The VX220 was a significant change for Vauxhall, which usually made simple passenger cars. Instead, the Vauxhall VX220 was a two-seat roadster. The VX220, like many Vauxhalls, would share similar underpinnings with other brands. This time, the Daewoo Speedster, Opel Speedster, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky would be its siblings. The mid-rear engine placement, rear-wheel drive, and light weight were all hallmarks of the car's designer, Lotus. The roadster was built with a 2.2L Ecotec inline four motor and was only available with a manual transmission. In 2004, the performance variant of the car was released, the VXR220. Under the VXR guise, the car was turbocharged and produced 220hp. The VX220 was only made until 2005, with no natural successor.