Vauxhall VX220 "V8XS" By Caral Automotive 2008

[JR98]

The Vauxhall VX220 is one of the forbidden fruits of the GM product portfolio, and this heavily modified, 4.2-liter supercharged V8-equipped version dubbed the Caral V8XS makes it all the more painful. At 450 HP, the Jaguar-sourced motor certainly would light a fire under the slinky two-seater, but the powertrain isn't the only place upgrades happen. The entire interior gets restyled with some darn nice-looking leather and a new gauge cluster with built-in lap timer. And, of course, who could pass on dropping a widebody kit on a car with those kind of upgrades?

This is not a new pretender to the "supercar club" world, although its specification might earn it a place there, but a highly specialised and exclusive conversion for the award winning Vauxhall VX220. A comprehensive kit of parts is available, allowing owners the option of building their own sports GT car, with a staggering 475bhp per tonne power to weight ratio and race car inspired handling from its Lotus designed aluminium chassis and classic longitudinal mid-mounted V8 supercharged engine and 6 speed close ratio transaxle.

The rest of the car is upgraded to cope with the increased power with new lightweight GT style composite bodywork, redesigned double wishbone suspension, CNC machined aluminium uprights, 4 piston calipers and 18” wheels and tyres. In essence only the doors and windscreen are retained from the standard VX220.

With a wheelbase that is longer than a Porsche 911, Lotus Esprit or Ford GT40 and a host of redeveloped components the V8XS is best defined as a bespoke V8 sportscar which uses an aluminium chassis from the VX220, rather than a VX220 with a bigger engine. A completely new interior has also been designed for the car, helping to distance it from its smaller brothers, featuring all leather trim in a choice of colours, and a bespoke Caral designed instrument panel, with in built data logging capability.

The car is available in RHD or LHD configuration and can be built by Caral Automotive using a brand new chassis. Engines and gearboxes are supplied by Caral Automotive as brand new items direct from their respective manufacturers. With prices of standard VX220’s now well below £10,000 the finished cars represent excellent value for money, given the outstanding performance from the 450bhp engines and the lightweight 950kg kerb weight.