The best “British muscle car” is actually American

When you think of muscle cars, images of a Chevy Chevelle SS or Dodge Charger R/T probably pop into your head. Muscle cars were born in the U.S., but naming the first true muscle car… That debate can get heated—some swear by the 1949 Oldsmobile 88, others the 1964 Pontiac GTO, and a few niche fans champion the 1955 Chrysler C-300.

Sure, “muscle car” is a very American term, but that hasn’t stopped other countries from flexing. England, for example, gave us the Jensen Interceptor and Bristol Fighter, plus cars like the Morgan Plus 8 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage, though the latter leans more grand tourer than street brawler.

England’s muscle car era officially ended just a few years ago with the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R. On paper, it’s British, but it’s really American underneath, thanks to its GM roots and plenty of homegrown U.S. engineering hiding under the hood.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Vauxhall, Stellantis, and General Motors, as well as other authoritative sources, including CarBuzz and CarFolio.com.

Britain’s final flex of muscle car power

Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R: the quick take

• Final model rolled off the line in 2017
• Built on GM’s Zeta platform, (same bones as the Chevy SS)
• Assembled in Australia, not the UK
• Packs a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V-8 under the hood
• Essentially a rebadged Holden Special Vehicles performance car

Before diving into the UK’s final muscle car, it’s worth giving Vauxhall some credit. As one of the oldest surviving carmakers in Britain, it earns a closer look just based on seniority.

Vauxhall’s story actually starts long before the first car rolled off the line. Founded in 1857 by Scottish marine engineer Alexander Wilson, the company began with steam engines and bilge pumps—not automobiles.

It took nearly 50 years before Vauxhall built its first car. In 1903, they introduced a single-cylinder, five-horsepower runabout with room for just two passengers.

After that, Vauxhall shifted gears from marine engines to cars. Around 1908, a young draughtsman sketched a new engine for a Scottish reliability trial—and it performed brilliantly, putting Vauxhall on the map as a maker of well-built, dependable vehicles.

The first mass-produced model, the Vauxhall A-Type, rolled out that same year. Popularity soared, and soon households across the UK recognized the Vauxhall name.

After World War I, the company faced tough times—Britain’s economy was struggling, and cars weren’t flying off the lots like before. Enter General Motors in 1925, swooping in to buy Vauxhall and bring it under their global umbrella, setting the stage for decades of reliable, family-friendly cars.

Things stayed steady for a while—until the early 2000s, when Vauxhall hit rough waters again. This time, General Motors wasn’t coming to the rescue.

But the iconic British automaker didn’t go down without a fight. Before being sold to Stellantis, Vauxhall tried to turn things around with a little well-timed muscle.

Vauxhall’s final flex of muscle

In 2017, the penny finally dropped. The last Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R—and maybe the final true muscle car from an English automaker—rolled off the line.

Despite Vauxhall’s deep British roots, the VXR8 is a global mix. It’s tied to Germany’s Opel, built in Australia alongside the Holden Commodore and Chevrolet SS, and rides on GM’s Zeta platform.

Put simply, the VXR8 is a bona fide mutt—and somehow, that only makes it more interesting.

The secret behind its serious punch

Under the hood sits a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from General Motors, known as the LSA. This engine also powers other GM heavyweights like the Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and Holden Special Vehicles GTS Gen-F.

The 2017 Vauxhall VXR8 is closely related to the U.S. Chevrolet SS, but they don’t share the same engine. The SS uses a 6.2-liter LS3 V8, while the VXR8 GTS-R packs a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA with a 1.9-liter blower and tech like a single-unit heat exchanger.

Buyers could pick a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic with steering column paddle shifters. Auto VXR8 GTS-Rs also got a beefier oil cooler to keep transmission temps in check, and rear-wheel drive was the only option.

The suspension was packed with upgrades for performance, including Magnetic Ride Control. Six-piston front brakes and four-piston rears came standard to stop all that power.

Outside, flared wheel arches and a big trunk spoiler let everyone know exactly what you’re driving—the fast one.

*Specs courtesy of Vauxhall

Inside, the 2017 VXR8 GTS-R proves a muscle car can still be practical. Four doors push it into “sports sedan” territory, making it easier to hop in the back when needed.

Owners also get a set of auxiliary gauges in front of the shifter to track oil pressure and supercharger boost. Leather seats, a center armrest, and door panels come with crisp white stitching, keeping the cabin feeling sharp and premium.

You can’t get your hands on one today

If you’re suddenly craving a 2017 VXR8 GTS-R, here’s the bad news: the 25-Year Rule blocks legal imports into the U.S. Cars need to be at least 25 years old to qualify.

Sure, there are tiny exemptions, but the odds of scoring one are basically zero. Your only real option is to wait 17 years—and let’s be honest, nobody wants that.

Fortunately, there are alternatives if you’re open to buying U.S.-spec models. You won’t get the Vauxhall badge, but you can still get all that muscle.

Take the 2009–2015 Cadillac CTS-V—it’s rocking the exact same supercharged LSA V8 under the hood. It makes 556 horsepower, looks properly mean, and yes, you can still find one with a manual.

Another option is the Chevrolet SS, which gives you the same Aussie-built attitude as the VXR8—just minus the blower. It still delivers huge fun without the import-law headache.

No matter what you pick, the 2017 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R deserves respect. It was Britain’s last true muscle car—built with a whole lot of American muscle under the skin.