Vauxhall VX-S

[XTR]

I've been following the progress of S Sport for some time now. I first visited them about 18 months ago. At that time the company was experimenting with prototype bodies and it was difficult to tell how good the final product would be.

A lot has happened since I first saw those unpainted, glass fibre prototypes. Last week I saw the final product and to put it simply - it's stunning.

The VX-S is made by S-Sport with the full support of Vauxhall who obviously recognise the halo effect that this car will create for them. The cars are built on new chassis (although conversions of existing cars are also possible).

Seeing it in isolation you'd almost be forgiven for thinking it's a slightly modified VX, but once you take in the true dimensions or see it next to a standard car, the increase in size becomes far more apparent.

Increasing the size of the car hasn't upset the balance of the design but it has given the car a lot more presence.

Inside, S Sport has transformed the cabin. No longer is it a minimalist shrine to aluminium. The changes are all well executed, with a wooden veneer floor (looks better than it sounds) and tasteful changes to the soft furnishings and trim. The dash pod is particularly well designed.

Behind the driver sits the 300bhp General Motors 3.2 litre V6 (a twin turbo is also being considered). Given the light weight of the chassis, 300bhp is sure to provide a sensational experience. The motor is mounted in a custom built subframe which is mounted on to the original chassis. A good poke around underneath showed the mods to be well engineered - this is no cut and shut. Huge brakes were mounted on the show car - with that much power and the legendary Lotus chassis, the size of those discs may well be justified.

Subtle changes to the bodywork give the car a much more purposeful appearance and increases the size of the car to more GT style proportions.

New cars will be priced at around £45K. That pitches it below some of its obvious competitors and should bode well for S Sport and Henley Heritage who will be building them. The production target is just 10 cars next year. Build time is around 100 hours.

A track-ready version is being prepared for the Autosport Show in January and we hope to get behind the wheel of that in the new year. If it goes as well as it looks then we could be in for a real treat.

The show car is currently at Henley Heritage and they'd welcome visitors. Give them a call prior to visiting to make sure the car isn't being whisked off elsewhere though!

Source: PistonHeads


What a beauty!!! I like!!!

[[GSV]Trig]

OMFG!

Change the leather to black, get rid of the wooden floor, paint it black and I'll have one!

V6 on TB's....

[Lowe]

Throttle bodies. :|

Oh. My. Word. We need to hear that V6 being thrashed senseless. I hope the limiter is somewhere around 8,000 RPM

[TeePee]

Nice bit of teak decking.... thats what I like to see....

[Stoo]

Niiiiice

[unrealrocks]

Looks very nice - althogh the inside is pritty ugly I think.

[[GSV]Trig]

Originally Posted by Lowe

Throttle bodies. :|

Oh. My. Word. We need to hear that V6 being thrashed senseless. I hope the limiter is somewhere around 8,000 RPM

OI!!!!

I do TB's u do Turbo's ok!

Now bog off

[Zak33]

looks like my Dads boat inside, with wooden decks

That engine is gonna rip someone a new hole isn't it? sexxeh

Like the front air vents in the bumper.

[Lowe]

Originally Posted by [GSV]Trig

OI!!!!

I do TB's u do Turbo's ok!

Now bog off

ROFL

Oi, I've been listening to a throttle body (R19/Clio 16v) for ages. You XE boys have to bolt 4 on to make em sound like our F7R engine That's why I'm sick of that roar

[jon bda]

Not keen on the inside but mmm...V6 goodness with chortle bodies howling away behind your head...nice...

[Michael]

Based on the interior all I see is a done-up Elise, still, looks nice

[Howard]

What's with those brake discs? THey look like they've been spray painted. Lol

[[GSV]Trig]

Ceramic coated?

[Lowe]

I did wonder if they were ceramic. Might be a bit dodgy for the road though. I'll have to get Doll to have a look and see what he thinks, seeing as he's the brake know it all dude

[doll]

I believe they are Aluminium, the new Elise will have them also.

[Lowe]

Now that's tasty if it is ally discs - not many motors are that nutty to have discs that weigh as much as a packet of crisps