RE: Vauxhall Corsa VXR: Review
Discussion
AM7 said:
I'm not sure I fully understand this whole overboost system either, if the turbo and engine are capable of putting out that level of boost/power, why not make it available at all times rather than just here and there? Is it genuinely down to engine/turbo abilities or is it just another example of added nonsense and complexities in a bid to offer a more "fun" drive?
If I was to guess I would say cooling. Compressing air generates heat which has to be taken away somehow, it could be that the turbo can produce a higher boost pressure than standard (hence overboost) but cannot cool itself adequately to maintain this pressure hence why it is time limited to avoid overheating.I think Corsas are horrible cars along with most other Vauxhalls and the VXR treatment unfortunately can't change this. I cannot see a single reason why anyone would buy one over a Fiesta ST, that said I'm sure they'll sell by the bucketload.
TurboHatchback said:
I think Corsas are horrible cars along with most other Vauxhalls and the VXR treatment unfortunately can't change this. I cannot see a single reason why anyone would buy one over a Fiesta ST, that said I'm sure they'll sell by the bucketload.
I have the new Corsa and Fiesta on site and I have to say they both seem reasonable for what they are. I wont be seeing the VXR here but we do have the ST here. Build quality seems on par with each other, and even the standard Corsa looks better in the flesh than the pics on here. Not quite sure the illuminated door trims are quite needed on the ST! 
Now the new shape Mondeo estate I've just walked past DOES look nice, but that's for another thread....
Not my cup of tea at all. The last generation Corsa (admittedly not a VXR) was the worst car I've ever drive. The performance pack is good value if you plan to track it, but for me I'd be disappointed buying a 'new' car that looks exactly like the old one and has a near 10 year old engine.
Pretty sure the last Corsa VXR was much slower when tested compared with VX's claims, even the Clubsport editions.
I did a fair bit of research as I have just purchased a small hot hatch so test drove all the options. The corsa VXR, admittedly the last generation (but the top spec clubsport), just wasn't anywhere near the newer 208/Fiesta derivatives.
Link below to the 0-60 time, 7.3 secs (see 2mins 9 secs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUXw75-Z2Ok
A bit O/T but, I also seem to recall evo testing the Fiesta St much slower than stated by Ford, extract from EVO "But the Ford’s power deficit told as the speeds increased and it was the second slowest to 60mph (7.38sec) and 100mph (18.35sec)"
Although the Ford was quickest round the track.
I did a fair bit of research as I have just purchased a small hot hatch so test drove all the options. The corsa VXR, admittedly the last generation (but the top spec clubsport), just wasn't anywhere near the newer 208/Fiesta derivatives.
Link below to the 0-60 time, 7.3 secs (see 2mins 9 secs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUXw75-Z2Ok
A bit O/T but, I also seem to recall evo testing the Fiesta St much slower than stated by Ford, extract from EVO "But the Ford’s power deficit told as the speeds increased and it was the second slowest to 60mph (7.38sec) and 100mph (18.35sec)"
Although the Ford was quickest round the track.
Chicane-UK said:
Mafffew said:
I can't say why they do the overboost. I think it may be down to getting around some poxy laws/regulations though. It's becoming quite common though, the Fiesta ST's overboost takes it from 180hp/177lb ft to 200hp/214lb ft
May be to reduce the amount of punishment inflicted on the drivetrain? I believe it's only available in 3rd gear upwards so would mean if you're abusing it in countless traffic light grand prix's, then you're putting less stress through the gearbox, clutch, etc and only getting full power when you're well and truly already up to speed. The weight of this thing is astonishing, it is literally one fat passenger away from the weight of my Volvo V70 T5 family bus (also torque limited in 1st and 2nd because the autobox is made of cheese). You cannot blame it on "modern car bloat" because the V70 is not exactly made of tin foil and lacking in safety features and luxury tat.
I love General Motors, they are always there to provide a baseline of how s
t something can be.Edited by dme123 on Thursday 16th April 18:05
Styling is ridiculous, just looks like someone stuck the front end of an Adam and the back end of an Astra to the old car.
Seriously, I just don't understand why manufacturers insist on taking a cohesively styled car and turning it into some kind of automotive version of the elephant man all in the name of a 'family face'. The Fiesta is just as bad, it was such a pretty little thing in Zetec S form before the 'family facers' got a hold of it.
