• New 180mph super coupe set to smash Lotus Carlton’s record
• Powered by latest Corvette’s 6-litre V8
• On sale from March

Could this be the car to go where no Vauxhall has ever gone before? With 404PS of power supplied by the Corvette’s 6.0-litre LS2 V8, the new Monaro VXR is set to be the first ever production Vauxhall to top 180mph, finally overtaking the Lotus Carlton to become the fastest ever Vauxhall.

The latest version of the company’s performance flagship takes over from the original Monaro VXR, which sold out within three months of going on sale earlier this year. The new car takes the VXR brand to even further extremes, with more power and torque than any other production car to wear the Vauxhall badge.

Under the new ventilated bonnet sits the new high-output 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine, which recently made its debut in the Corvette C6. As you’d expect from a supercar engine, power figures are impressive, with 404PS (up from the last model’s 388PS) and a massive 530Nm of torque (compared to 510Nm). Although performance figures have yet to be officially recorded, it’s expected that the VXR will be able to comfortably surpass the 177mph record set by the Lotus Carton in 1990. A 0-60 time of around 5.0 seconds is also predicted.

But the new version of the Monaro VXR hasn’t just been built for outright speed. Along with the new engine, virtually the entire drivetrain has been upgraded with revised suspension and bigger brakes to ensure that the latest version can keep the power tamed while still being thrilling to drive. With its classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, the Monaro has already gained a reputation for being an enthusiastic driver’s favourite.

Since those enthusiasts also loved the way the last VXR looked, the styling changes have been kept to the bare minimum. To help the car breathe more efficiently and keep the engine cool, a pair of distinctive ‘nostril’ vents has been added to the bonnet, while the rear now gains quad exhaust tail pipes. New

10-spoke, 19-inch alloy wheels allow onlookers to see the new grooved discs and VXR-branded brake callipers.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but it’s expected that the new Monaro VXR will still cost half the price of other 180mph supercars at around £37,000. The first cars will reach customers in March.