The VXS range of cars were originally developed by Caral Automotive for the GM Opel Speedster and Vauxhall VX220 models, wIth support from Vauxhall Motors UK. Two prototype VX220's were pulled and teased to produce a true GT sportscar, utilising the best parts of the base car.
This included the Lotus designed bonded aluminium chassis, all cars were built for GM by Lotus at their Hethel, Norfolk site alongside their Elise and Exige brothers. The cabin, doors and windscreen are also retained unaltered to ensure that GM standards of NVH and water ingress are maintained for the driver and passenger.
The original transverse GM 4 cylinder engine and gearboxes were removed to make way for a longitudinal V6 engine, normally found in the GM Vectra and Omega models. Longitudinal or "north-south" orientation of the engine and gearbox follows best practice for high performance, all F1 cars and Le Mans sportscar use a longitudinal engine installation as well as current Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and Porsche's etc.
<TABLE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1px; WIDTH: 100%; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; HEIGHT: 100px; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px"> Fitting the engine longitudinally does however require a longer wheelbase, the VXS cars are 170mm longer than their VX220 cousins, and so the original panels were modified.
The decision was also made to give the car GT styling with a new hardtop and engine cover. However the design still allows cars to be used with original soft tops, giving owners the option of open top motoring, weather permitting!</TD><TD style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px">
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A new rear subframe, designed using modern Computer Aided Design CAD systems, replaces the original item as a bolt on component, so that no changes to the award winning aluminium chassis are required. The lightweight subframe also incorporates new engine, gearbox and suspension mounts.
New wishbones with uprated bushings and joints along with larger wheels and tyres increase the car's track by 100mm adding to the aggresive feel of the car. The list of changes to the car is substantial and encompasses wheel bearings, brakes, cooling system, gearchange, interior etc etc..
Originally the company only planned to build two cars for Vauxhall Motors to use for promotional purposes, however given the level of interest in the car, the decison was made to put it into limited production using the GM Ecotec V6 engine and a comprehensive set of components allowing customers to modify their own cars.
Two models are now available the V6XS with GM V6 engines and the new V8XS utilising the Jaguar developed 450bhp 4.2l V8 supercharged engine.
