2005 Vauxhall Monaro VXR
 

Vauxhall's Monaro VXR - Powered by the Latest Corvette 6-Litre V8

Could this be the car to go where no Vauxhall has ever gone before? With 404 bhp of power supplied by the Corvette’s 6.0-litre LS2 V8, the new Monaro VXR is set to be the first ever production Vauxhall to top 180 mph, finally overtaking the Lotus Carlton to become the fastest ever Vauxhall.

The latest version of the company’s performance flagship takes over from the original Monaro VXR, which sold out within three months of going on sale earlier this year. The new car takes the VXR brand to even further extremes, with more power and torque than any other production car to wear the Vauxhall badge.

Under the new ventilated bonnet sits the new high-output 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine, which recently made its debut in the Corvette C6. As you’d expect from a supercar engine, power figures are impressive, with 404 bhp (up from the last model’s 388 bhp) and a massive 391 lb-ft of torque (compared to 376 lb-ft). Although performance figures have yet to be officially recorded, it’s expected that the VXR will be able to comfortably surpass the 177 mph record set by the Lotus Carton in 1990. A 0-60 time of around 5.0 seconds is also predicted.

But the new version of the Monaro VXR hasn’t just been built for outright speed. Along with the new engine, virtually the entire drivetrain has been upgraded with revised suspension and bigger brakes to ensure that the latest version can keep the power tamed while still being thrilling to drive. With its classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, the Monaro has already gained a reputation for being an enthusiastic driver’s favourite.

Since those enthusiasts also loved the way the last VXR looked, the styling changes have been kept to the bare minimum. To help the car breathe more efficiently and keep the engine cool, a pair of distinctive ‘nostril’ vents has been added to the bonnet, while the rear now gains quad exhaust tail pipes. New 10-spoke, 19-inch alloy wheels allow onlookers to see the new grooved discs and VXR-branded brake callipers.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but it’s expected that the new Monaro VXR will still cost half the price of other 180 mph supercars at around £37,000. The first cars will reach customers in March
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Technical Specifications:
Engine
Type: V8
Displacement cu in (cc): 364 (5970)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 404(301) / n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 391(530) / n.a.
Redline at RPM: n.a.
Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: n.a.
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in: n.a.
Weight lb (kg): n.a.
Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 5.0 (est.)
Top Speed mph (km/h): >180 (290) (est.)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.
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http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/06/monarovxr05_01.jpg
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/06/monarovxr05_02.jpg
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/06/m...r05_engine.jpg

{i searched TT and didn't find anything}

Marvellous. 180mph for (probably around) 30-35k.

Now let's teach MG Rover to build a 180mph car for under 40k.

It frustrates me - they spend all that money developing the SV which no-one will pay 70-80k for, I mean come on, what else can you buy for that sort of money? Then when they do go and outsource part of their product range they go and buy crap like that Tata Indica thing. Hmm. Probably best MG Rover didn't try and outsource the SV after all.

MGR is failing miserably yet again. BRITISH INDUSTRY IS GOING TO THE DOGS!!! :shock:

Right, I will calm down now...sorry to hijack your thread and turn it into my own rant Dunkinuts

^^^ i think its the same reason we don't have the same cars here in the US as the UK or any other country. The markers are trying to market a person that they think is in one place. But really are all of the world.

288 kph well .. hmm in my jap car i managed to get 240kph and kinda ran outta road :(

that thing is a BEAST!!!! i just wish they would import some into the US and beat down those damn GTO's

It is a GTO....

Holden Monaro = Pontiac GTO = Vauxhall Monaro VXR.

Its just a 2door Commodore :P

I like this beast...saw afew today on the roads...ohh btw, those hood scoops are purely just for form, they don't do a thing...no air can flow through to the motor...wonder why they didn't just cut it out... :|

It's not a bad car, why could't they put the same body kit off the Vauxhall on to the US GTO version? it looks better, and why do you guys get 404hp and were stuck with 350hp???

well the GTO is going to look like vauxhall here shortly i have been seeing and hearing rumors.

The VXR versions look great.the astra VXR looks sweet as hell aswell and also the vx220 vxr looks good.but this monaro is awesome.my favourite vauxhall :D

Well been a Astra driver I've grown to love Vauxhall. The Monaro and all VXR models are just a treat for me :D :!: VX220 is still my favorite, but I'd love a Monaro all the same :P Also that engine bay is the sweetest, thanks for the pics.

Well this is the upcoming VXR Monaro, the current one has the LS1 engine and only 387ps and that one is the equivalent of the US GTO. And the drop in performance there is probably primarily based on emissions regulations. This new one with the LS2 is not the same as the US GTO, unfortunate as it is for us...

And yeah, I think the VXR styling is much better than the Pontiac styling. Hope they change it soon.

I agree completely I went to look at a GTO about 2 months ago, and I was like "Ewww, I'll wait til I go back to the UK in a year or so and buy the Vauxhall thanks"

I wonder what the sales guy must have written on his customer report for that day?

for 2005 we are getting hood scoops and the ls2 rated at 395 i think, so all those 2004 GTO owners get shafted i guess. :?

the bonnet scoops have been put in to satisfy the US market. but i don't like what they did to the front grill looks some much better here.