The laws of physics dictate that a front-wheel-drive car can only manage so much power before terminal understeer sets in. There was once a belief that no more than 300hp could be sent through the front wheels exclusively, and it wasn’t that long ago that over 250hp was a bit too much for some. This is what makes some of the more recent front-drive hot hatches so mind-bendingly brilliant. Ford’s trick ‘RevoKnuckle’ suspension and active torque biasing differential helped it lay down 305hp in the Mk2 Focus RS (or 350hp in the RS500), and what Honda’s achieved with the latest, 330hp FL5 Civic Tyre R is nothing short of extraordinary.
Of course, that has all been made possible with advancements in suspension design, increasingly clever diffs and elaborate tyre compounds - as well as the commitment and investment from the world’s most deep-pocketed manufacturers. And it’s only been in the last 15 years or so that big strides have been made. Before that, manufacturers were still chucking as much power through the front axle as they could, albeit with hugely mixed results. The Alfa Romeo 156 and 147 GTAs are notoriously wayward without aftermarket assistance, as was the original Focus RS. But no one did understeer quite like a front-drive, mid-noughties Vauxhall, especially the Vectra VXR like we have here.
You’ll likely remember one of its TV appearances, if only for the noise of its tyres scrubbing along the tarmac while its front wheels furiously attempt to find purchase. Obviously, we know how producers like to ham things up for telly and any car will understeer into the distance if you really try, but the truth is VXR was building a reputation based on power and straight-line speed. It’s the Top Trumps effect, which isn’t quite as prevalent in today’s age of 1,000hp EV family saloons but was a surefire way to a sales hit two decades ago. So when its main rival, the Ford Mondeo ST220, was putting out 226hp from a 2.5-litre V6, Vauxhall swiftly gazumped it with 255hp from a 2.8-litre V6 turbo.
It was properly quick, too. The Vectra VXR could hit 60mph from a standstill in 6.5 seconds, a whopping 0.8 seconds faster than the Mondeo, and topped out at an impressive 161mph. This is back when people took a curiously deep interest in top speeds, too - and it must've provided useful ammunition against your mate down the pub with their 155mph-limited BMW M3.
Just as important was the way it looked. Vauxhall has never been known for daring or memorable designs, with the Vectra arguably being the dullest of the lot. The VXR, however, drastically upped the desirability with 19-inch alloys, sportier skirts all-round, two missile-launcher exhaust outlets and a pouting lip spoiler completing the look. Little was done to the interior, save for a set of Recaros and some VXR badging dotted around the place. But it didn’t matter, because the Vectra VXR looked the part, went like the clappers and was near as damn it the same price as the Mondeo.
Sure, it was never dynamically on par with the competition, and did suffer from considerably amounts of torque steer, but that just adds to its old-fashioned bruiser appeal today. And just as they were 20 years ago, Vectra VXRs are cheap as chips nowadays. This 2006 example has 92,000 miles on the clock, appears to be very tidy both inside and out, and has a recent MOT pass with no advisories. All for £4,895. On the other hand, this Mondeo ST220 with 5k fewer miles will cost you almost twice as much. And while it may drive a little sweeter and feel a little plusher, it probably won’t whack a huge grin on your face quite like the VXR will.
SPECIFICATION | VAUXHALL VECTRA VXR
Engine: 2,729cc V6, turbocharged
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 255@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 262@1,800rpm
MPG: 27.4
CO2: 247g/km
Year registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 92,000
Price new: £23,970
Yours for: £4,895
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