Vauxhall VXR8 GTS (2013) first pictures of Aussie M5-killer

This is Vauxhall's BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG fighter: the new VXR8.

The £55k rear-drive saloon doesn't just beat its German peers for price though. It's also punching with the heavyweights in the power stakes, developing 576bhp and 545lb ft.

Strictly it's nothing more than the new HSV GTS with some Vauxhall roundels attached, but what's interesting is that the UK market is only getting this top-spec 576bhp version, rather than the lower-powered variants in HSV's range. The engine is a 6.2-litre supercharged V8: it makes 150bhp and 140lb ft more than the old LS3-engined VXR8.

Like the HSV GTS, the VXR8 GTS uses a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with a six-speed automatic a cost option. There's adaptive magnetic ride control with three modes (Touring, Sport and Track) AP racing brakes inside 20in alloys, and brake torque vectoring to improve cornering balance.

Standard technology features include blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display, automatic parking, sat-nav, a reversing camera and a push-button start.

By Ollie Kew