Home » The Opel Speedster And Vauxhall VX220 Are Featherweight Sports Cars Worth Waiting Another Year For: GM Hit Or Miss

The Opel Speedster And Vauxhall VX220 Are Featherweight Sports Cars Worth Waiting Another Year For: GM Hit Or Miss

Opel Vauxhaul Gmhom Ts2
ADVERTISEMENT

The 2000s were a weird time for GM performance cars. The Camaro and Firebird were going away, Bob Lutz was preparing an SS version of every Chevrolet from the Malibu to the Silverado, Cadillac decided to start chasing BMW, and Pontiac tried out a reverse-staggered tire setup to counteract the waywardness of a transverse V8. Over in Europe, things were even more nuts. While European Corvette sales happened in limited numbers, General Motors showrooms over there had arguably even more want-one hardware on offer. The Opel Speedster and Vauxhall VX220 are arguably two of the most exciting GM products of the 2000s, even if they weren’t entirely made by GM.

See, General Motors has quite the history with Lotus. From buying the brand in October 1986 to tapping its expertise to develop the infamous Lotus Carlton super-sedan and astonishing C4 Corvette ZR-1, GM knew that Lotus meant performance. At the same time, GM had that big carmaker expertise for passing pesky regulatory requirements, and a plan was set in place to give Opel and Vauxhall showrooms a dose of speed while offering Lotus the opportunity to further develop its lightweight aluminum platform.

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

It’s common conjecture that the Opel Speedster and its British twin, the Vauxhall VX220, are basically Lotus Elises, but that’s only half-right. See, Motor Trend reported that out of the 2,000 parts that make up an Opel Speedster, only 140 were shared with the original Elise. Sure, the extruded and bonded aluminum construction is similar to that of the Elise, but a 1.1-inch wheelbase stretch is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to changes.

Opel Speedster

The Speedster gained an airbag and anti-lock brakes, five-lug hubs and rear discs from a Saab 9-3, entirely new baby supercar coachwork with stacked exhaust tips and jewel-like lighting. The dashboard was new, the tires were new, the suspension tuning was unique, and while many of the Speedster’s changes were adopted by the series 2 Elise, compared to the original Elise, it may as well have been from a different planet.

ADVERTISEMENT

Opel Speedster

However, the biggest difference is what came under the engine cover. While early Elise models came with the Rover K-series engine, not to be confused with the Honda K-series engine, that wasn’t exactly the most reliable motor in the world. In contrast, standard Opel Speedsters featured the 147-horsepower 2.2-liter Ecotec naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine from an Opel Astra, an engine that America got under the hood of the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac Sunfire, Oldsmobile Alero, Saturn Vue, and a litany of other extraordinarily common GM models. This means that not only are engine parts absurdly cheap, you can get them from your local auto parts store no problem. Cheap oil filters, cheap spark plugs, the works. The Opel Speedster may look and feel exotic, but as far as regular maintenance goes, much of it is no more expensive than it would be on a Mazda Miata.

Opel Speedster

Oh, and even though 147 horsepower isn’t the largest figure in the world, the Opel Speedster weighed in at just 1,918 pounds. That’s 456 pounds less than a new Mazda MX-5. Plus, 90 percent of peak torque was available from just 1,900 rpm, peaking at 150 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm. As such, Car Magazine reports that the Speedster/VX220 ran from zero-to-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and was a seriously thrilling machine when the pace increased, writing:

It was also thrilling and rewarding in equal measure to punt hard and fast. That larger and wider chassis made it stable (except when on a circuit basking under Spanish summer sun, obviously); the unassisted steering was precise, accurate and feelsome; the ride quality possessed that magic Lotus quality that allowed the Vauxhall to breathe over the road; and the brakes were well up to dealing with the pace dished up by the torquey Ecotec engine. Even the slightly sloppy long-throw gearshift quality couldn’t detract from the car’s all-round brilliance. And it looked superb. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I loved the VX’s chiselled and edgy looks. It was a dramatic car in every sense. And it was, without doubt, a significantly better car than a contemporary Elise.

Yep, substantial re-engineering and a GM heart built a better Lotus, and the program didn’t stop there. For 2004, the Speedster and VX220 were given a big dose of extra shove thanks to a Turbo model. Out came the 2.2-liter Ecotec engine and in went the Z20LET engine from an Opel Astra OPC. We’re talking about a two-liter turbocharged four-banger with 197 horsepower and 197 lb.-ft. of torque, good enough to drop the zero-to-60 mph time down to four seconds and offer a top speed of 150 mph. Guess what? People loved it even more.

