[Invinsible]

Few will claim that Vauxhall’s storming VXR8 super-saloon is lacking in the power stakes, but just in case there were any doubters, the Bathurst S Edition will put them straight or indeed sideways...

Thanks to the addition of a Walkinshaw Performance 122 Supercharger, the Bathurst S dispenses 560 V8 horsepower, compared with the standard car’s 431 horsepower, and produces searing acceleration throughout the rev-range and a spine-tingling, banshee wail when you hit the loud pedal.

The Bathurst S Edition joins the normally aspirated Bathurst Edition at the top of the Vauxhall family tree, with both cars receiving a raft of technical and cosmetic upgrades over the standard VXR8. Only a limited number of Bathurst Editions will be sold through selected Vauxhall retailers.

To exploit the Bathurst’s greater power potential, six-pot front and four-pot rear callipers are now standard on both models, along with stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers. The bespoke damper units have 15 separate valve settings with independent corner adjustment for the owner’s preferred setup.

Dynamically, both Bathursts retain the VXR8’s much praised ride quality, but body control is enhanced and the handling made more exploitable for the enthusiastic driver.

At the heart of the Bathurst S is Walkinshaw’s 122 Supercharger, which not only boosts power by 30 per cent, but escalates torque from an eye-catching 550Nm to an eye-watering 715Nm. Such is the strength of the LS3 V8 engine that extracting bigger figures would have been possible, but retaining the VXR8’s driveability and durability was Walkinshaw’s priority.

In fact, the 122 Supercharger is so much more than just a bolt-on blower. The comprehensively engineered package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map, while the standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.

As with most supercharged cars, the S’s power delivery is exceptionally linear, with a huge slug of torque available from very low down in the rev range; but push the engine towards its redline and there’s no let up in the car’s performance, just a seamless stream of power.

Outside, both Bathursts are instantly recognisable by their distinctive graphic packs, front fog light covers and ‘Bathurst’ badges (only the addition of a discreet ‘S’ badge reveals the supercharged model’s extra 129PS), while inside a console-mounted badge showing the car’s build number complements the ‘Walkinshaw Performance’ tread plates found inside each door opening.

Putting icing on the cake for serious drivers is the option of the new Bi-Modal Exhaust, which is available on both Bathurst models. Raising power by up to 10PS, the ingenious system allows drivers to select one of two noise settings: ‘Street’, with an upper limit of 92dbA, or ‘Optimum’, which releases the LS3 V8’s full 102dbA. The two-and-a-half inch diameter system is manufactured from stainless steel with unique chrome tail-pipe finishers and costs £1600.

Both Bathurst models retain the VXR8’s standard colour palette, and can also be specified with optional 20” alloy rims at £1500. List price for the Bathurst Edition is £37,995 – just £2757 above the standard VXR8 – while the Bathurst S costs £44,995.5

Chassis
Brakes (Front) 6-pot caliper disc
Brakes (Rear) 4-pot caliper disc

Wheels Optional 20 inch
Suspension Stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers

Drivetrain
Layout Front Engine, RWD
Transmission 6 speed conventional manual with high-torque capacity clutch

Engine
Type: Supercharged LS3 V8
Induction Walkinshaw 122 Supercharger
Displacement 6.2 liters
Horsepower 560 bhp (570 with optional high-performance exhaust system)
Torque 528 lb-ft. (715 Nm)

[Nitin]

Nice! reminds me of the Pontiac G8!

[zibby]

its a same car with different badge and facial change. can't figure out whats up with the number plate? (DESI RED)

[akshay4587]

Originally Posted by zibby

its a same car with different badge and facial change. can't figure out whats up with the number plate? (DESI RED)

Nice car
Even I read it as DESI RED
its DE5I RED

[ananthkamath]

Hope they make a cut-price version for the US: $65k is a little too much for a Pontiac.

Oh BTW, the license plate is DESIRED, not DESI RED...LOL.

[ImmortalZ]

Top Gear loved this car when they compared it to the Chrysler 300 and a Jag which I don't remember the name of.

Why won't they release such cars here? Oh yeah, mileage kitna hai?

[Nikhilb2008]

Lovely!! I'm waiting for Top Gear to review this!

[abhinav.gupta88]

If i remember correctly this is the one they tested on some beach kinda place.
Where it performed astonishingly.

[Joz]

WOW! 560 horses is insane. With out the 'Bath', the car is sold in the middel east as the Chevrolet CSV CR8 producing 425 HP. I almost bought a used one - but thanks to the recession i am scaling down to something more sensible!

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by abhinav.gupta88

If i remember correctly this is the one they tested on some beach kinda place.
Where it performed astonishingly.

Wales I think.

Later, the updated version of the car was tested by Hammond with those Japanese drifters. Lovely episode!

[Brabus E V12]

Amazing car I must say!

And what a time to launch a 38 Grand, 6.2 Litre 560 Horsepower VAUXHALL!

[srijit]

Isnt it actually a Holden? From Australia?

[ImmortalZ]

Yes. It's a HSV Clubsport R8.

[sujaylahiri]

The driver looks tiny inside that car.