New Vauxhall VXR8 GTS will finally debut at the Performance Car Show next month

The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS (pictured) will finally debut in January

We got details of the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS back in May, with a promise from Vauxhall that the first cars would be delivered by the end of the year. But that hasn’t happened. But now, just a bit late, Vauxhall has revealed that the VXR8 GTS will debut at the Performance Car Show alongside Autosport International next month. And it’s probably worth the wait, particularly if you like a car that’s a bit of a hooligan.

The last VXR was already a yob, but Vauxhall has taken HSV’s new GEN-F GTS monster as the basis for the new VXR, and it offers some stunning figures.

With 576 bhp and 545lb/ft of torque on offer from the new supercharged LSA V8 under the bonnet, the VXR8 GTS promises to be the sort of lairy hooligan of a car that just doesn’t really exist any more – perhaps the perfect hooning car – even if Vauxhall promise the new VXR is more technology led than before.

With a 0-62 mph of just 4.2 seconds, Vauxhall say the new VXR8 GTS is the only car available in the UK with more than 500bhp for less than £60k (the VXR8 GTS costs £54,999).

But its should be able to get round corners (not always sideways) thanks to new Brake Torque Vectoring that will reduce understeer and Magnetic Ride Control with three settings, as well as improvements to body control and a more pliant ride.

Stuart Harris, Head of Carline Brand, said:

The Performance Car Show and Autosport International is an ideal location for us to take the wraps off the UK’s first new VXR8 GTS.

While this is unashamedly one of the most powerful road cars you can buy in the UK, the GTS was developed by people who have a wealth of experience in motorsport, so putting it in front of thousands of car racing enthusiasts is a no-brainer for Vauxhall.

The new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS will debut at the Performance Car Show, which runs from 9-12 Januarty 2014 as part of the Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC.

By Cars UK