We say Bags of performance for little cash, but haemorrhages money and the interior is rather basic. A brilliant car nonetheless.Performance The VXR8 GTS is bred for performance and with a massive 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine under the bonnet it’s no surprise to hear that it returns some eye-watering performance figures.It takes the VXR just 4.9 seconds to clear 62mph with a manual transmission and a slightly ‘slower’ 5.0 seconds flat with an automatic box. That’s enough to reach a top speed of 155mph for the performance saloon. It’s also enough to get the VXR going from 50 to 70mph in 2.6 seconds in third gear. It’s rapid for a car so cheap to buy.Emissions Shockingly, the VXR GTS’s emissions and fuel economy returns are terrible. With an automatic transmission the saloon’s combined cycle fuel economy is just 20.6mpg and it emits 324g/km, too. With the manual transmission that figure improves slightly, very slightly, to 20.9mpg and 320g/km in CO2 emissions. That puts it in the most expensive VED tax band of M.Driving The VXR8 GTS is brilliant to drive and not just because its got a 6.2-litre beast under its bonnet. While that makes for fantastic straight line acceleration and speed, it’s also brilliant around bends and corners thanks to fat rear wheels and limited-slip differential providing plenty of traction and control.There’s also continuously adaptive suspension which reacts according to the road, driver and conditions to give plenty of grip. More impressive are the enormous disc brakes which are the largest ever seen on a Vauxhall road car can bring you to a halt from 62mph in just 36 metres.Feel There’s a tremendous growl that comes from the VXR GTS’s engine and that’s noticeable in the cabin, as is road noise from the chunky tyres and wind noise, too. But, it’s not enough to cause a problem and nothing unexpected for a performance saloon.It’s ultimately a budget performance saloon when compared to the likes of the BMW M5 and that’s most noticeable in the cabin but once again that’s only an issue if you do compare it to its much more expensive counterparts.It’s solid and makes obvious the sports potential of the VXR GTS.Space In terms of pure space, the VXR GTS is better than its rivals with a massive 486-litres of load space available in the boot. There’s also plenty of room for occupants in the front or rear making it a one-off in the performance segment.A major downside is the lack of flexibility in terms of the boot though. Where most cars allow rear seats to fold flat, the VXR GTS doesn’t which can make carrying larger items difficult. Only if they’re really big though.Equipment The VXR GTS is well equipped even if some of the technology lacks the refinement or executive qualities seen on its premium competitors. In the centre console there’s a brash Enhanced Driver Interface (EDI) which displays real-time performance information – including G-Force information. There’s also dual-zone climate control, electrically adjustable seats and parking sensors as standard.Price For a car of such power and poise, it’s a bargain but be weary of running costs. Pricing starts from £45,000 and rises to around £51,000 depending on optional extras.Quality The VXR is not quite as exclusive as the Audi RS4 or BMW M3 but it will certainly be reliable and sturdy enough to last. It uses plastics that would never be found on the RS4 or the M3 but there shouldn’t be any complaints, especially when you factor in the savings you’re likely to make on the initial purchase cost.Safety There’s a wide range of safety features and technologies on the VXR as standard including Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). There are six airbags too.Pros The VXR GTS is a fantastic drivers’ car but it also manages to mate practicality to its extraordinary performance. It’s also a bargain when compared to similarly powered cars, too.Cons The running costs of the VXR GTS are likely to be astronomical. It’s also fairly brash to look at and struggles with residuals.Alternatives Audi RS4, BMW M3, Mercedes C Class AMG
