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Welcome to the Vauxhall VX220 Turbo page
In 2005, quite out of the blue, my wife announced she wanted a sports car. A quick pinch to make sure I wasn't dreaming and it was into research of what was available. We started by trying the ubiquitous Mazda MX5, and moved on through various TVR's, a Porsche Boxster and the Lotus Elise. It was while we were contemplating the Lotus that we decided to look at the VXT as there were a couple in a nearby Vauxhall dealer. I guess, like many, we hadn't previously considered them due to the Vauxhall label. Initially we tried a used naturally aspirated VX220, and were pretty impressed. However, the dealers had a new turbo demonstrator and offered us a test drive. I knew before we even went out in it this would be the one for us. Not only does it have shattering performance for the price, but also awesome handling, stunning looks and with the tight access through the small doors and the highly raked seats feels exciting even when you just want to potter around.
.jpg "The first hurdle, tricky door access")
The VXT has many similarities to the Lotus Elise; hardly surprising as it was designed and manufactured by Lotus at Hethel in Norfolk. However, there's actually surprisingly few interchangeable parts. The layout (mid-engine, rear wheel drive) is common, although the engine is a cast iron block, 2 litre, turbocharged 16 valve unit developed primarily for the Astra turbo. This produces 200hp, and linked to a Getrag 5 speed gearbox gives a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 151 mph.
The body styling is more angular than the Elise, and tends to polarise opinion. Another significant difference is the use of 17" wheels (Elise is 16"), which were apparently a Vauxhall styling rather than performance requirement.
The frame is bonded aluminium, and for structural reasons has a high wide sill. Together with the low roof (the picture shows the optional hardtop fitted) this means access is definitely an acquired skill. In the Top Gear review (where the final conclusion claimed it was the definitive sports car of the moment) Jeremy Clarkson, at 6 feet 5 inches, made an especially entertaining meal of getting in and out.
Our particular car had the optional two-tone leather upholstery pack.
Towards the end of our deliberations on which car to buy we had whittled the candidates down to the VXT or a Porsche Boxster. As well as the financial considerations; new VXT vs used Boxster, maintenance and parts costs, manufacturers warranty, etc, the main difference was that if you sat in the Boxster and shut your eyes it could have been any well-engineered modern sporty saloon car. However sit in the VXT and you just know you're in something special, the reclined firm seats, the small steering wheel, the aluminium structure, and that was probably the defining difference between the two, for us anyway.
Here's the most common view as seen by other drivers. The rear with the signature vertical twin exhausts.
For anyone that wants to find out more there's a particularly good owners forum.
We kept the VXT for just over 2 years and 12000 miles. We sold it when the children reached an age when they wanted their own cars, but managed to keep enough cash back to buy the Westfield as well!