General Motors’ Australian unit Holden is to ship a version of its sporty V8-powered Commodore sedan to the UK for sale as the Vauxhall VXR8.
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The news comes just a few weeks after Holden confirmed it would build versions of this car for Pontiac to sell in the US as the G8.
The new ‘supersaloon’ goes on sale here in the UK in July, priced at GBP34,995 with a six-litre 420bhp V8 and capable of going from rest to 60mph in 4.9 seconds.
It will be the first Vauxhall VXR model available with an automatic transmission and replaces the previous generation two-door Monaro VXR coupe which had a less powerful version of the same engine.
Holden also built versions of the two-door for the US where they were badged Pontiac GTO.
The new VXR8 for the UK is based on the Holden HSV Clubsport R8, a special, low-volume specialist sports derivative of the regular Commodore SS. Vauxhall said it “offers more in the way of practicality than the outgoing Monaro, with four doors and space for all the family”.
The automatic option is “in response to customer demand” and the GBP1,400 optional self-shifter has a manual override and a sport setting.
Satellite navigation and 20-inch wheels will also be optional in the UK.
Vauxhall claims a fully-loaded VXR8 is still around half the price of other cars with comparable performance.
