Vauxhall VXR8 GTS Order Book Opens In United Kingdom

It's not slated to start production until the end of August, but impatient V8 enthusiasts in the UK are already able to slap some money down on HSV's most powerful car ever - the GTS.

The HSV GTS will be exported to the United Kingdom badged as the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS, and, with a sticker price of £54,999 ($86,103), they'll be paying around $6800 less than Australian buyers will.

But they'll need to wait. While Australian GTS buyers will be able to drive their cars around from September, Vauxhall VXR8 GTS deliveries won't begin until the very end of 2013. 

They'll also pay more for the upkeep of their GTS.

Not only is fuel more expensive in the UK than in Australia, but with vehicle tax rates being linked to CO2 emissions, UK GTS owners will be slugged with a £1065 tax bill when they buy the car and have to pay £490 to the taxman each year thereafter.

However, it will still end up £20k cheaper than a UK-delivered BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS will be virtually identical to its HSV-badged twin, with the same 430kW output from its 6.2 litre supercharged LSA V8.

Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered too, as will the full suite of interior mod-cons and safety equipment.

In fact, the only notable differences will be the replacement of all HSV badging with a Vauxhall roundel, and a colour change for the brake calipers and GTS badge from bright yellow to solid red.