417kW Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S Edition

snappy · 12-02-2009, 06:47 PM

Seems to have some mixed feelings from the poms.
Imo puts in to perspective how much the w427 is overpriced though.

Thanks to its Walkinshaw Performance 122 blower, Vauxhall’s Anglicised HSV, the VXR8 Bathurst S Edition delivers a tyre-shredding 417kW (that’s 560 horsepower in Brit-speak). And Vauxhall’s not being shy about the fact.

Vauxhall’s press release issued in the UK last night talks about "... searing acceleration throughout the rev-range and a spine-tingling, banshee wail when you hit the loud pedal". Which is hardly your run-of-the-mill PR talk...

As you'll see from the GALLERY, there's nothing shy about the official press shots, either. Press shots don't usually feature smoke pouring from the rear tyres. These ones do.

What's more, Vauxhall's shouting about its new halo muscle car's bang for bucks. (Or, should that be 'punch per pound'.)

As you'll read in the official press release, below, Vauxhall’s shouting about '560bhp for £45K'. We've already told you the horsepower conversion. At today's exchange rate, the £45K works out at $99,572.

A quick blog comment trawl on some of the UK motoring website reveals that the punters are running seriously hot and cold about the hyper Holden. Some hark back to the iconic Vauxhall Lotus Carlton (well, they are English, after all), and reckon the new car's not a patch on it, even though it's patently more potent.

Some punters have laughed at suggestions that the Bathurst S Edition's virtually a bargain basement M5. One's even referred to it as a 'pos', which surely doesn't mean 'point of sale'... The same guy goes on to dub it "Plastic, poorly made rubbish". Hmmm.

Even now, we've got a pretty good idea that he'll get a solid argument from the hordes of Holden faithful...

LINKS
GALLERY: VXR8 Bathurst S Edition

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

VXR8 Bathurst Edition deals blower punch to rivals

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.

http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/News/Bat...ullarticle=yes

snappy · 12-02-2009, 06:58 PM

Also I know this i a Ford Forum
But it is really difficult to find any news on fords

**DJM83** · 12-02-2009, 07:00 PM

A mate sent me this link yesterday, IMHO why would they release a 'Bathurst' edition in UK FFS. It looks a little like the anniversary GTS just released, only with more mumbo

snappy · 12-02-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51RTE

A mate sent me this link yesterday, IMHO why would they release a 'Bathurst' edition in UK FFS. It looks a little like the anniversary GTS just released, only with more mumbo

I was thinking the same thing .
Does anybody know if the great race get televised in the uk (maybe its popular)

**DJM83** · 12-02-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappy84

I was thinking the same thing .
Does anybody know if the great race get televised in the uk (maybe its popular)

They used to race their 'little' cars around the mountain for a couple of years

FPV8U · 12-02-2009, 07:28 PM

Why does everwhere but Australia get all the best Specced & Priced Aussie built cars?

snappy · 12-02-2009, 07:33 PM

Although you can buy the w427 only 47 less kw for 56k more .

:
An you probly dont have to pull that red leather out either.
Bi modal exhaust sounds interesting.

Auslandau · 12-02-2009, 07:39 PM

Boy ... they get a huge discount over there! 60k difference and how much to get them there in the first place? How does that work? How much to buy one there and bring it back? Does the price difference of 40 odd kw's equate to the difference? Is it because you pay that amount for the 'special' badge'?
Bend over those that bought the WD40

| [/url] |

snappy · 12-02-2009, 07:47 PM

Also noticed that the corvette zr1 is available in australia for a measly sum of 400k

Zed7fiddy · 12-02-2009, 08:08 PM

i saw a HSV with that Stripe Package in sydney on the weekend i swear! nto sure about badging though!

burnz · 12-02-2009, 08:18 PM

the monaro 500 was sold at the same price as the standard one 28,000 pounds

VXR500 it was called, blown 6.0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TPHXVtblWw

RedHotGT · 12-02-2009, 10:11 PM

I just don't quite understand the idea of selling this car in the UK under that name???
"VXR8 Bathurst S Edition"

Kind of like selling the Silverstone Edition Jaguar over here??

They may as well have called it the 'White Kangaroo' or the 'Emu-SV' or something like that.... makes just as much sense....

Plus, the poms will be scared of the thing anyways... its a BIG petrol guzzling V8...
aren't they allergic to those (like baths, dentists, and cold beers)???

