Follow Vauxhall's history in developing focused performance machines, starting at the very beginning over 100 years ago.
1911
Vauxhall C-10 Prince Henry – acknowledged by automotive historians as the world’s first production sports car (yes, Vauxhall created it!).
1919 - 1927
Vauxhall 30-98 – Britain’s first catalogued 100mph production car.
1961
Vauxhall Victor VX4/90 – warmed over Victor FB with twin carbs, an aluminium cylinder head and disc brakes. Was a bit of a ‘Q’ car.
1973
1973 Vauxhall Firenza HPF ‘Droopsnoot’ – low-volume performance model that in competition form put Vauxhall on the motorsport map once more.
1976
Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HS – spearheaded Vauxhall’s DTV (Dealer Team Vauxhall) rally programme in the Seventies.
1983
Vauxhall Astra GTE – Vauxhall’s first ‘hot-hatch; took the fight to VW & Ford for junior performance honours. Followed by 150PS GTE Mk.2 in 1985.
1990
Lotus Carlton – world’s fastest four-door production car with top speed of 176mph caused debates in Parliament, and a tabloid storm.
2000
Vauxhall VX220 – joint programme with Lotus resulted in ultra-quick, two-seater sports car that was the match of many more powerful/expensive exotica.
2003
Vauxhall Monaro – Muscle-bound, rear-driven V8 coupe with blistering performance allied to good road manners and refinement.
2005 - 2017
Vauxhall Astra VXR – performance derivatives of both Astra Mk.5 & Mk.6, ending with 280PS output and tenacious grip through sophisticated front differential.
2007
Vauxhall VXR8 – same powertrain as the Monaro, but with the added practicality of four doors. Evolved through various iterations over ten years to GTS-R model with nearly 600PS.
2007 - 2018
Vauxhall Corsa VXR – the original ‘pocket-rocket’ mixing up to 210PS performance with sling-shot handling.
