How far has the super saloon come in sixteen years?
If you haven’t had the chance yet, take a look at the VXR8 vs Lotus Carlton test on the Drivers Republic web site (www.drivers-republic.com). Naturally you would assume that the more powerful newer VXR8 would be the quicker round Silverstone, which it is but not by the margins you may imagine. It is a testimony to how good the original super saloon Vauxhall actually was and how well Lotus engineered the chassis in the first place.
Watching the two on track it is interesting to see how much body roll the VXR8 has and its general lack of composure through the corners. The Lotus by comparison appears to be a lot better tied down at the back and neater through all the bends. I know the former isn’t designed to be an out and out track car but it does appear to be a little soft.
I shouldn’t really be surprised by this, having owned the VXR’s predecessor, a HSV GTS UK VT1. That too, I always felt was a bit too soft to be a proper sporting saloon and the steering lacked feel making it awkward to drive quick on Britain’s narrow roads. Unfortunately I have not had the chance to try the newer model but I did assume that this is one of the aspects of the old car that would have been improved.
So, there it is. Sixteen years of development. Despite the Robocop body kit and the almost comically small wheels, I would still choose the Lotus over the VXR any day.
And before any body comments, yes I know the M5 and RS6 et al are all quicker and technically better but personally I think they lack something in comparison to the Lotus and the VXR. Character - something both the Vauxhall's have in abundance.