Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA vs 1903 Vauxhall 5HP side viewVauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA is Britain's most powerful light commercial vehicle (LCV) and it will be also one of the main attractions at the Goodwood's Festival of Speed next week. What is more, the VXR8 will be accommodating Vauxhall's very first car in its generous load-bay!

In addition, the new model is 107 times more powerful that the ancestor, called for a reason "5HP". Built in 1903, it weighs just 272kgs (and the Maloo's load bay is 500 kg) and can hit a maximum speed of… 25mph! If we have to compare it with the Maloo: it is barely a sixth of what it can achieve. By the way that was quite quick by early twentieth century standards.

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Did you know that the Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA is driven by the 6.2-litre, supercharged V8 which is also to be found in its Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 sibling? The car deploys its power through a limited slip differential to the rear wheels, producing a total of 536 hp and capable of achieving 155 mph. The 0-60 acceleration time is reached in 4.3 seconds. Maloo also benefits from a neat Launch Control system for maximum-attack starts.

Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA and 1903 Vauxhall 5HP  front view

If we dare to compare both car's times on the Goodwood's famous hill climb (and although there isn't an official timing in the First Glance class in which the Maloo can be seen this year), estimates say that it would reach the finish line of the 1.16-mile course in 55 seconds, while the 113-year-old 5HP can do this for at least three minutes.

And despite that it seems that both vehicles have nothing in common besides the brand, there's actually one feature which is shared by both vehicles. And very surprisingly – it is the monocoque! Since 1903 Vauxhall's engineers joined the chassis and the lower part of the 5HP's body into a composite steel and wood structure, effectively creating a very early form of a monocoque design. Now, this feature is employed by almost all production cars around the world.

This year Goodwood proves to be very exciting!

1903 VAUXHALL 5HP vs 2016 VAUXHALL VXR8 MALOO LSA

5HP Maloo
  • Engine capacity
978cc 6,162cc
  • Cylinders
1 8
  • Power
5bhp 536bhp (544PS)
  • Torque
N/A 671Nm @3850rpm
  • Engine construction
Integrally cast head/block All-aluminium heads/block
  • Fuel delivery
Vauxhall spray carb Electronic fuel injection
  • Crankshaft
2-bearing Cross-bolted, 5-bearing
  • Transmission
Clutchless, 2-speed 6-speed manual
  • Drive
Via chain to rear axle Via limited slip diff. to rear axle
  • Suspension – front
Spiral springs/no dampers MacPherson Strut
  • Suspension – rear
Spiral springs/no dampers Fully independent, multi-link
  • Steering
By tiller / plenty of faith By wheel / rack & pinion
  • Brakes  - front
None 367mm diameter ventilated discs
  • Brakes – rear
Drums 372mm diameter ventilated discs
  • Wheels
26-inch / wire construction 20-inch / alloy
  • Tyres – front
26/3 255/35 x 20
  • Tyres – rear
26/3 275/35 x 20
  • Top speed
25mph 155mph (limited/est)
  • Acceleration (0-60mph)
Uh, never… 4.3 seconds (est)
  • Fuel consumption
38mpg (unofficial) 18.5mpg (official combined)
  • Price
130 guineas (£136) £54,520

Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA (2016) - picture 1 of 4
Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA (2016) - picture 2 of 4
Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA (2016) - picture 3 of 4
Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA (2016) - picture 4 of 4

Source: Vauxhall