Oh, Vauxhall VXR8 GTS, how we love to watch thou be hooned! It really is a beautiful car, but at the same time, it is a bummer to watch videos showcasing how badass these cars really are – it’s like GM saying “hey, look, this is what your US-market Chevy SS could be! But, it’s not!”

We love the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS because it’s exactly how a full-size sedan should look and act, but unfortunately it’s one of those forbidden fruits we won’t be able to taste. Living vicariously through the internet is as close to these beasts as we’ll get, unless someone in the states just happens to fully convert their brand new Chevy SS, but that’s a long shot.

BMW’s M5 is also an awesome super-sedan which we do get here in the states, and they’re pretty common, even considering the $100k+ price tag. With both sedans producing over 550 horsepower, why not test both and slide them around on a windy European road-turned-test-track? Well, that’s exactly what Autocar did, and it seems that Steve Sutcliffe refuses to drive them any way but sideways – that’s fine with us!

Compared to the M5, Sutcliffe thinks the VXR8 GTS isn’t as fun because it isn’t as easy to drive. With the M5’s dual-clutch gearbox and other electronic aids, the car can be manipulated a lot easier.

We’re all about old-school feel, and even though there are some great flappy-paddle gearboxes out there, you just can’t beat the feeling of a standard 6-speed manual transmission – there’s just something about kicking the clutch that gets us going.

While Sutcliffe prefers the M5 out of the two, the VXR8 is still a winner in our hearts. Just look at all the car you get for the money! Even with the Hennessey kits available for the SS, we’re still hoping Chevrolet will answer some prayers and throw a factory hi-po SS into the US lineup!