Monaro VXR in Auto Express
Discussion
Trashing the car round the Anglesey circuit, at least, the VXR was beaten by the CTS-V on the lap time, contrary to Clarkson's prediction. Despite a somewhat puzzling ranking system, both cars had a similar report card with gripes about the traction control (which permitted the VXR to spin), gearchange (probably the same one in both cars) and fading brakes (although the VXR was by far the worst of the cars tested for this).
However, putting aside the familial competition, it was worth noting that despite TG's slagging of the Caddy's price tag, the car wasn't much slower than an AMG 55 CLS or a mighty BMW V10 round the track, both of which start north of £62k and both of which compete as full-size 4 door sports saloons.
Whatever your preference, whatever your chosen weapon, the muscle car is back and it's getting better all the time. Roll on the LS7 engined CTS-VR.
However, putting aside the familial competition, it was worth noting that despite TG's slagging of the Caddy's price tag, the car wasn't much slower than an AMG 55 CLS or a mighty BMW V10 round the track, both of which start north of £62k and both of which compete as full-size 4 door sports saloons.
Whatever your preference, whatever your chosen weapon, the muscle car is back and it's getting better all the time. Roll on the LS7 engined CTS-VR.
caspy said:
To be fair to the 'Ro, CTS finshed 20th (last) 'Ro finished 12th. And how can it be that the Golf GTI is preferable to most of the others.
That's what I mean by puzzling. Some of the comments were inconsistent with the ranking - the Audi TT for example came 14th for no perceivable reason. LOL.
A better comparison would be the CTS-V versus a 4dr HSV. Not likely to happen though as you can't buy the 4dr here. Having said that, can you buy the CTS-V here?
My money would be on the R8 Clubsport mullering the CTS-V on a wet or dry track.
It is good to see the reappearance of Muscle Cars in Europe though & if I lived in a LHD country, the CTS-V would defo. be on my short list.
My money would be on the R8 Clubsport mullering the CTS-V on a wet or dry track.
It is good to see the reappearance of Muscle Cars in Europe though & if I lived in a LHD country, the CTS-V would defo. be on my short list.
A57 HSV said:
A better comparison would be the CTS-V versus a 4dr HSV. Not likely to happen though as you can't buy the 4dr here. Having said that, can you buy the CTS-V here?
My money would be on the R8 Clubsport mullering the CTS-V on a wet or dry track.
It is good to see the reappearance of Muscle Cars in Europe though & if I lived in a LHD country, the CTS-V would defo. be on my short list.
The CTS-V is a special order in the UK. I thought the VXR was an HSV? On that basis, why would a Clubsport with a smaller engine and lesser power be any better, given that the 5.7 VXR was also slower than the CTS-V on TG. Or am I missing some essential fact? LOL.
The latest Z series R8 Clubsport (6.0l) has not been messed about with for UK & USA use. It has a much nicer gearshift, something to do with noise regs. means that the new VXR doesn't get this & lower centre of gravity than new VXR. I think that the suspension/chassis set up on the R8 C/S is also superior. It might actually be quite different. Paul would know the differences I'm sure.
R8 C/S also has the option of factory fit 6 pot AP brakes, this would make a huge difference on the track.
All the articles I have seen & views from those on this & other forums would suggest that the 4dr handles better.
Maybe one day someone will do a comparison.
Actually a comparison with the 6.0 Monaro VXR v. Corvette would be more appropriate as they are both Coupes.
I really like the CTS-V, but I'm a bit puzzled as to why you keep singing its praises on an HSV forum? It & the Monaro are both old school muscle cars & Top Gear have featured both recently. Sure they both share GM parts, but so do many other GM products.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Friday 24th June 16:35
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Friday 24th June 16:43
R8 C/S also has the option of factory fit 6 pot AP brakes, this would make a huge difference on the track.
All the articles I have seen & views from those on this & other forums would suggest that the 4dr handles better.
Maybe one day someone will do a comparison.
