Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer revealed
The UK's biggest estate car is actually a 425bhp V8 muscle car thanks to the new Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer
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.