*pondering...............*

Fev · 13-02-2009, 09:08 AM

Jeremy Clarksons going to be creaming his pants lol

**ebxr8240** · 13-02-2009, 04:00 PM

Na just soap !!

BlackLS · 13-02-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loftie

I just don't quite understand the idea of selling this car in the UK under that name???
"VXR8 Bathurst S Edition"

Kind of like selling the Silverstone Edition Jaguar over here??

They may as well have called it the 'White Kangaroo' or the 'Emu-SV' or something like that.... makes just as much sense....

Plus, the poms will be scared of the thing anyways... its a BIG petrol guzzling V8...
aren't they allergic to those (like baths, dentists, and cold beers)???

*pondering...............*

Probably for the Aussie expats there to show how Aussie they are.

People who can afford this can afford the petty for it.

3vXT · 13-02-2009, 05:08 PM

Why not call it a bathurst ed. (or whatever)?

Most people that would buy a car like that are going to know what Bathurst is, the race is broadcast all over the world and the UK is part of that world. Some stupid UKerians are probably going to give it a little extra cred because the suspension was actually tuned on the bathurst track or some other crap. I don't think a Bathurst edition HSV will sell any worse over there than it would here, i don't think there are warehouses full of the last lot of holdens/hsvs/opels/whatevers that we sent over.

Stefan · 13-02-2009, 05:11 PM

Funny to read all the jumping up anfd down about fuel prices and how we are getting ripped.

But when our own car makers are charging us more for our cars than the ones they export which obviously incur additional charges like freight and additional R&D no one really comments.

**ebxr8240** · 13-02-2009, 05:14 PM

Tax's pay a big part...

4Vman · 13-02-2009, 05:15 PM

to be fair its a totally different car to the W427....

Chopped · 13-02-2009, 05:22 PM

Hope it gets on top gear UK

Betcha the W427 will be worth way more in 15 years time.

Bathurst is fairly well known around the world (thanks to videogames)

snappy · 13-02-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

to be fair its a totally different car to the W427....

Yeah your right this one is better.

**Falcon Coupe** · 13-02-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan

Funny to read all the jumping up anfd down about fuel prices and how we are getting ripped.

But when our own car makers are charging us more for our cars than the ones they export which obviously incur additional charges like freight and additional R&D no one really comments.

We have a choice when buying a car, we don't when buying petrol.

Rob · 13-02-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84RGE

i saw a HSV with that Stripe Package in sydney on the weekend i swear! nto sure about badging though!

I was about to post the same thing, saw the same white/black offset stripe package during the week.

4Vman · 13-02-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

I was about to post the same thing, saw the same white/black offset stripe package during the week.

GTS anniversary car....

mik · 13-02-2009, 07:37 PM

perhaps they are testing the water for potential sales, no doubt 417 kw`s at the fly will make it a fun car regardless what badge is on it.

Walt Kowalski · 13-02-2009, 07:58 PM

Early this morning I saw a NEW 565Kw FPV at a certain Ford dealer in Western Sydney.

It was XRGT Gold with the same a style of side stripes as the 1960's GT.

Apparently FPV is trying to do some sort of retro without invoking the GTHO nameplate.

The dealer principal assures me it will be released at the MMS and will be limited to no more than 500 units.

Obviously I put my name down for one.

Then the alarm went off and my wife nudged me to wake up.

I would have to be dreaming to think that Ford would make such a bold move wouldn't I?

GXL-351 · 13-02-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auslandau

Boy ... they get a huge discount over there! 60k difference and how much to get them there in the first place? How does that work? How much to buy one there and bring it back? Does the price difference of 40 odd kw's equate to the difference? Is it because you pay that amount for the 'special' badge'?
Bend over those that bought the WD40

The W427 is a factory built 7.0litre with full warranty from HSV.

When is Ford going to have a red hot crack at taking the mantle rather then playing catch up with stickers - never I would suggest.

Bag it all you want fella's but until such a time the Blue Oval has the balls or funds to do the same then it may be time to cut the crap.

If HSV weren't continually pushing the limits we would be driving around in 185kw FG GT's.

Sorry to hit a raw nerve but HSV have led the way............

SSVPom · 13-02-2009, 08:12 PM

The HSV 'Thruxton' or 'Castle Combe' just wouldn't have had the same ring to it though reckon !