Actually a comparison with the 6.0 Monaro VXR v. Corvette would be more appropriate as they are both Coupes.
I really like the CTS-V, but I'm a bit puzzled as to why you keep singing its praises on an HSV forum? It & the Monaro are both old school muscle cars & Top Gear have featured both recently. Sure they both share GM parts, but so do many other GM products.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Friday 24th June 16:35
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Friday 24th June 16:43
Fair point. Just thought you'd like to discuss something similar in spirit that you might meet on the road one day. However, you're joking about the VXR vs Corvette because they're both coupes, right? I think you'll find one's a sports car and the other one is a coupe and they're not comparable at all.
[quote]Fair point. Just thought you'd like to discuss something similar in spirit that you might meet on the road one day. However, you're joking about the VXR vs Corvette because they're both coupes, right? I think you'll find one's a sports car and the other one is a coupe and they're not comparable at all.[/quote]
Sure the Monaro has 4 seats, but the CTS-V is a 4dr sports saloon & you compare this to a VXR coupe. The 6.0 VXR shares much with the new Corvette & their performance figures aren't worlds apart are they, so why are they so uncomparable? No more so in my opinion than a CTS-V & a VXR. Just as much chance of a VXR owner meeting a Corvette as a CTS-V & I would argue that their spirit is pretty similar! Particularly if you compared the Aus. HSV GTO, with the better gearbox & AP brakes etc.
Sure the Monaro has 4 seats, but the CTS-V is a 4dr sports saloon & you compare this to a VXR coupe. The 6.0 VXR shares much with the new Corvette & their performance figures aren't worlds apart are they, so why are they so uncomparable? No more so in my opinion than a CTS-V & a VXR. Just as much chance of a VXR owner meeting a Corvette as a CTS-V & I would argue that their spirit is pretty similar! Particularly if you compared the Aus. HSV GTO, with the better gearbox & AP brakes etc.
Had the VXR been fitted with AP brakes (factory option in Aus., common mod. in U.K) that 1.85 secs. would have been significantly reduced. But like I said 1.85 secs. is not in the real world, worlds apart. Really comes down to how good you are at changing gear & reaction times. On the road, things could easily be reversed, depending on the drivers. For example I have no doubt whatsoever that Tiff Needell driving a VXR would very quickly leave me behind if I was driving a Vette.
Does the VXR share the same basic box as the Vette, I always thought it did? Certainly shares the same basic engine & arguably handles nicer than the Vette. Vette wins on its lower weight & has only 2 seats. But are they really worlds apart? I think they have many similarities!
I still think, that the comparison of these two 2dr cars is as realistic as comparing the CTS-V with the VXR. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree! I actually love all these cars & indeed all chevy powered vehicles old & new!
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Tuesday 28th June 13:47
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Tuesday 28th June 13:54
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Tuesday 28th June 13:55
Does the VXR share the same basic box as the Vette, I always thought it did? Certainly shares the same basic engine & arguably handles nicer than the Vette. Vette wins on its lower weight & has only 2 seats. But are they really worlds apart? I think they have many similarities!
I still think, that the comparison of these two 2dr cars is as realistic as comparing the CTS-V with the VXR. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree! I actually love all these cars & indeed all chevy powered vehicles old & new!
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Tuesday 28th June 13:47
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Tuesday 28th June 13:54
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Tuesday 28th June 13:55
The gearbox on the Z series is "slightly" improved, in real on road terms theres bugger all difference (as people who own the new cars are finding out), the r8 does have a better suspension setup and with the optional brakes would be better. Saying that the Caddy has had rave reviews and a lot of aussies would probably have to admit that caddy would probably take on the r8 and beat it, the caddy has a far superior chassis, better front end and much better up to date rear suspension unlike the 20 yr old HSV rear.
I ve got the R8 but wouldnt say no to the caddy
jay
I ve got the R8 but wouldnt say no to the caddy
jay
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