RE: Vauxhall Corsa VXR: Review

[muppet42]

It's an Astra VXR in the wrong aspect ratio

It really does look awkward in my eyes and a terrible face-lift of what was a relatively neat looking little hatchback. STs are all over the place where I hail from, so I guess getting one of these would be different...for 5 minutes.

The performance pack does sound decent value for what you get and though it's not offered now, I can see them perhaps changing it to offer the diff as a singular option later on if the demand is there. Cost wise (though every car can be very different and the motor's age definitely comes into it) I remember the Brembo upgrade package for my old car was around £1000. Unless you just went out and nabbed Coupe stoppers for a fifth of that

It's all about the drive with these things though and I wonder what a proper head to head with the Fiesta will show. That'll be a "Coming soon" I'm guessing

[Martin_M]

I bought a new Corsa VXR back in 2011 and overall it was a great car. I was expecting great things from the new car but I'm left feeling underwhelmed. The side profile looks the same as the old model to my eyes and it's a great shame that Vauxhall couldn't be bothered to design a new alloy wheel. The rear end looks like a standard bumper with a bodykit stuck on. I don't mind the front end but I probably prefer that of its predecessor. Interior-wise, it's no doubt a step forward but the package as a whole doesn't tempt me to spend my hard earned cash on one.

If I was preferred to spend the money on running costs, I'd probably opt for an Insignia VXR estate and for looks, the Astra VXR. A missed opportunity with the Corsa this time round I think.

[Frimley111R]

Did Vauxhall's press manager really think that this would be best in metallic green?

[soad]

That's a tiny spoiler.

[alisdairsuttie]

Morning everyone. Unfortunately, there was a mix up with the Corsa VXR's weight figures, so the car's kerb weight is actually 1278kg, not the heavier gross figure mistakenly used. Apologies for this and I can only say I went with the information provided at the time.

As for Knockhill running in both directions, it's because the circuit is the only one with the run-off and barriers in place to meet safety regulations in each direction. Running in reverse makes it a very different track, as you can imagine.

Again, sorry for the confusion with the weight figures.

[Clivey]

Fastra said:

st placement of the stereo screen!

I know, I know, of all the other Corsa ingredients this one may be way down the list but it really bugs me this.
Particulary as its a touch screen as they're ponderous at best - my mk5 Astra has one in the same position (possibly a bit lower) and you really have to take your eyes off the road to do anything on it - the wife hates it and says it's dangerous which it is really.
Physical normal 'button' units can go there as you learn the position eventually, but even after having my touch screen for over 2 years I still have to look at it for operation.

Lazy, cost cutting design which there should really be no excuse for.

I have to agree actually. - SatNav / touch screens and any other controls that you'd use on the move should be as high up on the dash as possible. - The space below is best for cup holders and storage pockets. The thing is, they didn't have to design it this way as it's based on the previous model, which was available with a screen on top of the dash.

[diluculophile]

I'll take it in blue.
With a Ford badge on the front, and a Mountune one on the back...

[morgs_]

court said:

No wonder the CO2 is so high if it weighs so much. Maybe not today, but there's gonna be some serious changing of the VED bands and that will look very unattractive.

Edited by court on Thursday 16th April 17:50

I missed that! £205 a year to tax already seems high vs the ST (£130), 208 (£110) and Clio(£145).

[TotalControl]

The previous VXR was better on the eye and reminded me of my youth in a weirdo Max Power way.

This one is just an ugly overweight bd. Pass.

[Clivey]

morgs_ said:

court said:

No wonder the CO2 is so high if it weighs so much. Maybe not today, but there's gonna be some serious changing of the VED bands and that will look very unattractive.

Edited by court on Thursday 16th April 17:50

I missed that! £205 a year to tax already seems high vs the ST (£130), 208 (£110) and Clio(£145).

Are you really going to notice that small difference though? If so, don't buy a brand new car! I could understand some reservations if the extra cost were significant but we're talking about the equivalent of one tank of Super Unleaded in these cars and any number of differences in running costs (e.g the price of a service, tyres, brake disks etc.) could cancel that out.

[morgs_]

Clivey said:

morgs_ said:

court said:

No wonder the CO2 is so high if it weighs so much. Maybe not today, but there's gonna be some serious changing of the VED bands and that will look very unattractive.

