| Vauxhall are on a roll. Not content with | | | | clearly shows that it's been part of |
| giving speed freaks the fastest Astra ever, | | | | Vauxhall's latest design and development plan |
| they've only gone and given the same VXR | | | | from the start. The car rides lower than the |
| treatment to the baby of the range - the | | | | standard models and has a 25% stiffer rear |
| Corsa. It's not hard to spot in a crowd | | | | axle which combines to make the car really |
| either, with the Corsa VXR styling being | | | | fun to drive. The chassis is fully involved |
| bolder than a streaker at the Superbowl. In a | | | | throughout as is the stability control which |
| world where any fast hatchback is coveted by | | | | ensures all the power goes onto the tarmac. |
| the Max Power generation, Vauxhall have saved | | | | If you want to be brave and turn it off you |
| everyone the trouble of pimping their ride | | | | can, however not only will you go everywhere |
| with enormous aftermarket alloy wheels and | | | | slower, you'll be best mates with the local |
| air vents by putting all this on the standard | | | | tyre fitter as you'll constantly send the |
| car. The rear diffuser gives the car real | | | | wheels spinning uselessly with all the power |
| racing looks and isn't just for show, as it | | | | going up in tyre smoke. Variable power |
| ensures the car remains stable at high | | | | assisted steering may not be to the keenest |
| speeds. In fact the whole design has been | | | | drivers' taste as you don't quite feel every |
| born out of many hours in the wind tunnel as | | | | nuance of the road surface but you really |
| Vauxhall shaped and sculpted the VXR design - | | | | would have to be wearing a fetching anorak to |
| something clearly seen with the roof level | | | | let this spoil your fun. One aspect that was |
| spoiler. Neat features abound from every | | | | a tad annoying was the clunky gearbox, not |
| angle. The aforementioned rear diffuser is | | | | particularly helped by the oversized gear |
| striking, but the inverted triangular exhaust | | | | stick but this makes as much difference to my |
| that is embedded within is a masterstroke. As | | | | liking of the Corsa VXR as a broken cup |
| are the wing mirrors which continue the | | | | holder on a Boeing 747. Now to the very best |
| triangle theme with a large chunk cut out | | | | bit. With the price of fuel being hiked every |
| from each. The front end manages to combine | | | | time I blink, cars like this are in danger of |
| aggressive looks with the cheeky charm of the | | | | being priced out of the market. Yet despite |
| standard Corsa range by subtly altering the | | | | the 189bhp, the turbo, the polished pedals |
| front bumper to house a sportier front grill | | | | that scream "stamp on me!" and the stability |
| and fog lights. 17 inch alloy wheels are | | | | control working overtime, the car |
| standard although a wise investment of | | | | returns...wait for it...35.8mpg! Not only are |
| £400 on the options list will see them | | | | running costs going to be low then, but |
| grow to 18 inch monsters. The interior takes | | | | buying the car in the first place won't |
| delivery of the latest Recaro racing seats | | | | require you to sell your arms to medical |
| that aren't just immensely comfortable, but | | | | science. The UK price is £15,595 which |
| are designed to allow for side airbags to | | | | undercuts its rivals, most notably the Ford |
| remain and the chunky steering wheel acts as | | | | Fiesta ST, Renault Clio 197 and Honda Civic |
| a timely reminder that you're driving a | | | | Type R. A trawl through the options list |
| serious performance car. So to the | | | | (including those must have alloy wheels) can |
| performance. A throaty engine note greets you | | | | hike the price up, but with so much kit as |
| as you turn the key, the Corsa VXR housing a | | | | standard, you'll be hard pressed to find |
| 1.6 litre turbocharged unit that develops | | | | anything that is a must have once you've |
| 189bhp. 0 - 60mph is achieved in a mere 6.8 | | | | ticked for the new wheels. If you were to |
| seconds with the turbo kicking in from the | | | | sell the car in the future, expect good |
| low revs to minimise the dreaded turbo lag. | | | | residuals too as limited numbers will be |
| Overboost ensures the power keeps coming once | | | | available each year - only 2,500 in the UK |
| your foot is welded to the floor meaning that | | | | for example. Right I'm off for my daily stare |
| the VXR never feels slow or is scrabbling | | | | at that exhaust. |
| around for power. Despite all this oomph, the | | | | |
| Corsa VXR remains refined and less frenetic | | | | Tom London is an automotive journalist based |
| than some of its rivals. Motorway driving is | | | | in the UK. He is currently working with the |
| a doddle, but it's the twisty stuff the car | | | | Vauxhall dealer Now Vauxhall promoting the |
| longs for and it doesn't disappoint when it | | | | Vauxhall VXR Corsa VXR. |
| gets out into the countryside. The car | | | | |