Drivetribe's Jethro Bovingdon bids a fond farewell to the Vauxhall VXR8 – and to the Australian super-saloon breed as production will soon come to an end…

Also known as the HSV GTS in Australia, the large performance sedan is fitted with a big 6.2-litre supercharged V8 unit that's a throwback to another era. Despite only having a six-speed autobox, its 576bhp and 740 Nm output masks the lack of gear ratios easily, allowing the car to display an unstressed character.

With high performance sedans like the upcoming BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 S AMG all gaining all-wheel drive and needing lots of speed to feel fun, the Vauxhall VXR8 is an interesting choice with the ability to put a smile on your face at any speed. And that is something that needs be cherished, says Bovingdon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU93U2Z8b7I