Vauxhall Corsa VXR (07 on) - Review

The 192bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is well suited to this little hatchback and means the VXR is the most powerful Corsa ever. It has a similar character to the Astra VXR with a wide power band and a snappy throttle while hard acceleration results in a rather odd induction whoosh noise which isn't particularly pleasant. Around town it can be a tricky car to drive due to sudden power delivery but this isn't noticeable in the VXR's natural environment of country lanes and twisting roads. It's an enjoyable engine to exploit and revs happily plus there's an overboost feature which gives a five second increase in engine muscle when the accelerator is pushed to the floor.

The VXR's weight is relatively low when compared to other small but sporty cars and along with a stiffer suspension set-up and lower ride height than the standard Corsa, makes for an eager and responsive car through corners. Its real strength is it's agility - the steering is impressively sharp and it turns into corners with minimal body roll. However due to the sudden power delivery the car can pull from side to side under hard acceleration and the traction control often has to work quite hard. Other hot hatches offer more driver involvement but few are as refined and easy to live with as the Corsa VXR thanks to its composed ride.