12. VAUXHALL VXR8 GTS-R

After 117 years of automotive diversity, we reach Vauxhall’s 12th decade as Britain’s oldest surviving car and commercial brand. Now part of Groupe PSA, Vauxhall continues to manufacturer cars and vans in the UK, and will be at the forefront of the electric technology that will underpin cars across its range in the coming months and years. However, we end this chapter of its history in a blaze of supercharged V8 glory with the epic VXR8 GTS- R, the most powerful production car in the company’s 117-year history.

Vauxhall’s blue- collar VXR8 series hit UK shores in 2007, and evolved through a variety of ever more powerful derivatives, ending with this VXR8 GTS- R model. Powered by an evolution of the previous GTS’s supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine, it produced 595PS (up from 576PS) and 740Nm of torque. Unfortunately, production of the Holden Commodore model on which the GTS- R was based came to an end in Australia in October 2017, when Holden’s manufacturing plant finally closed.

As befits its last- of-line status, the GTS- R is no ordinary VXR8 – and in this form it was exclusive to the UK, too. Sending drive via a limited slip differential to the rear wheels, the GTS- R retained the previous GTS’s clever torque vectoring system, but added an upgraded braking system with six-piston, monoblock calipers and 410mm discs up front. In addition, the GTS- R wore all-new 20in forged alloy rims of 10in width at the rear. Visually, the GTS- R had a subtle refresh, with a new front fascia, splitter, wings and carbon fibre vents, while at the rear there was a new-look diffuser, spoiler (with carbon fibre upper), lower panel and quad exhaust outlets with diamond-shaped exhaust tips. Just 15 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS- Rs came to the UK, at an on-the-road price of £74,500.