THE thunder from down under is about to get louder after Vauxhall announced that the lamented Monaro is to be replaced in the UK by a new Aussie musclecar - the VXR8.

Available from July priced at £34,995, it will fill the vacant slot left by the previous generation Monaro which offered raw and exciting performance thanks to its V8 engine and rear-wheel-drive set up.

The robust-looking new saloon is powered by the same 6.0-litre motoras the outgoing Monaro VXR, but revisions to the engine have made it even more efficient.

It now develops a massive 420bhp, giving it enough grunt to sprint from zero to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Based on Australia's Holden HSV Clubsport R8, it also offers more in the way of practicality than the outgoing Monaro, with four doors and space for all the family.

For the technical enthusiasts driver aids such as the stability system and traction control can be turned off at the flick of a switch.

In response to customer demand, the VXR8 will also be the first VXR model to be offered with an automatic gearbox. The optional £1,400 self-shifter having a manual override and a sport setting which makes the auto only half a second slower to 60mph than the manual.

Satellite navigation and 20-inch wheels will be offered as options for those who want to make their VXR8 look more distinctive.