After all the historically bad face lifts you'd think they would eventually learn...
Seriously, I just don't understand why manufacturers insist on taking a cohesively styled car and turning it into some kind of automotive version of the elephant man all in the name of a 'family face'. The Fiesta is just as bad, it was such a pretty little thing in Zetec S form before the 'family facers' got a hold of it.
After all the historically bad face lifts you'd think they would eventually learn...
Pyrolysis said:
Why is Knockhill the only track in the UK that can be run both directions? I'm confused
Safety barriers (aka armco) are normally set up for a single direction. Going backwards around circuits is normally very dangerous.Additionally, the placement of curbs on entry/exit or corners will be placed for going one way. But if you drive around the other way, those same curbs will be in the wrong place.
That's my take on it anyway, there may be other reasons like the pit lane entry and exit.
Edited by RenOHH on Thursday 16th April 22:25
RenOHH said:
I too am baffled by the weight figure of 1368kg.
Either that weight figure is wrong, or the 0-62mph time is wrong, or the power/torque is being under reported. Something doesn't add up there. The article says "generous torque" but that figure is lower than a standard Fiesta ST. How does it overcome that mass with almost identical bhp/torque figures as the standard ST? It can't be down to that wide torque band can it? A Fiesta ST weighs 1163kg! Also if the fuel economy figure is really NEDC then it's going to be thirsty. 37mpg NEDC will be less than 30mpg in the real world.
I really dislike the exterior, and the green does it no favours. The interior is nice enough. The Fiesta ST cannot be said to be pretty, but it does look a lot better than this.
The old weight debate! My favorite car subject. Either that weight figure is wrong, or the 0-62mph time is wrong, or the power/torque is being under reported. Something doesn't add up there. The article says "generous torque" but that figure is lower than a standard Fiesta ST. How does it overcome that mass with almost identical bhp/torque figures as the standard ST? It can't be down to that wide torque band can it? A Fiesta ST weighs 1163kg! Also if the fuel economy figure is really NEDC then it's going to be thirsty. 37mpg NEDC will be less than 30mpg in the real world.
I really dislike the exterior, and the green does it no favours. The interior is nice enough. The Fiesta ST cannot be said to be pretty, but it does look a lot better than this.
Edited by RenOHH on Thursday 16th April 13:47
The ST's 1163KG, I guess, is Fords claim for an ST1 and they say "assumes 75kg for driver and 90% fuel level" Autocar weighed a standard ST2 at 1200kg without a driver and full fuel tank. The only weighting gaining kit in the ST2 IMO, over the ST1 is the half leather Recaros/heated seats (add a generous 20kg)
TL;DR Ford are Eco with the truth.
I don't know if Vauxhall are more honest with their weight claims and/or include (like VAG) driver and fuel. Or just fat.
Citroen/Peugeot are even more mysterious. They now list two weights: kerb weight (full tank) and "mass in service". For the 208 GTi the figures are: 1160kg and 1265kg.
Weights vary even more on lower model 208's and they don't explain what is included in the mass in service.
I agree with you the performance of the VXR doesn't seem to match the weight/MPG claims. Gearing could explain some, but not all?
Is it me, or have Vauxhall just carried out a facelift rather than a clean sheet redesign? While it's all brand new underneath, the thing that matters to a lot of customers hasn't changed. The roofline looks identical to the old model, the arches, the rear profile all look exactly the same once you look past the new lights and bumpers. I've seen one in the flesh (not the VXR, mind) and even some of the old switch gear is carried over, although the interior in general is much improved. The old car is 8 years old and elements of that show through. This looks out-of-date before it's even left the showroom.
On the weight thing, I'll wait till Autocar test one and see what weight they get on the MIRA weighbridge
Manufacturer supplied figures are notoriously inaccurate - you're never quite sure what's included....driver, passenger, fuel, luggage etc...
I hope it's as fun to drive as the old Nurburgring version though ( with the Performance Pack anyway )
Manufacturer supplied figures are notoriously inaccurate - you're never quite sure what's included....driver, passenger, fuel, luggage etc...
I hope it's as fun to drive as the old Nurburgring version though ( with the Performance Pack anyway )
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff