ULTIMATE B-Roader! Vauxhall VX220 on ITBs - Better Than A Lotus Elise?
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- Опубликовано: 22 авг 2024
- Today, I am finally driving a Vauxhall VX220. My channel started off with a heavy focus on Lotus content, and many might be aware that not only does this car share its platform with the Elise, but it was also built in the same factory.
I have nearly reviewed a couple in the past, but am glad to have gotten the chance to drive this one, which has a fairly impressive spec list!
218bhp/218nm torque
Saab B207 Block 2.2 litres
Z22SE Head
Webcon ITB Gold kit
SCS 400 ECU
Comp Cams Stage 2
Double valve springs
Intake ports enlarged and polished
Forged pistons, conrods and crank shaft
Balancer shaft delete
Chris Tullet 4-1 manifold
Chris Tullet 2.5 inch complete exhaust
250 cell high flow catalytic convertor
TTV light weight flywheel
Elise motorsport gear cables
Pro alloy radiator
ABS switch
0-60: 4 seconds approximately
Top speed: Est. 150mph
Tat fin-less diffuser
Turbo intake ears
Turbo rear spoiler
Leon Cupra Mk1 front splitter
Alloys in grey
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These have aged well, when they first came out I thought it was weird but now it looks great.
It looks like the box that an elise was delivered in
I thought it was ugly then and still think it is hilariously ugly.
Better looking than the elise Imo.
Lovely car!
agree, i remember the car brochure i had when it came out, but now it looks even better.
It look kinda like modern cars but less overdesigned, it was ahead of it's time. The Speedster/VX220 and the new Opel GT still look great.
That's my old car I built with Vocky. Was completely standard when I started. A few things returned to standard now though... Like the wheels, handles much better with the vxr220 speedlines I had on it.
what tyre and size did you run?
@@Dave.S.TT600 205 45 16 on the front and 225 45 17 on the rear.
@@joedobson3835 thanks joe, it was good to see your old car in a video!
I readed all vocky threads at the z22se forum, amazing work mate
When my dad picked up his brand new vauxhall vectra back in the day there was a yellow one of these on one of those spinning display units they have in showrooms, been obsessed ever since!
I wanted that car ever since I played NFS hot pursuit 2
Same
Man I remember that game and its starting cars.. fantastic game
I'm fortunate enough to own a NFS HP2 car A Ford TS50. :D
damn lol same
Didn't know that Gran Turismo on PlayStation had these cars until I already owned my own in real life.
One of only two Opel Speedster in New Zealand. Mine is Japanese spec Opel Speedster so right hand drive and speedo is in kms not miles.
Only 50000kms but goes up daily.
I still remember the first time I saw one of these when I was a kid. I was like 6-7. It was completely debadged and it blew my mind
Pure dead brilliant! I have a silver VX220 with the supercharger. You'll be surprised to know Jayem that I regularly drive it some 400 miles for a track day, do the track day, then drive it back home again - obviously over a weekend, not all in one day! The VX never misses a beat and is well behaved on the long journey's and just an absolute hoot on the track. 250bhp, about 850kg without me in it = pure dead brilliant!
The only time I've driven a VX220 was back to back with an Elise on track for a day and your comments re the understeer were spot on. However the one thing that struck me then and that I have remembered ever since was the the VX220 understeered far less than the Elise and therefore gave a much more rewarding experience.
VX220's are ACE. 😎❤
I've loved mine since I bought it new in 2003!
Started my job at lotus when these were in the prototype phase of production. Loved building them. Different league when being built alongside the k series engined Elise!!
The truth right there, badge snobs can't see it.
I own a Japanese spec Opel Speedster here in New Zealand.
Also there was a Holden Speedster found in Holden Development storage beginning of the year. When GM shut them down.
I loved how they looked on the early gran turismo games.
Hopefully they looked like this. Otherwise it wouldn't have been an Opel/Vauxhall Speedster or VX220 😂
No other car more than the VX220 makes me realise that one day I was 18 years old, and the next I was in my 40's. This has to be one of the most overlooked classics of all time.
The N/A VX220 had the GM L850 engine in it... which was designed & developed by Lotus.
So the N/A VX220 is more Lotus than any recent Lotus.
It wasn't designed or tuned by Lotus. It was the same 147bhp Z22SE that is in the Coupe/Hatch SRi like mine.
When the VXT was released I was so jealous of that 0-60 stat win over the Elise. I couldn't believe at the time how Lotus had allowed this to happen.
I really like your review style, so you have a new sub here. Reminds me of when Top Gear was actually about cars!!! 😎
Thanks! That was my inspiration
As a die hard Opel fan in South Africa back in the late 90`s - early 2000`s we were SCREAMING out to get these, sadly we never got any...but, we did get the Kadett Gsi Superboss and Kadett and Astra 200TS which nobody but the South African market got..and boy, did you all miss out on those beasts!
I own an Speedster 2.2. I bought it new 2002. I really love the car. It's quite reliable - nothing broke over the years and it's alot of fun.
The power of the natural aspirating engine is enough. I am really happy that I bought the car after I made a test drive on the Elise 111 in 1999. Which impressed my very much!
One of the very few Vauxhalls that Jeremy Clarkson actually liked it. EDIT: I should be specific: Clarkson liked the VX220 Turbo.
Yes, and it isn't a Vaux but a Lotus-ish with GM/Saab bits, strange, Have to say love the looks and I've had 2 Exige's and Lotus looks damn good
Very true!
Who cares what that Wannabe JayEmm thinks? ;)
@@MatthewJohnCrittenden niet nice
Jayemm would dominate clarkson
FINALLY !!!! Jay you got around to driving my Dream Car, when I was a younger Man, funnily it STILL is my Dream Car !!!! Thanks for making a 2020 video on the little mostly forgotten....Vauxhall (GM) Gem!! :)))
50th Like !!
Thanks for watching and liking!
I forgot to throw this question at ya Jay!
The VX220's obvious competitor is the original Lotus Elise of the day back in 2000...
But I would much rather hear some of your comments about this;
In that the VX220 is a lot softer than the Elise of the day, and in this iteration, a lot more powerful as well. What are your thoughts on comparing this little Vauxhall (GM), in terms of a purely driving experience, to a car you just recently reviewed last year, the Alpine A110, ofc the A110 has superior build quality and modern NVH, but which do you think has the better steering? better on the limit handling? Which is more fun to drive? On the same road you've driven both.
@@Mexxx65 the VX220 for all of them but the Alpine is a far better built and more livable car
Future classic for sure! Always a soft spot for these
I sold my VX220 turbo 5 years ago, spent a little bit of money getting it spot on and had to sell it for a move overseas, gutted to have let such a great example of a superb car go.
Checked 5 months later on the government MOT site and never been on the road since, nearly didn’t sell it to the young lad who bought it as somehow didn’t expect it to last...............
I had one back in 2007-2008. It was such a fun car to drive. Only issues were getting in/out and the tiny boot. Ignore the badge and this is a great little car
When the cams open that 4 pot really sounds great. Yeah
Only posters I ever had in my life as a kid and a teenager were Senna and VX220/Speedster. I loved that car so much.
Should've released it as a fiero in the US
Ha, Yes i thought the same way back when these came out. Technically as its a GM car. It really is the true replacement for the Fiero. Which at the time was GM's only RWD, Rear engined car. Ive had 2 Fiero's here in the UK. They were great cars. Sadly they are all gone now.
I'm trying to imagine it with a Pontiac badge... not bad
@@visionist7 like a mid engine solstice right!
lol the name would've did damage
@@dj_paultuk7052 It was released in the US as the Saturn Sky
That's a lovely car ;) not biased at all.
You are Mr Richard, you are !!!!!!! I passed my ADi PT1 today, finally one step nearer being a double-digestive-at-once biscuit eating ADi
@@zzhughesd That's me. Well done on passing your part 1! I hope my videos helps you with part 2!
Conquer Driving yup very useful indeed. Got gmhorrendous bad habits from 15 years in Motor Trade to correct
I thought I recognized this car! I remember seeing it in your dry steering video.
Jacob Foster yes or the double choc biscuit video as I know it
I had a Lightning Yellow Edition VX220 and took it all the way to 106000 miles before selling it last year. They certainly have their fair share of problems but are spectacular fun to throw about and had some of the best riding suspension out there!
Hi thinking of buying one at the weekend , what problems did you have ...
@@EllisBurton3339 Big thing to look out for is any osmosis in the bodywork as there's not much you can do once it's started. Plastic end caps on the radiator like to blow off although there's all alloy replacements available, gear linkage cables stretch although again, better ones are available. Coolant reservoirs are in direct sunlight so if it doesn't have a cover, pay close attention to it and timing belt on the 2.2's should be done at 80k miles I believe. Also check you have a good brake pedal feel as rear calipers like to sieze, abs blocks can fail and just bleeding is a downright pain because the bleed nipples on the front calipers are the wrong way up so have to be removed and turned upside down because air will get trapped in them otherwise. Hope that helps!
I used to see a VX220 on my regular delivery round, quite a few years ago. This was in the north Yorkshire Dales and I thought it was the perfect little tool for that area. I had no jealousy though, because at the time I was still riding my old Guzzi.
Yep, vocky did a great job on mine. Same set up to the one reviewed, except still with webcon ecu, stage 3 cams, 4:1 final drive, and bespoke 4-2-1 ex. .Pulls very well indeed, and great looking car. Very few people seem to know what it is!.
One of my friends turned up at my place with one of these many years ago, I had an integrale at the time, he gave me a shot and i was blown away with the little go kart. I ended up buying an Elise though, purely down to looks, as much as I liked the 220 I just thought the Elise looked better. Still have an integrale, back road cars are the most fun.
What a great video to watch over dinner, cheers jay :)
my friends dad had one of these and had to sell it due to not being able to drive it as much as he'd liked and it was the biggest regret he said he had.
only thing he'd ever complain about was selling it.
A VX220 turbo resides within my fantasy garage. They’re like driving around in lightning. I just couldn’t find one when I was in the market for a roadster a few years back. Before I drove one I’d never had thought that I’d covet a Vauxhall.
Driven one vx220 turbo with 260hp, toyo r888r tyres and quaife lsd and it was a monster on a twistty B road
Yes I had a red one. It had a hybrid turbo, Nitrons and Yokohama ad08. It was seriously quick in a straight line and stuck to the road like shit of a blanket, the steering was fabulous, think it into a corner and it go around it. Point to point it was as quick as you'd ever want to go on the road. Fabulous car, miss it very much 😭
finally!! :) loved mine, will be getting another soon :) nice to see Vocky get a mention!
This exact car appears to be for sale on autotrader, and from seeing this video with it I wish I could buy it
Yes, this is my driving instructors car and he's put her up for sale recently
@@snowflakefrankiero 👍
Good review but please can you do a review of a turbo that hasn't been molested. It's been on my radar from when they were launched. BTW, I agree this one looks odd without badges. Are they hard to come by?
I had the last VXR 220, 65/65, and also the only blue one, mine was punching about 270bhp with a Larini exhaust. The only car that I have ever sold and regret selling it to this day.
I've never been a fan of this model in general, but the modifications this owner has done are awesome.
I'd say tasteful and just right for it.
That induction!!!
Much better than the Elise S1.
Built in the same factory as the lotus with the engine and gearbox slotted in by vauxhall.
Didn't leak or blow a head gasket. However the turbo was the best VX220.
Fun video, looks like an awesome car! Congrats on 74, almost 75K subscribers! That is awesome to see.
Thanks, very exciting times
A friend rented one for a weekend, pushed it way to much for not knowing the car on a wet road while having tires with low profile. As you can guess he understeered into a slow corner and destroyed the right front bodywork, fender, hood and the headlight. Was quite an expensive repair with all the fiberglass parts lol. At least the insurance paid most of it xD
I have a 1:18 scale replica of one of these and always liked the way they looked, but I didn't know that much about them. Greatly appreciate you doing this video.
Get a Renault 5 turbo and the r5 mid engine :) and review them should be quite nice :) keep up the awesome videos and greetings from Portugal
Never saw one but always liked it. Excellent review.
