Vauxhall says no to Chevrolet SS

Vauxhall has denied rumours that its VXR8 is about to be joined in the range by another rear-wheel-drive V8 muscle car. 

Speculation was rife that the VXR8 was set to get a sister model after General Motors’ Australian arm, Holden, signed a deal to sell its 2014 Commodore with a 6.0-litre V8 as the Chevrolet SS in the US. 

Holden’s performance division, Holden Special Vehicles, already supplies Vauxhall with the 425bhp VXR8 GTS and similarly powerful ClubSport saloons, plus the VXR8 Tourer and VXR8 Maloo pick-up, which are built in Australia on the platform shared by the Commodore and Chevrolet Camaro. 

Chevrolet teamed up with Holden as it needs a rear-drive V8 in NASCAR – its volume-selling Impala model is front-wheel drive. 

Yet a Vauxhall spokesman said: “We’re glad to have [cars like the VXR8] as they add spice to the brand, but we have no plans to expand the range.” 

Vauxhall says around 50 VXRs are sold annually, and that the cars are built to order. “If you come in and order one, you’ll get one, but we do not have a stock surplus,” added the spokesman. “The core cars of the VXR range will remain the Astra and the Corsa – that’s where we make the money.”

Chevrolet hasn’t ruled out adding the SS to its UK line-up.