Vauxhall has announced details of the new Corsa VXR ahead of its Geneva Motor Show unveiling in March. The sporty version of the small hot-hatchback will be in showrooms from May 2015 in the UK.
The new Corsa VXR is a bolder proposition. A 1.6-litre turbocharged engine generates 202bhp, allowing a 0 to 62mph time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 143mph. Torque is 245Nm from just 1,900rpm.
Vauxhall has equipped the Corsa VXR with an ‘overboost’ feature, which provides an extra 35Nm of torque when you need a bit of extra oomph. Refrain from using it and you can expect up to 37.7mpg and 174g/km of CO2 emissions when it comes to efficiency.
Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) helps the Corsa offer a sporty drive but without making ride quality suffer at lower speeds, in part thanks to the addition of Koni dampers.
Two ESP settings, meanwhile, let the driver decide how much control you want to relinquish to electronics, with Competition mode turning off traction control and making ESP less inclined to intervene.
A second-generation of the six-speed manual keeps things familiar, while 308mm discs on the front bring you to a halt sharpish. Michelin tyres provide the grip needed to take on competitors like the Peugeot 208 GTI.
The 2015 Vauxhall Corsa VXR sits 10mm lower than before, has a rear spoiler for a bit of extra downforce and twin Remus exhaust pipes, all of which will keep the boy-racer contingent happy.
Inside are Recardo seats, leather flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports pedals and various VXR-branded bits and bobs. You can also hook up an Apple and Android device using Vauxhall’s Intellilink.
Those who crave even more performance can opt for the Performance Package, which adds a Drexler limited-slip differential, 330mm Brembo disc brakes up front, 18-inch alloys and changes to the damper settings.
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