Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer revealed

The largest load volume estate car in the UK has 425bhp. Meet the new Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer.

Vauxhall has already used high-displacement American V8s to create some very unique factory hot rods – namely the 552bhp VXR8 Bathurst S saloon and two-seater Maloo pick-up ‘ute’. Now it’s happened again with the VXR8 Tourer. Like the rest of the rear-drive VXR8 range, this estate is powered by a Corvette-derived 6.2-litre V8 producing 425bhp. Two gearboxes are available: a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual with heavy-duty clutch. Both transmissions work through a mechanical limited-slip differential, nabbing the Tourer a 0-60mph time of 4.9sec.

So the VXR8 Tourer is quick, but the neat bit is that it’s actually UK’s roomiest estate, offering an 895-litre cargo volume, expanding to an unprecedented 2000 litres once the rear seats are folded down. Up front, special eight-way adjustable HSV Performance bucket seat are standard in full leather trim. The VXR8 Tourer also gets Vauxhall’s Enhanced Driver Interface, which displays real-time power, torque and lateral g-force measurements.

The Tourer’s suspension is carried over from the saloon and Maloo – MacPherson struts with progressive rate coil springs up front and a multi-link independent configuration at the rear, while there’s a launch control system too – not many estates can boast that. 20in alloy wheels are also standard equipment.

Vauxhall says the VXR8 Tourer will cost £49,500, around £4500 more than the cheapest VXR8 saloon though notably cheaper than the 444bhp Audi RS4 Avant and 451bhp Mercedes C63 AMG Estate, while boasting much more boot space.