gavriil

Who says lightning doesn't strike twice? As well as being the first magazine to reveal the sensational new Vauxhall VX Lightning, Auto Express has become the first behind the wheel as well.

When the high-voltage VX220 replacement took a bow earlier this year, we knew we simply had to have a go. And now, two months later, our wish has come true. We grabbed the opportunity to fire up the car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it took pride of place on Vauxhall's stand.

Based on the Pontiac Solstice, revealed at the 2002 Detroit Motor Show, the model has been styled exclusively in the UK. Powered by a supercharged 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine, the Lightning is bigger than the current VX, which shares its platform with the Lotus Elise. At the front, the Lightning gets angular wings and an arcing bonnet. Further along the body, the classic looks are enhanced with short overhangs and a carbon fibre undertray - and there's even a practical boot. Twin rollover hoops are hidden beneath the beautifully curved bodywork.

Massive alloy wheels - 19 inches at the front, and a staggering 20 inches at the rear - fill the arches. There are no door handles, but you gain access to the interior by pressing a discreet button just ahead of the roll hoops.

You'll need to drop yourself carefully into the floor-mounted, leather-clad seats; the driving position is incredibly low, but very comfortable. The button steering wheel is moulded to the shape of your hands and the pedals are neatly spaced. The aluminium gearlever, meanwhile, is mounted high in the transmission tunnel, and shifts are only a wrist flick away. There's a great view of the road ahead, but thanks to the low seats, you don't feel exposed.

Starting the car is simple. Flick a switch under the dashboard to connect the fuel pumps, then press a big red button mounted in the centre console. The engine spins eagerly into life before settling to an urgent idle.

At first, you could easily be forgiven for thinking the exhaust sounds very much like the current VX Turbo's. But as you dip the clutch, select first gear and head for the open road, a significant change takes place - and it's all down to the supercharger.

Floor the throttle and the compressor wails noisily. With the engine producing 240bhp and 305Nm of torque, the Lightning flashes forward. More urgent at low revs than the Honda S2000, and as tuneful as the Porsche Boxster, the car is great fun to drive. Gearchanges are short, but the ratios are surprisingly well suited to the engine.

The steering is needle-sharp, delivering great precision, and the only thing that reminds you the Lightning is a concept rather than a production model is the high gloss finish to the trim.

Even the suspension feels remarkably advanced, offering a great deal of stability. However, cast in aluminium, the independent set-up creaks and groans over big bumps, and feels too stiff for comfort on long journeys.

Pricing is not confirmed, but is likely to be around £23,000. However, bear in mind that the firm is in no hurry to get the car on sale. With order books just opened for the new VX Turbo, it will be 2005 before a production Lightning hits the road. The countdown begins. Dan Strong

Python2121

i dont think we'll ever see it, and especially for that price

whats the toruqe on that in ft-lb?

gdubb

I very much like that for sure. I know we wont get it still its awsome though

Black CL-S 4-Life

Kinda reminds me of the Pontiac Solstice.

astro

it is the solstice...GM owns Vauxhaul...

Black CL-S 4-Life

I didn't read the whole article.

gavriil

I think both this car and the Solstice will go into production.

1SICKLEX

This car is awesome! It's all over the EVO, Top Gear, CAr mags overseas. Gavril, good catch, I also think they will buld both. For 20-25k too,.

Moog-Type-S

Should be around 225 ft-lb of torque.

cmark

I dig the wheels.

Nashua_Night_Hawk

everything look nice other than the dashbord... sucks!

gavriil

Craig Cheetham

Lightening doesn't strike twice - that's the message from GM, which has sensationally axed plans to build Vauxhall's VX Lightning, successor to the VX220.

Speaking at the Frankfurt Motor Show, GM chairman Bob Lutz said: "A decision will be announced in January, but it's very unlikely that the Lightning will be built because it doesn't comply with European pedestrian safety laws. To do so, it would need a smaller engine or a pedestrian-friendly bonnet, neither of which is a production possibility."

Instead, the Lightning's rear-wheel-drive chassis will underpin a new Saab sports car, to be unveiled next year. The two-seater will be the firm's first rear-drive car, and its first sports model since the Sonnet was axed in 1974.

Lutz added: "We're looking to at least double Saab output over the next two to three years and will introduce new products starting with the 9-2, then the sports car and other projects."

The move is linked to GM's attempt to conquer Europe with well known US brands. Cadillac will be first to hit the UK, following its withdrawal two years ago because of a slump in sales. At the time, the Seville luxury saloon struggled to win over buyers, but a wholly new model range including RHD versions of the CTS saloon, XLR roadster and SRX off-roader will be sold through specialist Vauxhall dealers.

