Over in the UK market, British automaker Vauxhall->ke92 has pulled the covers off of the new VRX8->ke2828 Tourer, a full-sized tourer that carries quite a punch under its hood.

There weren't a whole lot of sweeping changes done to the tourer compared to its previous iterations, but the VRX8 Tourer nevertheless carries a character that exudes quiet confidence mixed in with class-leading cargo space and impressive performance credentials.

Since it's classified as a tourer/wagon, the initial reaction surrounding the VRX8 Tourer might be that it belongs in market that puts less importance on its looks and its power. However, this model has the looks and the power that can make it a worthy candidate to be somebody's next full-sized wagon.

It may not have the brand recognition of a Mercedes->ke187 or a BMW->ke178, but Vauxhall is serious about bringing the fight to the German brands. And it has the VRX8 Tourer as a worthy soldier to do the battling for it.

Find out more about the Vauxhall VRX8 Tourer after the jump

2013 Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 431
  • Torque: 431
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Not a lot of new changes to be found here. The 2013 model still bears a striking resemblance to the Holden GTS – the model it is based on. Though not as physically imposing as its sedan counterpart, the VRX8 Tourer does look pretty cool for a wagon, aided in part by unique aero details, including those vents on the hood and sides of the car, as well as an elaborate lighting setup that includes copious amounts of LEDs.

Oh, and don't forget the two-tone metallic paint finish and the new set of 20-inch Pentagon alloy wheels, which if we do say so ourselves, look pretty snazzy on the VRX8 Tourer.

Interior

The interior of the VRX8 Tourer is where you'll see some notable features that separate it from the competition. As a tourer, one of the more important things to consider is the amount of cargo it carries. In that category, the VRX8 Tourer can proudly say it has ample amount of it, thanks to 895 liters (31.6 cubic feet) of cargo room that can be increased all the way to 2,000 liters (70.62 cubic-feet) when the rear seats are folded down. That amount of space is good enough for the vehicle to be touted as one of the most spacious vehicles on the market, or at least in the UK.

In addition, the vehicle also comes in a full-leather trim with the front seats featuring a pair of special HSV performance seats with eight-way adjustability. Some added technological goodies are also on tap, including the company's very own Enhanced Driver Interface, a system that connects with the car's on-board computer, constantly streaming real-time vehicle dynamics and performance to the car’s main 5-inch monitor.

Performance

The VXR8 Tourer is considered one of the world's fastest and most powerful wagons. The reason behind that is the 6.2-liter V-8 engine that appears under its hood, one that's capable of producing 431 horsepower and presumably the same amount of torque while mated to an MM10 six-speed manual transmission. With those figures, the VRX8 Tourer is capable of hitting 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Consider this, too: this bad-boy is the fastest estate vehicle Vauxhall has ever built. That says a lot for a company that doesn't really market itself as builders of high-powered machines.

Pricing

The Vauxhall VRX8 Tourer is priced at £49,500, which is about $75,200 based on current exchange rates, with Vauxhall's 100,000-mile or lifetime warranty attached to it.

Competition

Mercedes E63 AMG

Though the price tag may seem steep at first glance, it bears noting that you're getting a wagon here with sports car, or at the very least, muscle car capabilities. So we're not all that surprised that it carries that price with it.

Plus, other options in the market are pretty expensive themselves, including the Mercedes E63 AMG->ke373, which retails for almost twice that amount at around £75,000 ($114,000). Sure, Vauxhall isn't even in the same league as Mercedes is when it comes to overall package - styling, performance, and brand recognition - but if those things aren't that much of a worry for you and you're looking for overall functionality above all else, then the VRX8 Tourer is a pretty stout choice.

Conclusion

Vauxhall doesn't get the nearly the level of love it deserves so we're more than happy to put the spotlight on it. Overall, the VRX8 Tourer is a solid choice if you're looking for a tourer that offers heaps in performance and cargo. It's looks don't stand out, which really shouldn't mean a whole lot considering that the vehicle itself will most likely go to young families who aren't particularly too concerned about how a car looks. What's important is that it won't put you to shame in the power department and it has ample amounts of space to store all those groceries.