corsa_godfather
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Registered: 6th May 03
Location: Greenock,Scotland
User status: Offline
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t first glance, the Vectra in the current issue of Auto Express magazine appears to be simply a bodykitted GSi hatchback. But the word Kompressor on the bootlid - German for supercharger - reveals this test car has a blown version of Vauxhall's familiar 3.2-litre V6. That means the company is turning its family favourite into a real BMW M3-chaser.
Insiders have revealed the newcomer produces around 290bhp - up from the 211bhp of the standard unit. Only problems with getting the power through the front wheels are holding it back from recording some giant-killing performance figures.
The car's development is being carried out by Vauxhall's favoured tuner Irmscher, which currently makes factory-approved styling products. At the moment, the supercharged GSi is only a one-off, but if customer interest is high, the motor will go into production. As the shots in the magazine reveal, the Vectra also has a more aggressive bodykit to match the extra power. A deeper front airdam incorporates vents to keep the bigger brakes cool, and the grille is the tuning firm's trademark 'chip cutter' design. These will be offered as optional extras at main dealers.
Irmscher is currently trialling the car to see if a supercharged V6 is a viable production possibility. If so, then the engine could find its way into the Vectra and the forthcoming Omega replacement by 2005. The tuner is also looking at other ways of developing the powerplant, including using twin-turbos instead of the supercharger to cut emissions.
Although our spies spotted the car in Germany, it will be coming to Britain next month. The Vectra will be at a performance Vauxhall day at Santa Pod raceway, Northamptonshire, on 15 June, so the Luton firm can gauge public opinion. As well as the hot newcomer, there will also be turbocharged Corsa. The 200bhp supermini has been created by Vauxhall's UK engineers and uses the VX220 Turbo's engine. Again, the car will be used to measure customer reactions. Tom Barnard
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