The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is Britain's Answer to the Camaro ZL1

British buyers are getting a spoon full of American muscle with the new VauxhallVauxhallUnited Kingdom, 1857 > present31 models
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VXR8 GTSVauxhall VXR8 GTSUnited Kingdom, 2013 > present that takes the platform and 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from the Camaro ZL1Chevrolet Camaro ZL1United States of America, 2012 > present9 photos
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and forms it into a muscle sedan. The engine produces 576hp and 545lb-ft of torque, an increase of 150hp and 140lb-ft over the outgoing, LS3 6.2-liter V8 in the VXR8. The price increases by £5,000 over to VXR8 to £54,999, which is the cheapest new car with over 500hp in the UK. 

Vauxhall has not given acceleration or top speed specs for the car, but it will improve on the 4.9 second 0-60 time from the VXR8.

There will be two available transmissions - either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. 

"In its new GTS form the VXR8 offers colossal power and torque in a package that is more technology-led than ever before, yet still retains that unique VXR8-character that no BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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or MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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can match. It’s also around £20k less than its main rivals – the M5BMW M5Germany, 2012 > 200028 photos
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and E63 AMGMercedes-Benz E63 AMG SaloonGermany, 2013 > present4 photos
– yet has more power than either," said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Head of Branding.

The heart of the GTS is the 6.2-liter V8 with an Eaton supercharger pumping out 9psi of boost. The air is cooled with a water-to-air intercooler.

To match the power, the car gets Brake Torque Vectoring that works like a limited-slip differential to prevent wheels from slipping while accelerating hard or cornering. The brakes are upgraded over the previous generation with larger discs and calipers.

It uses a magnetic ride control suspension with Touring, Sport and Track settings. There is a second selector that adjusts the electronic aids and power steering weight with Touring, Sport, Performance and Track modes.

The VXR8 GTS is more than just an engine. The front end gets new graphics and a new front look with larger air intakes that give the car a twin-nostril appearance that are very, very similar to BMW's kidney grill. It has 75% more air intake area than the previous car to get power to the supercharger and cool the engine. At the corners, there are new LED running lights.

At the rear, there are new LED taillights and a non-functional rear diffuser. The exhausts are finished in shadow chrome to match the rear diffuser. The look is finished with 20in forged wheels. 

The interior gets a new instrument panel, center console and fake suede inserts on the door panels. The seats are covered in leather trim with eight-way power adjustment. New safety equipment includes blind zone alert, parking assist, a head-up display and forward collision alert.

Orders are open now, and deliveries will begin before the end of the year.