Monday 9th February 2015

New Corsa VXR for Geneva

More power, a fresh look and a Performance Pack option for the Corsa VXR

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Now is a good time for B-segment hot hatches. Peugeot is back on form, the Polo GTI is better than ever, Fiesta STs are going cheap and even Audi has proved it can make a pocket rocket of note. Now Vauxhall is re-entering the fray with an updated Corsa VXR.

How does the "tasty rear view" grab you?

Okay, so the car you see here is the Opel OPC version but it would be surprising to see any major changes from this to UK VXR specification. And, dare we say it, the details released thus far are quite promising.

A little more power has been liberated from the 1.6-litre turbo, the peak figure now 207hp. Torque is also up to 207lb ft on overboost or 180 otherwise, available from 1,900-5,800rpm. Previously maximum torque was available only at 2,250rpm, Opel keen to boost response at low revs. A 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds and a 143mph top speed make the VXR competitive amongst its contemporaries, although a 174g/km CO2 figure looks a little profligate in the face of the 125g/km 208 GTi 30th.

Recaros and a proper handbrake - hot hatch win!

Anyway, to more pressing concerns for the hot hatch customer. New 'Frequency Selective Damping', or FSD, has been developed with Koni to adjust damping forces to the frequency of the car. Opel claims an ideal balance between "uncompromising athleticism and an adequate level of comfort." The VXR's steering, a cause for complaint on the original car, has also been recalibrated to be "even more direct and precise and gives... much better feedback." A Competition Mode for the ESP loosens its threshold and it can be switched off completely should you wish.

Moreover, a Performance Package will be available from launch too. It includes the Drexler limited-slip diff from the Corsa Nurburgring and Clubsport, "powerful grip" Michelin tyres and further (currently undisclosed) chassis tweaks. Front Brembo brakes are 22mm larger than standard at 330mm. All of this combines to make the Corsa "a true athlete that can deal with the demands of both the urban jungle and the Green Hell." Indeed. We'll hope to test that when UK availability is confirmed sometime after Geneva.

[Source: Autocar]

 

 

[Mini 360]

I look forward to seeing the many variations of 'Limited Editions'this spawns. Not what you'd call a looker, is it...?

Are we to presume its going to be another VXR nose heavy, understeer and torque steer laden pig to drive or is this actually going to be able to compete with the Fiesta ST this time round?

[RobinBanks]

Mini 360 said:

I look forward to seeing the many variations of 'Limited Editions'this spawns. Not what you'd call a looker, is it...?

Are we to presume its going to be another VXR nose heavy, understeer and torque steer laden pig to drive or is this actually going to be able to compete with the Fiesta ST this time round?

Hasn't the Corsa VXR always been pretty good?

[neil1jnr]

RobinBanks said:

Mini 360 said:

I look forward to seeing the many variations of 'Limited Editions'this spawns. Not what you'd call a looker, is it...?

Are we to presume its going to be another VXR nose heavy, understeer and torque steer laden pig to drive or is this actually going to be able to compete with the Fiesta ST this time round?

Hasn't the Corsa VXR always been pretty good?

Nope, the handling wasn't it's strong point.

[G0ldfysh]

The indicator and side lights look like they are styled by Mclaren.

[demus24]

neil1jnr said:

RobinBanks said:

Mini 360 said:

I look forward to seeing the many variations of 'Limited Editions'this spawns. Not what you'd call a looker, is it...?

Are we to presume its going to be another VXR nose heavy, understeer and torque steer laden pig to drive or is this actually going to be able to compete with the Fiesta ST this time round?

Hasn't the Corsa VXR always been pretty good?

Nope, the handling wasn't it's strong point.

Apart from the burg edition, that was supposed to be brilliant

[HJMS123]

demus24 said:

Apart from the burg edition, that was supposed to be brilliant

Correct .. the burg and clubsport where both meant to handle quite well but a downside to that wa sthe ride was extremely firm!

[neil1jnr]

HJMS123 said:

Correct .. the burg and clubsport where both meant to handle quite well but a downside to that wa sthe ride was extremely firm!

It probably was as it had pretty good reviews, I've only ever driven a standard one. I can put up with a firm right if the handling is spot on though.

[Repent]

That bonnet vent looks awful, as do the exhausts. Look forward to the road tests though, always had a soft spot for the hooligan approach of VXR!

[Swanny87]

[soad]

Repent said:

That bonnet vent looks awful, as do the exhausts.

LFA-style...

A single exhaust would be enough.

Styling department - Keith the "cardboard tuner".

[C.A.R.]

Looks like they've liberated the headlights from an Astra. That's brand recognition for you though I guess.

It looks OK - you half expect a hot hatch to have vents and wings jutting out at pointy angles nowadays, together with gigantic wheels. I just wish someone would be brave enough to bring out something with sensible proportions, no gawdy bodykit and an N/A engine. But even if you could acheive all that and get the price point and CO2 figures right, people wouldn't buy it because sh*t like this VXR is quicker on paper!

[Axionknight]

Looks crap IMO and the current version isn't all that great to drive either - spent a fair bit of time in one and I wasn't impressed.

Buy a Fiesta ST instead.

[Mini 360]

RobinBanks said:

Hasn't the Corsa VXR always been pretty good?

No. It was popular because you could make it 'sound sick' with pops and bangs after a remap and different exhaust were applied/fitted. So all the chavs and their chavette girlfriends bought one on PCP they could barely afford. A good car overall? Not by a long way.

[s m]

neil1jnr said:

HJMS123 said:

Correct .. the burg and clubsport where both meant to handle quite well but a downside to that wa sthe ride was extremely firm!

It probably was as it had pretty good reviews, I've only ever driven a standard one. I can put up with a firm right if the handling is spot on though.

I thought the Nurburgring edition was excellent fun - comparing it to a supercharged 2005 MCS and different top notch French hatches at least.

Waiting for the price to drop a bit on them

[KingNothing]

I'd still have the Fiesta over this.

[The Mp]

Awful information screen positioning! I wouldn't be keen on looking down there while on the move.

I thought EU law stated they had to be at eye level and more pronounced now.

[GTEYE]

Once the launch hype is over everyone will see it for what it is, a mild facelift of a mediocre car launched in 2006.

Residuals will continue to be dire as per most Vauxhalls.

Fiesta ST all the way.

[TaylotS2K]

I wonder if the interior has improved? The quality was awful on the outgoing model.

[The Vambo]

GTEYE said:

Once the launch hype is over everyone will see it for what it is, a mild facelift of a mediocre car launched in 2006.

Did you make up this nonsense?

Every exterior panel is different. Every component forward of the A-pillars is new. Every suspension component, too, as are the pick-up points for the front MacPherson struts and the rear torsion beam.

[iloveboost]

The Mp said:

Awful information screen positioning! I wouldn't be keen on looking down there while on the move.

I thought EU law stated they had to be at eye level and more pronounced now.

Many of these screens on mobiles and cars don't have a light sensor to adjust the brightness level. Therefore they can be eye blazing and distracting at night, or cannot be read in the daytime. Obviously you can adjust the screen for day and night driving, but it's annoying to do it every time.

Putting the screen further down makes sense as it's out of the way of more direct sunlight, and it makes it less distracting when driving. Also it discourages fiddling with it, or looking at it constantly, when driving. You can instead rely on the steering wheel controls for most tasks (and they may have voice recognition). Plus with sat nav it tells you where you're going, so there's no need to have it at eye level. Also people on here were moaning about how un-inegrated and 'stuck on top of the dash at eye level' some screens were.

You can't please everybody all of the time.

Edited by iloveboost on Monday 9th February 16:49