both models, along with stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers. The bespoke damper units have 15 separate valve settings with independent corner adjustment for the owner’s preferred setup.
Dynamically, both Bathursts retain the VXR8’s much praised ride quality, but body control is enhanced and the handling made more exploitable for the enthusiastic driver.
At the heart of the Bathurst S is Walkinshaw’s 122 Supercharger, which not only boosts power by 30 per cent, but escalates torque from an eye-catching 550Nm to an eye-watering 715Nm. Such is the strength of the LS3 V8 engine that extracting bigger figures would have been possible, but retaining the VXR8’s driveability and durability was Walkinshaw’s priority.
In fact, the 122 Supercharger is so much more than just a bolt-on blower. The comprehensively engineered package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map, while the standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.
As with most supercharged cars, the S’s power delivery is exceptionally linear, with a huge slug of torque available from very low down in the rev range; but push the engine towards its redline and there’s no let up in the car’s performance, just a seamless stream of power.
Outside, both Bathursts are instantly recognisable by their distinctive graphic packs, front fog light covers and ‘Bathurst’ badges (only the addition of a discreet ‘S’ badge reveals the supercharged model’s extra 129PS), while inside a console-mounted badge showing the car’s build number complements the ‘Walkinshaw Performance’ tread plates found inside each door opening.
Putting icing on the cake for serious drivers is the option of the new Bi-Modal Exhaust, which is available on both Bathurst models. Raising power by up to 10PS, the ingenious system allows drivers to select one of two noise settings: ‘Street’, with an upper limit of 92dbA, or ‘Optimum’, which releases the LS3 V8’s full 102dbA. The two-and-a-half inch diameter system is manufactured from stainless steel with unique chrome tail-pipe finishers and costs £1600.
Both Bathurst models retain the VXR8’s standard colour palette, and can also be specified with optional 20” alloy rims at £1500. List price for the Bathurst Edition is £37,995 – just £2757 above the standard VXR8 – while the Bathurst S costs £44,995.
The VXR8 Bathurst looks decidedly non-British, with its strange hybrid styling of the large Pontiac G8 GXP, a Ford Fusion or Australian-market Falcon, and perhaps some Holden Commodore thrown in for good measure.
Makes sense; the VXR8 is loosely based from both the Holden and G8 models, featuring the GM-sourced LS3 V8 found in both models. Unlike the G8 GXP, though, the 2010 VXR8 Bathurst S features a true manual 6 speed transmission.
Some may find the VXR8 Bathurst's styling a bit overblown, what with its EVO-esque front end and big side air inlets. Those who appreciate the heft of the car's blower, though, should like these features just fine.
Vauxhall advertises the VXR8 Bathurst S as the cheapest way to get more than 500 PS in the U.K., and no challenger has come out to prove them wrong. A performance bargain at £44,995, the Bathurst S will be in selected Vauxhall dealerships soon.
VXR8 BATHURST EDITION DEALS BLOWER PUNCH TO RIVALS
* At £44,995, Bathurst S is less expensive than any UK car with 500PS+
* Comprehensive dynamic mods on both Bathurst and Bathurst S
* Optional Bi-Modal Exhaust offers flexibility for road and track
Luton – 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 or indeed sideways...
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.
The Bathurst S Edition joins the normally aspirated Bathurst Edition at the top of the Vauxhall family tree, with both cars receiving a raft of technical and cosmetic upgrades over the standard VXR8. Only a limited number of Bathurst Editions will be sold through selected Vauxhall retailers.
To exploit the Bathurst’s greater power potential, six-pot front and four-pot rear callipers are now standard on both models, along with stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers. The bespoke damper units have 15 separate valve settings with independent corner adjustment for the owner’s preferred setup.
Dynamically, both Bathursts retain the VXR8’s much praised ride quality, but body control is enhanced and the handling made more exploitable for the enthusiastic driver.
At the heart of the Bathurst S is Walkinshaw’s 122 Supercharger, which not only boosts power by 30 per cent, but escalates torque from an eye-catching 550Nm to an eye-watering 715Nm. Such is the strength of the LS3 V8 engine that extracting bigger figures would have been possible, but retaining the VXR8’s driveability and durability was Walkinshaw’s priority.
In fact, the 122 Supercharger is so much more than just a bolt-on blower. The comprehensively engineered package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map, while the standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.
As with most supercharged cars, the S’s power delivery is exceptionally linear, with a huge slug of torque available from very low down in the rev range; but push the engine towards its redline and there’s no let up in the car’s performance, just a seamless stream of power.
Outside, both Bathursts are instantly recognisable by their distinctive graphic packs, front fog light covers and ‘Bathurst’ badges (only the addition of a discreet ‘S’ badge reveals the supercharged model’s extra 129PS), while inside a console-mounted badge showing the car’s build number complements the ‘Walkinshaw Performance’ tread plates found inside each door opening.
Putting icing on the cake for serious drivers is the option of the new Bi-Modal Exhaust, which is available on both Bathurst models. Raising power by up to 10PS, the ingenious system allows drivers to select one of two noise settings: ‘Street’, with an upper limit of 92dbA, or ‘Optimum’, which releases the LS3 V8’s full 102dbA. The two-and-a-half inch diameter system is manufactured from stainless steel with unique chrome tail-pipe finishers and costs £1600.
Both Bathurst models retain the VXR8’s standard colour palette, and can also be specified with optional 20” alloy rims at £1500. List price for the Bathurst Edition is £37,995 – just £2757 above the standard VXR8 – while the Bathurst S costs £44,995.
