HSV GTSR heading to the UK

The HSV GTSR is heading to the UK.

Just 15 of the 435kW/740Nm monsters are set to make the trip to Blighty with the car to be revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 29-July 2).

Rebranded the Vauxhall VXR8 GTSR, it will be the final chapter in the VXR8 story, which began in 2007 with the introduction of HSV's E-Series range. Prior to this, HSVs had been imported into the UK under Vauxhall's VXR banner, most significantly the GTO Coupe.

The cars will be mechanically identical to local HSVs, including the 435kW tune for the 6.2-litre LSA V8 courtesy of a high-flow air filter, torque-vectoring rear diff and massive new front brakes with 410mm two-piece rotors clamped by six-piston calipers.

What will be different is the price. Whereas the HSV GTSR retails for $109,490 as a manual and $111,990 as an automatic before on-road costs, the Vauxhall GTSR will set buyers back £74,500 on-road, roughly equivalent to the UK price of a fully-loaded Mercedes-AMG C63 S.

A Spitfire Green GTSR will be joined at Goodwood by the next chapter in Vauxhall's performance story, a 191kW Insignia Sports Tourer, which will make its way to Australia as a Holden Commodore Sportwagon, providing a striking juxtaposition between the Commodore's past and future. The two cars will be also be driven up Goodwood's famous hillclimb.

Until recently, Vauxhall and Holden were sister brands in the GM family, however Vauxhall is now part of the PSA Group which also controls Peugeot and Citroen. Local Holden Commodore production ceases on October 20, 2017.