I remember this car from metropolis street racer on dreamcast ! It was on the front cover of the game if I recall! I always hoped they would drop in price but they never did :(
On the subject of a poor man’s Elise, would love to see you review a Smart Roadster. Mine was a dog but I was terribly fond of it.
What I really want is a new version of the ol' Opel GT, the one that looked like a miniaturized C3 'Vette.
I love mine had it for the last 16 years it's a Stage 3, the poor relation it is not. Good accurate backstory and nice drive commentary. I'm bias but love the silver and the hardtop on it. Those ITBs sound delicious.
Oh yeh is used to leak on the door seals, in the winter, the wide sills made great ice cube trays, loved it though, turbo is the way to go and a fantastic looking machine now very rare
Had one of these between 2002 and 2004 (normally aspirated version)- one of the best cars I ever had pure driving pleasure. I'm gutted I sold it back in the day :-(
Very cool, and nicely done review James!
Kit Car does indeed describe its look really really well
Need for speed 6 throwbacks. I live the way this car feels. James you gotta do the Renault Spyder some day.
Great review - as ever. Interesting little car. I’ve always thought of it as an Elise in Griffin’s clothing. This one’s a little better than that, but I still prefer the look and kudos of the Elise. Nice to see you on some roads I know well: Hedingham/Wethersfield.
Googles "what does ITB mean". Answer: "in the butt".
Huh..
Did a bit of thinking, and came up with "individual throttle bodies". Makes a little more sense.
Haven't seen one of those since one was displayed at the local Opel dealer back in the day, but to my surprise (not being that into the looks back then) you're right. They have aged very well. ..and this one, with that engine.. I like, i like a lot
Pretty weird that he didn't define that. I'm well aware what individual throttle bodies are, but have never heard them called ITBs before.
I thought he said IDB, but immediately thought of Individual Throttle Body.
Yeah, being a non native Speaker I martered my head about what they could be (as googling got me some fairs and ... well, in the butt^^
Ah, back in 2004 i think I got one of the turboes for a test Drive wqith my father.
It was the first time he ever climbed out of a car scared when I was driving, and I didnt stop smiling the whole 28 minute drive.
Lovely little fire crackers.
I definitely prefer it with the Vauxhall badge on the front. It looks a bit naked debadged.
If the badge had been on the bonnet like lotus or porsche it would have looked fine, it was the V grille and vertical badge that looked awkward with the rest of the car. The bonnet had a ridge down the centre so would need a special badge. Loved VX220s since first concept in car mags way back, may get one one day but make do with my mk1 MR2 Super Charger so far… for the weekend toy.
The only vauxhall I looked at buying
Me too. Although I did have a Nova SR. Big regret after my Mk1 Fezza. Swore I'd never get another Vauxhall until I saw a modified VX220 turbo, drove it. Wow what a machine that was😅
My mates mum had one of these (the baby 2.2.) One day he appeared outside my house in it as his mum was out and he'd pinched the keys to take it for a spin. He was only 16 at the time so didn't have a licence 😂 I wasn't prepared for how low it is and how difficult they are to get in and out of. For only 140 bhp it was quick but being sat basically on the floor would make anything seem fast.
Someone get this man a harroped VX to evaluate.
This thing sounds phenomenal for a 4 cyl considering how few can actually sound nice
Thanks to the individual throttle bodies.
Lots of 4 cylinders can sound good
Like @10:32 I haven't heard many 4 cyls that can top this
@@airriderz15 You're easily impressed then 😂
@@airriderz15Integra DC2 Type R
That thing makes an absolutely beautiful noice! Love it!
My father used to have a VX4/90, so I've always had a soft spot for the VX220. Yes, I know the only relation is the name but still...
Great car and actually better quality and engine than the Lotus, going to be a classic.
Good review again Jimmer.
As this VX220 has had some money spent on it, how would you say it compares to the V6 MR2 you took on track, as both are 'approx' alternatives to the Elise. Thank you.
