As planned, the UK market has gotten their allocation of just 15 units of the HSV GTS-R at the end of last month, each one attached to a £74,500 price tag - or roughly AU$125k. Of course, they’re all badged as as Vauxhalls but are otherwise identical to the newest (and instantly classic) Aussie beast.
The cars arrived at the end of June, but it was only now that GM’s British marque took spent the time to take one out and have it photographed more extensively and on the move. The car on seen here is one finished in Slipstream Blue, presumably the same unit they fielded at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed.
While the exterior looks to be unchanged, featuring the same gunmetal forged SV Panorama 20-inch alloy wheels, hunkered aero kit, and carbon fibre bonnet vents and fender sills, the interior does seem to have had some minor tweaks applied to it. Vauxhall has stuck to the standard leather wrapped sports steering wheel and gear shifter, contrary to earlier reports which indicated the UK market would receive the Alcantara option fitted.
Speaking of which, the electrically adjustable HSV Podium seats looks to be retained together with their mixed leather/Alcantara trim. Of course, there’s the 8-inch MyLink infotainment system that’s paired with the standard 9-speaker BOSE audio system taking centre stage, while the prominent GTS-R logo sits next to the front passenger air conditioning vent.
Just like its siblings that remained in Australia, the UK-spec car’s GM LSA 6.2-litre V8 lives under its bonnet, generating 435kW and 740Nm thanks to an Eaton supercharger running at 1.9 bar, a stand-alone water to air charge cooling system, bi-modal air-intake system, and high-flow exhaust manifolds and exhaust system.
A 0-100km/h sprint can be dispatched in 4.2 seconds while top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. Drive heads to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. However, like the car shown here, a 6-speed manual is also available.
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