Meanwhile, Chevrolet is returning to Britain, initially with next year's Corvette C6, followed by a new range specifically designed for European markets.

nandowong

that car is awesome. btw: whats with pedestrian safe bonnets? if you get hit by a car you are pretty much done

gavriil

Well, in Europe there is huge emphasis on pedestrian safety in the past 2 years. Europeans emphasize overall vehicle safety more than Americans do. So every couple of years, they come with a new craze. This is the latest one.

By the way, one of the reasons, front pop-up lights have but disappeared on (mainly) sports cars, is because of that reason. Pedestrian safety issues.

heyitsme

they should take that chevy line specifically designed for the european market and bring it here. hopefully the new vette will be something impressive inside and out.

gavriil

Although it sounded totally hopeless for production 6 months ago, the VX Lightning will go in production as a 2005 model. Thanks to Lutz and the Kappa platform. Expect lots of parts to be used from the Solstice and Saturn Curve Concept.

gavriil

Lightning Ready To Strike


hile the Corvette was stealing the limelight, there was great news on another sports car that is coming to the UK. The Vauxhall VX Lightning has been given the green light at last!

This is because General Motors unveiled a production version of the Pontiac Solstice at the Detroit Motor Show this week - and that means the Luton firm now has the platform it needs to build its VX220 replacement. To provide the underpinnings for both cars, GM was forced to develop an all-new chassis called Kappa, on which the company also based the Chevrolet Nomad and Saturn Curve concepts, which were unveiled at Detroit, too.

A Vauxhall insider confirmed: "This gives us the go-ahead for our edition of the Solstice." The car's aggressive styling is likely to fail strict safety tests, so a more pedestrian-friendly shape is expected when the VX Lightning goes on sale here next year.

Source: AutoEpxress

Chaptorial

Can't say much about the interior but overall that car does look pretty sick.

gavriil

Vauxhall's Ferrari Beater - - Source: AutoExpress

Meet the Vauxhall with a better power-to-weight ratio than a Ferrari 360M. This outrageous sports car is called the S Sport VX320, and as the name suggests, it is a mighty 320bhp version of the lightweight VX220.

Available this summer and weighing only 900kg, the sportster has a supercharged 3.0-litre V6, giving a power-to-weight ratio of 356bhp per tonne. It has a re-engineered chassis and should be capable of 0-60mph in four seconds, with a 160mph top speed. The car draws inspiration from Vauxhall's EcoSpeedster concept (bottom image), and shares only its doors with its standard sibling. As a result, it is 170mm longer and 100mm wider.

While the VX320 isn't officially endorsed by Vauxhall, the firm has given tacit backing to S Sport, of Royston, Herts. Bosses from both firms are in talks about supplying the model as a complete machine for around £45,000. However, initially it will be available only through Allon White Sports Cars (0845 3457666) as a conversion. That will cost £18,000-£20,000 on a new or used VX220.

gavriil

Wow, look at the price.

nandowong

gavriil

New V-XS Is Ready To Blow - - By Craig Cheetham - - - Source: Autoexpress

Move over Ferrari, there's a Vauxhall on your tail! These are the first pictures of the fastest-ever VX220, out this summer - and it's nearly ready for the road.

We first told you about the V-XS in issue 799. It's the brainchild of tuning specialist S-Sport, and tips the scales at only 900kg. This gives the car a power-to-weight ratio of 365bhp per tonne - more than a Ferrari 360M.

S-Sport boss Simon Scleater explained: "We set out to build the ultimate expression of what could be achieved with a VX220. The finished model combines the best elements of our ideas with Vauxhall's original design. We are very excited about its prospects."

Power comes from a supercharged 320bhp 3.0-litre V6, and Scleater reckons the car will sprint from 0-60mph in less than four seconds, before going on to a top speed somewhere around 160mph. S-Sport, which is based in Royston, Hertfordshire, has had to modify the VX's bodywork to accommodate the larger engine. This means the rear is now sloped in the style of Vauxhall's EcoSpeedster concept, which was seen at the 2002 Paris Motor Show.

The front end has also been extensively redesigned. Our photos of the unfinished car show where a new mesh grille will be fitted, flanked by additional air scoops. Meanwhile, the sills, arches and front and rear valances have been given a sportier look, meaning the only panels retained from the standard VX are its doors. While not officially backing the car, Vauxhall is very interested in S-Sport's work, and the two firms have discussed plans to offer the V-XS as an exclusive limited edition.

Initially, the model will be available directly from S-Sport, or through Allon White in Cranfield, Bedfordshire (08453 457666), as a conversion. It will cost about £20,000 on top of the price of a new or used VX220.

nandowong

bottom pics looks tits