With a nitrous-injected 430bhp to play with, this Vectra VXR is taking the fight to its four-wheel drive successor...
![Generation Game](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5222/244047/59f096d5589cb/Generation-Game.jpg)
It’s easy to look at the Griffin scene in terms of a pre and postVXR world. As highlighted elsewhere in this issue of Performance Vauxhall, C20LET engine conversions ruled the roost in the decade leading up to the launch of the VXR brand in 2004, but the arrival of the Astra VXR, VX220 Turbo and Vectra VXR thereafter heralded a new era of Vauxhalls with high horsepower – cars wearing a VXR badge guaranteed rapid pace from the off. There was no longer a need to raid Cavalier or Calibra Turbos for their turbocharged two-litre engines and celebrated six speed gearboxes.
Of course, it would take a while for the cost of buying a used VXR to come down to the point where many modifiers felt comfortable enough to tinker, but today, a good Mk5 Astra VXR can be bought for as little as three grand (get hold of our buying guide in the June/July edition of Performance Vauxhall by visiting bit.ly/trackspecial). Moreover, a high number of the Vectras, Novas, Corsas and Astras that were retro-fitted with C20LETs are currently being raided for their borrowed powerplants so that now valuable Cavalier and Calibra Turbos can be returned to their original mechanical specification!
MOVING FORWARD
That’s not to say there hasn’t been significant development when it comes to the VXR range since its introduction (marked by the arrival of the Monaro VXR at the Birmingham NEC Sunday Times Motor Show thirteen years ago). The Vectra VXR and its turbocharged 2.8-litre V6, for example, went through a number of changes, including ECU software, cam profile, air box design, exhaust and IDS suspension upgrades, during its low volume three-and-a-bityear production run, resulting in a shift in standard power to the 280bhp mark by the time the model was replaced by the Insignia VXR in 2009.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Oct - Nov 2017 من Performance Vauxhall.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Oct - Nov 2017 من Performance Vauxhall.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![Three Of A Kind](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/244047/59f08d18e0adc/crp_Three-Of-A-Kind.jpg)
Three Of A Kind
Whether you’re a fan of track-friendly fast-road cars or dedicated circuit racers, this trio of Astra VXRs has you covered…
![Generation Game](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/244047/59f096d5589cb/crp_Generation-Game.jpg)
Generation Game
With a nitrous-injected 430bhp to play with, this Vectra VXR is taking the fight to its four-wheel drive successor...
![It Was Fantastic, Nail-biting Entertainment for Our Followers, but the Consequences of Error Were Severe](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/207866/58ac2ab80a527/crp_It-Was-Fantastic-Nail-biting-Entertainment-for-Our-Followers-but-the-Consequences-of-Error-Were-Severe.jpg)
It Was Fantastic, Nail-biting Entertainment for Our Followers, but the Consequences of Error Were Severe
In the Second Part of Our Big Interview With England’s Number One Rally Driver, Chris Ingram, We Look Back at His Amazing First Year as an Adam R2 Pilot for Opel Motorsport…
![Back in B​​​​​lack](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/200173/58b41d431fa67/crp_Back-inBlack.jpg)
Back in Black
Following a colourful motorsport career and three decades laid up in storage, Garry Morgan’s 255bhp Chevette HSR has been given a new lease of life…
![Power Maxed Racing and Vauxhall for BTCC](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/200173/58b422f55d82e/crp_Power-Maxed-Racing-and-Vauxhall-for-BTCC.jpg)
Power Maxed Racing and Vauxhall for BTCC
In incredibly exciting news, Automotive Brands – the owner of Power Maxed Racing – has announced a commercial partnership with Vauxhall Motors that will see twin Mk7 Astras star in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship from 2017 onwards, almost three decades after John Cleland won his first BTCC title as a works driver piloting a Mk2 Astra GTE.
![Split Personality](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/244047/59f07c4d1f767/crp_Split-Personality.jpg)
Split Personality
Ryan Davies’ 424bhp Mk2 Astra GTE is half show car, half race car, and it’s heading for the tens…
![Minty Fresh](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/244047/59f08e760d252/crp_Minty-Fresh.jpg)
Minty Fresh
Complete with Cliff Motorsport body styling, Steva Armstrong’s cool Calibra Turbo is one of the cleanest Vauxhalls on the show and shine scene…
![True North](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/244047/59f0933f35571/crp_True-North.jpg)
True North
Once again, MW Performance invited ow ners of Vauxhall V8s to come together for a day of fun in Chester...
![Tour Of Duty](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5222/244047/59f098ea54bfb/crp_Tour-Of-Duty.jpg)
Tour Of Duty
Those of you who read our last BTCC report will recall how the Power Maxed Racing team were looking forward to Snetterton after their summer ‘break’…
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Winging It
JULIAN ZAFIRA 1.9 CDTi