Edited by court on Thursday 16th April 17:50

I missed that! £205 a year to tax already seems high vs the ST (£130), 208 (£110) and Clio(£145).

Are you really going to notice that small difference though? If so, don't buy a brand new car! I could understand some reservations if the extra cost were significant but we're talking about the equivalent of one tank of Super Unleaded in these cars and any number of differences in running costs (e.g the price of a service, tyres, brake disks etc.) could cancel that out.

I'd happily pay that to tax my current car lol However, a lot of buyers looking at these cars are taking these figures into consideration. It's all very well saying don't buy a brand new car if you can't afford ~£70, but I guess you're coming from a 'cash' purchase perspective. A large percentage will be buying on PCP and running the car as a single, daily driver.

[R8VXF]

morgs_ said:

I'd happily pay that to tax my current car lol

Tell me about it!

[Clivey]

morgs_ said:

I'd happily pay that to tax my current car lol However, a lot of buyers looking at these cars are taking these figures into consideration. It's all very well saying don't buy a brand new car if you can't afford ~£70, but I guess you're coming from a 'cash' purchase perspective. A large percentage will be buying on PCP and running the car as a single, daily driver.

TBH I wouldn't be looking at any form of purchase / finance on a new car if an extra £70 per year was a problem. - You have a point re. the general public though but I'd hope I was talking to a wiser audience here.

[StottyEvo]

The weirdest thing about this is that the old Corsa VXR is around 1220kg, how have the manged to make this one 150kg heavier

[The Vambo]

StottyEvo said:

The weirdest thing about this is that the old Corsa VXR is around 1220kg, how have the manged to make this one 150kg heavier

They didn't, read the thread.

[morgs_]

R8VXF said:

morgs_ said:

I'd happily pay that to tax my current car lol

Tell me about it!

I use man maths to justify it, as the other one fits under the classic car £0 tax, so only £250 each

Clivey said:

morgs_ said:

I'd happily pay that to tax my current car lol However, a lot of buyers looking at these cars are taking these figures into consideration. It's all very well saying don't buy a brand new car if you can't afford ~£70, but I guess you're coming from a 'cash' purchase perspective. A large percentage will be buying on PCP and running the car as a single, daily driver.

TBH I wouldn't be looking at any form of purchase / finance on a new car if an extra £70 per year was a problem. - You have a point re. the general public though but I'd hope I was talking to a wiser audience here.

Sorry, poor English on my part. I wasn't suggesting you would, but that it was the viewpoint you were coming from. Which is essentially what you've said =)

[Contigo]

Looking forward to driving one like I've stolen it at Thruxton in June.

[iloveboost]

Fastra said:

st placement of the stereo screen!

I know, I know, of all the other Corsa ingredients this one may be way down the list but it really bugs me this.
Particulary as its a touch screen as they're ponderous at best - my mk5 Astra has one in the same position (possibly a bit lower) and you really have to take your eyes off the road to do anything on it - the wife hates it and says it's dangerous which it is really.
Physical normal 'button' units can go there as you learn the position eventually, but even after having my touch screen for over 2 years I still have to look at it for operation.

Lazy, cost cutting design which there should really be no excuse for.

Up higher it would have more sunlight reflecting off of it, and people would moan that it wasn't integrated into the dash. Touch screens are the worst thing to happen to road safety since horses became popular, but it's a nicely integrated unit.

[iloveboost]

Nige_GTI said:

1368kg!!!
Is it constructed from iron ore? The 208 gti is over 200kgs lighter. Hell the focus st is only a few kgs heavier!
I'll pass thanks.

It's because the lifetime Vauxhall warranty now lasts an actual lifetime, so it's made of 1/2" steel. Vauxhall got inspiration from old masters of durable high volume construction, like the T34 tank.
To be fair someone messed up the weight figures, and that adds about 100kg. Also it has 215 or 225 tyres as standard. I know that won't hide a big weight difference, but competitors seem to use 205 tyres.

Edited by iloveboost on Friday 17th April 16:33

[R8VXF]

iloveboost said:

It's because the lifetime Vauxhall warranty now lasts an actual lifetime (Or 100,000 miles).

Finished last December. Luckily I got the GTS just in time