ADVERTISEMENT

When the Speedster Turbo and VX220 Turbo launched, the media adored it. As Jeremy Clarkson said in a period comparison against the TVR T350C, “It’s an epic trackday car but it works well on an everyday basis as well, and it’s a convertible, and the word Vauxhall doesn’t appear on it anywhere.” Surprisingly, the VX220 Turbo won that comparison test, with Clarkson concluding, “This manages to be fun without being frightening. It creates a grin so enormous, it splits your face clean in half. This is my winner.”

Opel Speedster Turbo

Of course, with the extra power, you really had to treat the chassis with respect as although it was reportedly a sweetheart to those who love a neutral chassis setup, it still wasn’t a car for the inexperienced. As AutoExpress wrote:

But the turbo has the ability to kick the tail out if you plant the throttle to the floor, and it can catch out the inexperienced – just ask the six journalists on the launch who brought their test cars back in several pieces on tow trucks.

Six! And we aren’t talking about anyone who could plunk down a deposit, we’re talking about journalists with seat time in a variety of cars. Then again, I’ve seen a few things on press launches, and excessive heroics are a known thing in the industry, so who knows? We’re talking about a real-deal sports car, and while a production run of 7,207 cars may seem low, for something this extreme, that counts as sales success.

ADVERTISEMENT

Vauxhall Vx220

These days, the Opel Speedster and Vauxhall VX220 remain a bit of a bargain, just like they were when they were new. It’s not difficult to find Vauxhall examples in the £10,000 to £18,000 range, while driver-spec left-hand-drive Opel Speedsters start at around €17,000 and go up to €27,000. Considering what a Lotus Elise goes for in North America, I’d call that a damn good deal for two whole handfuls of sports car.

Opel Speedster

Was the Opel Speedster and its Vauxhall VX220 twin a hit? Oh god yes. We’re looking at some of the best sports cars of the new millennium, and they happened to be sold through GM dealerships — just not on this side of the pond. Sure, Canadians have been able to enjoy them for nearly a decade now, but America’s going to have to hold out a touch longer.

Opel Speedster

ADVERTISEMENT

Production officially started in July of 2000, meaning that at the minimum, Americans will have to wait a year to import an early Opel Speedster or Vauxhall VX220. However, it’s worth the wait. This brilliant anomaly is a car America should’ve got, and an absolute smash-hit.

(Photo credits: Opel, Vauxhall)

Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.

Relatedbar

Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.

ADVERTISEMENT
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on reddit
Reddit
Subscribe
Notify of
24 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Henry David Floyd
Henry David Floyd
10 days ago

Stop posting about these, you’re going to drive up the price!

Everybody forget you read this article. These cars were forgettable little nothings and as such you should sell one to me for pennies.

Cars? I've owned a few
Cars? I've owned a few
14 days ago

Ah, yes. Jeremy Clarkson, back when he had a full head of hair. Such a ham-fisted and footed driver. It’s no wonder the Stig(s) always turned better times.

I liked the vertically stacked exhausts as well. A very neat little detail.

BenCars
BenCars
15 days ago

There was also a limited run VXR220 model released in 2004 with 220hp and upgraded brakes and suspension. Gotta wait a while more for that I guess…

Fatallightning
Fatallightning
15 days ago

I think they overstated the different parts to make it seem that much “newer”. Iirc, the wheelbase difference is all from the wishbones. Same with the unloved and forgotten neo-Europa. I plan on importing one in a year or 2 and using the supercharger setup from a Cobalt SS, which is evidently an easy upgrade. Jon Seal does a neat Cup style aerokit for them too

Gubbin
Gubbin
15 days ago
Reply to  Fatallightning

Dammit, there you go, making it sound possible and even reasonable.

Captain Muppet
Captain Muppet
15 days ago
Reply to  Fatallightning

I had an S1 Elise and now have a very much loved and not forgotten Europa (which is a VX220 turbo in a pretty dress).

I stripped my Elise back to the bare chassis (only took a few days!), and the Europa has a huge hatch so you can see all the rear structure with the engine bay trim removed. From the B-pillar back they are very different. The GM engines won’t fit in an Elise. Forward of the B-pillar you have cut-outs in the chassis rails under the doors in the VX that the S1 Elise doesn’t have, then the addition of ABS and a brake servo that just won’t fit in the front of an Elise.

