Features

Similarly, the steering is too light and lifeless, and the clutch is so assisted it feels broken, but they're not things you're likely to complain about if you have this as your only car and are forced to battle the daily grind.

There's plenty not to like, though it has to be said that some bits are more significant than others. First up there's minor stuff like the handbrake. It's a shoddy moulding for a start, but the top-mounted ratchet button (so that the 'brake sits as one of the centre-console 'spars' when disengaged) is just plain annoying to use.

Similarly, some of the mouldings are cheap and sharp-edged and they tend to be ones you touch most.

Then there's the noise. The VXR8 is just too quiet in standard trim, losing 20mph in your head because it lacks the appropriate soundtrack.

More importantly, the current suspension set-up can generate an off-putting shudder on certain types of roads, especially under hard loads. It's not a killer, but isn't what you expect when the car rides so well under normal circumstances.

Also, when you switch off the ESP, it isn't really off. Get too sideways and the system will slap you around the face with a bong and a tap of the ABS. Which isn't ideal in this most hooligan of Vauxhalls.

You have to be seriously committed to get it to re-activate, but GM product liability being what it is, it's still there, and it still annoys drivers who want full control. What I can say (as long as you promise not to tell anyone), is that it can be deactivated fairly easily if you know what you're doing. Consult your local internet advisory service for further details.

What we end up with is a car that has loads to recommend it, but nevertheless has some niggling flaws that can't be classed as 'characterful'. The VXR8 delivers the same left-field thrill as the Monaro but with more usability - it just needs tweaking.

Happily, Vauxhall seems to have realised what VXR buyers want; everything I got most niggled about can be uprated; exhaust (100 of the 105 already ordered in the UK have the bigger pipes optioned), gearbox (by adding a RipShifter), brakes and suspension (developed by Tom Walkinshaw Racing).

In fact you can option what is effectively the '500' pack from the outgoing Monaro, which includes all that kit as well as a supercharger (bringing power up to 500bhp) for about six grand. That would make a fully-kitted VXR8 about £41k.

It wouldn't change the crap handbrake lever, but it might make me think about selling the kids to get one.

Tom Ford

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Vauxhall VXR8 road tests
Vauxhall VXR8 - May 29, 2007