Performance Vauxhall August - September 2018

Have you ever stopped to think about the greatest Vauxhalls never made? The manufacturer’s aborted Omega V8.com project had the potential to knock stuffing out of the luxury German car market, but what about the game-changers you’ve imagined during conversations with your mates over a pint in the pub? Y’know, cars Vauxhall’s design department didn’t think of. Perhaps you’ve fantasised about a C20LET-powered Mk3 Astra GSi with four-wheel drive capabilities? How about a Tigra making use of a 3.2-litre V6? What about a supercharged Signum? Inspired by these discussions, the chances are many of you returned to your garages and workshops and had a bash at bringing your ideas to life. This is certainly true of serial Carlton and VXR8 owner, David Brown, who admits he’s never been able to…

Visitors to the last Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association (VBOA) National Rally to be held at Billing Aquadrome will remember the gorgeous Imperial Green Carlton estate driven to the event by serial Griffin modifier, David Brown. Fresh from its long journey all the way from the electrician’s home near Edinburgh, the custom cargo carrier was wearing a modified Lotus Carlton body kit, the legendary model’s wheels and the bulk of its interior. The wicked wagon was finished to such a high standard it would have convinced those less familiar with Vauxhall’s output they were looking at a genuine Lotus Carlton tourer until David opened the bonnet to reveal a naturally aspirated three-litre inline-six. “The car was originally a red two-litre Diamond estate on a K-plate. I bought it in as a…

ENGINE Fully rebuilt 3615cc C36GET DOHC 24-valve, uprated timing chains, machined and painted inlet manifold, twin Garrett T25 hybrid turbochargers, custom turbocharger oil return feed, modified sump, Lotus Carlton Motronic ECU, modified fuel rail, high impedance fuel injectors, custom stainless steel exhaust system (original Lotus Carlton exhaust with bespoke back box), Lotus Carlton catalytic converters, Yuasa 3000 battery POWER 330bhp, 330lb/ft torque at 85% throttle TRANSMISSION Rear-wheel drive, ZF six-speed manual gearbox, heavy duty clutch, Lotus Carlton differential and drive shafts, custom propshaft bracket SUSPENSION Lotus Carlton subframes, Lotus Carlton front dampers, Lotus Carlton coil springs, Carlton Diamond estate rear shock absorbers BRAKES Lotus Carlton AP Racing four-piston front calipers with 328mm discs, Lotus Carlton AP Racing two-piston rear calipers with 300mm discs WHEELS & TYRES Lotus Carlton 8x17-inch (front)…

Vauxhall news registering on our radar The rumour mill regarding PSA Group’s plans for Vauxhall’s popular Heritage Centre has been working overtime these past few weeks (not helped by some in the motoring press misrepresenting the facts), so let’s set the record straight. FACT PSA is moving the Heritage Centre to a new site in Luton following the company’s decision to relocate Vauxhall staff from Griffin House to a more modern facility. Griffin House is an old building which costs a huge amount to heat and maintain. Furthermore, the property is currently underutilised due to being only part-occupied by Vauxhall staff. FICTION PSA is selling the contents of the Vauxhall Heritage Centre. FACT There will be no forced redundancies as a consequence of the changes taking place. FICTION PSA is…

*RÖHRL INTO LIFE German rally legend, Walter Röhrl, is the last competitor to win the WRC in a rear-wheel drive car, which he did in a Rothmans-liveried Opel Ascona 400 in 1982 following years campaigning Commodores and Kadetts. He returns to the hot seat at the end of the month for the Titanic Déjà vu Ulster, a “rally reunion extravaganza” buzzing with old-school rally cars and famous drivers. Visit rpm-motorsport.com. *PROFITS UP! PSA Group’s ownership of Vauxhall is already working wonders for our favourite brand. Annual results show £448m operating profits in the first half of 2018 compared to a loss of £196m under GM rule in 2016 (Vauxhall’s last full year under the American car giant’s ownership). The popularity of new models, including the latest Insignia and Grandland X,…

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT ALLOYGATOR WHEEL PROTECTION SYSTEM AlloyGator Limited is the global market leader in the design and manufacture of alloy wheel protection systems. The family-run firm from Worcestershire launched its award-winning products to market during 2010 following many years of research and development. Initially satisfying those who wanted to prevent kerb damage to new rims, the company caught the attention of modifiers and the motoring press who saw the potential for AlloyGators to enhance the appearance of wheels whilst simultaneously protecting them from damage. Today, AlloyGators are sold by main dealers, body shops and automotive styling firms worldwide. Popular with owners of sports cars, these wicked wheel protectors are available to buy in a choice of thirteen different colours (from jet black to radiant red) and can even be ordered…