Sheriff
6th December 2006, 10:42 PM
www.autoexpress.co.uk
By: Owen Mildenhall
Photos: David Shepherd
Found by user: Moschops & Jom
Rating: 4/5
Our verdict on a special turbo tuned Vectra VXR 888
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/vxr_photos/albums/userpics/10002/car_photo_209882_5.jpg
No, your eyes are not deceiving you – this is the world’s fastest Vauxhall. What’s more, it’s a near- standard Vectra VXR that’s expected to be offered through selected dealers towards the end of this year.
Capable of 186mph, it’s been built by German tuning legend EDS as part of a project involving race car firm 888. With 252bhp and 355Nm of torque, the stan-dard motor is already potent. But for those who want supercar performance, EDS has fitted a new turbocharger, worked its magic on the ECU, and modified the ex-haust to generate 340bhp and 500Nm.
Auto Express jumped at the chance to get an exclusive first drive in EDS’s development test car, and the performance differences are easy to spot. The car is noticeably more urgent, and you can really feel the surge in thrust as the turbo comes on boost. But it’s the acceleration in gear which is really impressive – particularly in fifth and sixth, where the ability to overtake or increase speed without changing down separates this model from a standard VXR.
However, away from the test track putting this much power through the front wheels asks a lot of the transmission and traction control. And with this in mind, EDS has programmed the standard VXR’s Sport button to be an on/off switch for the extra performance.
The tuned parts can be retro-fitted to an existing VXR, or ordered complete with a new car. Either way, the result will be most unlike your average Vectra.
FIRST OPINION
Our run in this prototype certainly confirms that the engine modifications take the VXR into a new class in terms of top speed and acceleration.
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/vxr_photos/albums/userpics/10002/car_photo_209880_5.jpg
Untested handling aside, the Vectra VXR 888 is already promising to be one of the most serious performance cars to ever wear a Vauxhall badge.
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/vxr_photos/albums/userpics/10002/car_photo_209905_5.jpg
AT A GLANCE
'EDS' stickers are the only clue this is not a standard VXR. The 888 versions will have bigger wheels and brakes than the model we drove.
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/vxr_photos/albums/userpics/10002/car_photo_209906_5.jpg
Engine: 2.8-litre V6, 340bhp
Top speed: 186mph
Price: £29,000
By: Owen Mildenhall
Photos: David Shepherd
Found by user: Moschops & Jom
Rating: 4/5
Our verdict on a special turbo tuned Vectra VXR 888
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/vxr_photos/albums/userpics/10002/car_photo_209882_5.jpg
No, your eyes are not deceiving you – this is the world’s fastest Vauxhall. What’s more, it’s a near- standard Vectra VXR that’s expected to be offered through selected dealers towards the end of this year.
Capable of 186mph, it’s been built by German tuning legend EDS as part of a project involving race car firm 888. With 252bhp and 355Nm of torque, the stan-dard motor is already potent. But for those who want supercar performance, EDS has fitted a new turbocharger, worked its magic on the ECU, and modified the ex-haust to generate 340bhp and 500Nm.
Auto Express jumped at the chance to get an exclusive first drive in EDS’s development test car, and the performance differences are easy to spot. The car is noticeably more urgent, and you can really feel the surge in thrust as the turbo comes on boost. But it’s the acceleration in gear which is really impressive – particularly in fifth and sixth, where the ability to overtake or increase speed without changing down separates this model from a standard VXR.
However, away from the test track putting this much power through the front wheels asks a lot of the transmission and traction control. And with this in mind, EDS has programmed the standard VXR’s Sport button to be an on/off switch for the extra performance.
The tuned parts can be retro-fitted to an existing VXR, or ordered complete with a new car. Either way, the result will be most unlike your average Vectra.
FIRST OPINION
Our run in this prototype certainly confirms that the engine modifications take the VXR into a new class in terms of top speed and acceleration.
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/vxr_photos/albums/userpics/10002/car_photo_209880_5.jpg
Untested handling aside, the Vectra VXR 888 is already promising to be one of the most serious performance cars to ever wear a Vauxhall badge.
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/vxr_photos/albums/userpics/10002/car_photo_209905_5.jpg
AT A GLANCE
'EDS' stickers are the only clue this is not a standard VXR. The 888 versions will have bigger wheels and brakes than the model we drove.
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/vxr_photos/albums/userpics/10002/car_photo_209906_5.jpg
Engine: 2.8-litre V6, 340bhp
Top speed: 186mph
Price: £29,000