2002 Vauxhall VX220

Please note that the images were supplied by the vendor

Highlights

• Lovely, low mileage, unmodified VX220
• Comprehensive history file
• Suspension rebuilt with ‘Elise Parts’ kit
• Pure and rewarding driver’s car
• Cherished registration included

Overview

It’s hardly a name synonymous with sports cars, but Vauxhall needed an injection of pizazz at exactly the same time as Lotus desperately needed some money.

As a result, the VX220’s story goes a little like this: with the first-generation Elise about to be sidelined by crash safety legislation, Lotus didn’t have the funds to re-engineer the car to stay in production. It was new crash legislation that was the problem, and while Lotus had the engineering expertise to get around it, its piggy bank was empty.

An empty piggy bank was often overlooked by General Motors (some would argue a closer eye may have done it a few favours, but if it led to cars like the VX220, we don’t care). A deal was brokered between GM’s UK engineering team and the guys at Hethel, which would see Lotus meet its engineering challenges head-on (excuse the pun) if it allowed the General to share the new car’s architecture and create a sports car of its own.

The Vauxhall VX220, or Opel Speedster as it became known in the rest of Europe, was an Elise in all but appearance, other than its powertrain. While the Lotus used a Toyota engine for its second generation, GM used the 2.2-litre direct injection unit most usually found in the likes of the Vectra and Zafira. We’ll gloss over those other, rather tedious applications, though, as it was quite a punchy unit and in the eyes of many a better fit for the VX220 than the frantic, turbocharged 2.0-litre engine used in the VXR models.

Already collectable and on the up thanks to their rarity, VX220s are guaranteed future classics and make a great investment as well as being terrific cars to drive.

This one, in particular, is a car for the collector. A genuine, unmodified and unmolested standard VX220, it has been carefully maintained by enthusiastic owners from new and is presented in lovely condition, with a recent full suspension rebuild and a comprehensive history file.

History and documentation

• UK V5C in the name of the vendor

• MOT November 2025

• Original handbook, leather wallet, Network Q documents and service history book

• Two sets of keys

• Service booked stamped as follows: 2003 @ 460 miles (main dealer), 2004 @ 3,115 miles (main dealer), 2004 @ 4,587 miles (main dealer), 2006 @ 5,613 miles (main dealer), 2007 @ 6,720 miles (main dealer), 2009 @ 8,895 miles (Toyota dealer), 2010 @ 9,969 miles (Toyota dealer), 2011 @ 11,570 miles (Toyota dealer), 2012 @ 12,772 miles (main dealer), 2013 @ 13,745 miles (main dealer), 2014 @ 14,275 miles (main dealer), 2015 @ 16,747 miles (independent), 2016 @ 19,201 miles (independent), 2017 @ 20,790 miles (independent), 2018 @ 22,376 miles (independent), 2021 @ 25,427 miles (independent), 2022 @ 26,430 miles (independent), 2023 @ 27,063 miles (independent)

• Additional invoices showing full suspension refurbishment (£2,700) and additional parts and maintenance invoices throughout the car’s life

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Spare and basic cabin with lots of exposed metal for the totally immersive experience
• Leather seats in good condition, well looked after and regularly fed by owner
• Some wear to driver’s side seat bolster but not substantial
• Push-button start
• Stack dial pack
• Centre plastic cover between the seats and leather gear stick gaiter replaced by vendor
• Door handle surrounds replaced by vendor but show slight wear
• Heater controls slightly misaligned
• Momo steering wheel
• Original VX220 floor mats

Exterior

• Presents well with original red paint – may have seen some paint repairs in the past as chips and marks are minimal
• No cracks or crazing to fibreglass or evidence of past accident damage
• Minor chips on lower front clamshell and rear haunches
• Alloy body frame in seemingly good order
• Original wheels in good order, but one wheel has some small scratch marks
• Low mileage Bridgestone Potenza tyres in good visual condition, but may need replacing soon due to age
• Small dent to rear mesh air intake panel
• Car has always been kept in a climate controlled pod during current ownership

Mechanical

• 2.2-litre 4cyl 144bhp
• 0-60mph in 5.6 secs
• Five-speed manual
• Impeccable maintenance record
• Will have one more full service and new MOT ahead of sale
• Full "Elise Parts" suspension re-build kit fitted costing £2,700; parts that weren't replaced were cleaned, stripped and zinc coated
• A set of low mileage OEM Bilstein shocks were sourced from a member of the VX220's owners Facebook group as you cannot buy the VX220 original shocks anymore
• Battery in good order; always on trickle charge when not in use
• Note from a previous owner says that the timing chain and water pump were replaced at 20k miles
• Recent new passenger side rear engine mount.
• The seller tells us that the car has always been run on E5 super unleaded during his ownership

Summary

Who needs an Elise when for less outlay you can have a car that’s slightly more spacious and marginally more comfortable, but at a fraction of the price? The VX220 is a fabulous sports car, developed and engineered by some of the best in the business and built by Lotus on Vauxhall’s behalf, meaning that behind the humdrum badge it’s a thoroughbred modern classic sports car.

This one is a superb example, well-loved and carefully maintained and presented in terrific condition. One you’ll regret passing up, as it’s as good a VX220 as you’re likely to get.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Somerset.