[MiataRoadster]

A friend just got back from Scotland and asked me to ID this car they saw there. That distinctive grille ought to be a tip-off. I like the single wiper arm. The ducts in the hood make it seem it's front-engine, but then it has those huge ducts in the rear fenders as if it's mid-engine...

 

[boogie van]

opel/vauxhall speedster. I cant quite see the badge.

 

[giryan]

Vauxhall VX220

essentially an Elise, with a more powerful engine, and a different body. Made by Lotus for Vauxhall(GM?)

 

[MiataRoadster]

Vauxhall VX220

essentially an Elise, with a more powerful engine, and a different body. Made by Lotus for Vauxhall(GM?)

Bingo! Thanks.

http://images.google.com/images?q=Vauxhall+VX220&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

At first I was thinking it's the Opel EU version of the Solstice/Sky but it looks like it's a targa top.

 

[boogie van]

Vauxhall VX220

essentially an Elise, with a more powerful engine, and a different body. Made by Lotus for Vauxhall(GM?)

oh cool, didnt know it was actually made by lotus but I definately see the resemblance.

 

[giryan]

Yeah, the top splits in 2 and stores behind the seats afaik.

 

[MiataRoadster]

So is it front or rear engine? If front, why the big honkin' side ducts?

 

[Dicker]

its mid engine.

 

[roadsternut]

1st Gen Elise, with a Vauxhall engine. Bit of a lame duck car, as Vauxhall are no longer interested in subcontracting out production of these types of cars to manufacturers like Lotus.

 

[LagunaMiata]

Top Gear and Fifth Gear both say it's a better car than the Elise...

 

[LUV2TURN]

If I remember correctly, I thought that I read that the chassis for the Solstice/Sky is somewhat based on the Speedster GT/VX220, which in turn is mostly old Elise...

 

[WhiteEunos]

In the UK it's called a Vauxhall VX220 and in Europe the Opel Speedster. They are good cars, Elise based with arguably better engines, less faults but not many people like the Vauxhall/GM badge. Originally they were 2.2 litres but later ones also had a turbo option. They are related to the Solstice, but from what I have read, that car is no where near as 'dedicated' as this kind of car.

 

[nderwater]

the replacement for the first generation speedster/vx220 is a clone of the new saturn sky. the old car was built off the elise platform and the new car will be built off the solstice platform. ie - there's no blood relation between the car in this thread and the solstice.

 

[kotomile]

The VX220 is basically a more streetable Elise. Turbo (torquey and quieter) engine, more sound dampening, that sort of thing.