They are very similar cars, but with very few swappable parts.

I sold my Elise to Jon Seal. Nice guy.

Gubbin
Gubbin
15 days ago

Looks like if I want a Speedster from the Low Countries I’ll have to wait until 2025 at least and pay €20k+ but it might be worth it.
Edit: could be worse, they’re like $40k equivalent in Denmark.

Last edited 15 days ago by Gubbin
Captain Muppet
Captain Muppet
15 days ago
Reply to  Gubbin

Buy a cheap RHD UK car and just swap in the LHD rack and move the pedal box over. Elise Parts sell all the bits to convert Elises from RHD to LHD, a VX220/Speedster can’t be much harder…

Squirrelmaster
Squirrelmaster
15 days ago

Both are fantastic looking cars. The only thing on the design that I didn’t care for 25 years ago was the vertical stacked exhaust, but the rest of the design has aged so well that I don’t mind the exhaust at all now. I also loved the color choices that they had for these, and definitely look forward to maybe seeing one on the road here in the US some day.

Andrew Pappas
Andrew Pappas
15 days ago

Ah yes, GMs SS all the things days. Went to the “Auto Show in Motion” at Gillette Stadium back then. There were a bunch of GM offerings and some partially disassembled competitors to “compare” around a bunch of mini autocross courses. My dad got yelled at for hustling the Malibu Maxx SS. The guy yelled “It’s not a sports car!” And my dad very calmly asked why it had an SS badge then…

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
15 days ago

What a coincidence I was watching that Top gear episode this morning before work. It was comparison between the Vauxhall and the Lotus no mention of the Speedster. From what Clarkson said despite no Vauxhall emblems the Lotus sold 5-1 versus the Vauxhall. I would gladly taking either the Vauxhall or Speedster happily or even both.

Bjorn A. Payne Diaz
Bjorn A. Payne Diaz
15 days ago

Gosh those single din Blaupunkt stereos were good looking. I had one not much different in my MK3 VW.

Nsane In The MembraNe
Nsane In The MembraNe
15 days ago

The first 3 cars you got to drive in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 were the Lotus Elise, Vauxhall VX220, and Opel Speedster. As a result I’ve known about these forever and have always loved them. Obviously their sporting bonafides speak for themselves, but I also think they look so damn cool. They’re just a perfect little slice of Y2K weirdness with all the harsh angles, “Euro” taillights (I don’t know the technical name for them but I remember the street name), etc.

That being said I didn’t know they’re so easy to maintain, which is another point in their favor…although if they’re anything like the Elise you’d better hope that they never need any bodywork. But as a unique Miata alternative? I’m not sure if there’s a better one out there. I’ve been counting the days to import szn myself and I hope that values stay reasonable so let’s not talk about them TOO much.

Anyway, I’m sure you know the answer to this Mercedes so I figured I’d ask…why did we get the Solstice/Sky over these? I really like those and think they’re slept on…but they’re no where near as cool as a sub 2,000 pound mid engine space age Elise siblings. Was it a regulatory thing? Did GM not think the market would take to them? Was it the ole “nothing can be cooler than a Corvette” situation?

The World of Vee
The World of Vee
15 days ago

loved hot pursuit and always found it so funny that the first three cars were 2 of the same car and then one close cousin

Morgan van Humbeck
Morgan van Humbeck
15 days ago

This, and a Cygnet, and a Forester STI and I would be happy forever

Brandon Forbes
Brandon Forbes
15 days ago

Hey! Why are you calling attention to this?! Don’t be driving up prices on me!

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
15 days ago

I know we’re supposed to do taillights here, but that stacked exhaust is just wonderful. Unique but still visually pleasing.

RioCarmi
RioCarmi
15 days ago

As a fan of the MR-2 Spyder these seem really cool.

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
15 days ago

Want now. Moving to Canada.

A. Barth
A. Barth
15 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

BRBA

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
15 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

Wait for the election. Lol

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
15 days ago

Want to beat the crowd.

Musicman27
Musicman27
15 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

Hold up.

Last edited 15 days ago by Musicman27
A. Barth
A. Barth
15 days ago

of the 2,000 parts that make up an Opel Speedster, only 140 were shared with the original Elise

(Not her real name)

I loved driving the VX220 in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit.

24
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x