Wasn't the day you drove it such a nice day? Sunny dry Winter days are made for driving. Always loved the VX220. I think better looking than the Elize and easier to get in and out of. Might get one.
I'm a 49 year old in mid life crisis! Really want one but I've got a really dodgy spine so I think its not the best idea ?
I'm sooooo sad that my affordable dream car is shit on yet again!
Life sucks
Get one. The seats are not uncomfortable getting in is not that hard. And who cares about getting out
the Europa; i'm sure they only ever planned to sell a few hundred of those to use up a stockpile of parts, it was something daft like 500 engines
S2 understeer - can you remember it being on top gear? clarkson complaining about it, so Gavan took him around the track just flicking it in and drifting everywhere :)
Someone i knew 15 years ago had a red one of these, took me out for a spin, not gonna lie... i shit myself, this thing is mental!
Love the car, Love the Review Guys.
I love my VX220. I have a 2002 2.2ltr version. It's a brilliant brilliant car.
I love mine 👍, top review and thanks for doing it.
NFS Hot Pursuit 2! This review hits me in the nostalgia feels.
I remember sitting in one of these at a motor show. The panels rattled like a tin can and the window winder fell off when I shut the door. Strangely though I have always wanted one.
Purposely fitted with narrow front wheels/tyres to build understeer into their handling charactoristics.
I forgot this car exists
Most have by now
Yea me too haven't seen one of these since one of those old granturismo games lol
@@layesse1 the only reason I know it exists is nfs hp2
Just passed one this morning. If I had some spare cash I could be tempted of the price was right. Something a little different than the usual cars on the road.
I absolutely adore mine! I had to go for Yellow though! :D :D
I'd love your opinion of the VXR version of the car if you get the chance.
Great video!
Too bad I'm too big to fit in one of these as I would love one. Ideal conversion as well putting a Saab lump in there too as they are ludicrously tuneable and with a car as light as a VX220 would give you a hilarious power to weight ratio.
Is the cost involved worth it? would a MR2 Roadster with a K20 lump not only be faster, cheaper, reliable?
Good point, Think mr2 is a lot heavier tho, power to weight and all that 😉
It's way more fun to drive a small motor and use all of it rather than a huge motor and drive around at idle. Same with motorcycles
fantastic cars, my supercharged one has been the family for 12 years and isnt going anywhere soon
Always wanted one of these or a renault spider
I remember Evo rated the VX220 over the Renault Spider. The Spider was quite a lot heavier. 950kg.
Although the Spider is a lot rarer.
There was a spider at the end of my road back in 1996. Strange but lovely to look at.
Hopefully you’ll get a turbo one on now too
I want one of these so bad!
Alex Air Conditioning
I'll probably be selling my 2003 Europa Blue NA which I've owned from new in a month or 2. She's been my baby for years and I will find it hard to sell her. If you're interested drop me a line or visit VX220.org in a month or 2.👍🏻
Good test. More inside and "under the lids" wouldn't have gone amiss though.
Is t this the Saturn Sky turbo in America? For all if ONE year!
No. Different car all together. This car was called the Opel Speedster in Europe, and the Sky was called the Opel GT.
I notice they eliminated the balance shafts. I don’t think you commented on the harshness or vibration. Did you notice any change in engine vibration?
The Elise's 'twin brother' 🚗💨🙂🔝👍
Great looking car! Too bad I newer saw one in person. Here in Serbia there is not a single one of these...
After this, I'd be curious to see your take on the Opel/Vauxhall GT (aka Saturn Sky)... Was always hearing that those were quite lethargic in terms of their engines...
I can say the Solstice GT Turbo was disappointingly lazy in acceleration and handling. The only thing they're good at is comfortable highway cruising.
That sound is utter filth.
Love it :P
What are you using to record the exhaust as it sounds really good
Well.. Vauxhall/Opel is still the king of understeer as far as I know. So no suprises there. 😁
Any thing with a gm engine i want it
Jay has his Chuckie gloves on again.
It has ever been in pretty much any list of "dream garage" list I have - never thought for saab engine though - always supercharge. Can you find a supercharged one to share what is the difference?
Forget the looks this beasts about the weight