Vauxhall cranks up the power

Police drivers will be keen to 'familiarise' themselves with a couple of new Vauxhalls, not least the Vectra VXR that so readily helped one officer achieve 159mph.

The 2007 Vectra VXR's muscles bulge all the way to 276bhp from its turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 engine.

With the added grunt, the Vectra now hits 60mph from rest in 6.1 seconds, although Vauxhall has spared the blushes of the boys in blue by not quoting its top speed yet.

The firm is also being a tad coy about the top speed of the latest Monaro VXR model, the limited edition VXR500 that uses a supercharger to boost power.

Top speed for this 493bhp monster is said to be 'in excess of 180mph', while 0-60mph is dispensed with in less than five seconds.

Along with the power hike, the 6.0-litre V8 also ups torque to 499lb ft to give the VXR500 even longer legs when cruising. The Monaro VXR is only available from Greens Vauxhall (01634 246755) and costs £35,995, which is cracking value for a V8-engined machine with nigh on 500bhp.

© Source: original article on topgear