Friday 8th June 2007

Return of the SRi

Legendary SRi badge returns to the Corsa range

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Hot on the heels of the Corsa VXR, Vauxhall has revealed that its legendary SRi badge is to return on another performance version of the new Corsa.

Set to reach showrooms in September as either a three-door or a five-door, the Corsa SRi is designed to bridge the gap of owners wanting VXR show without the VXR go.

Petrol versions are powered by a new detuned 150PS version of the turbocharged engine found in Corsa VXR, taking the SRi from 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 130mph. For those diesel lovers the car is powered using the 1.7 litre CDTi with 125PS, capable of 0-60mph in 9.3 seconds, a top speed of 121 mph and an average fuel economy of 58.9mpg.

The SRi uses a specially developed sports chassis, lowered by 18mm at the front and 15mm at the rear and featuring ESP as standard. Externally a front spoiler, deep body-coloured side sills, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome sports exhaust pipe and subtle tailgate spoiler have been added to the SRi badge. Inside, red-detailed sports seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with red inserts, alloy pedals and red seatbelts.

Corsa SRi is available to order from 23 June, prices will be announced later this month and the first cars will arrive at retailers in September.

 

[Motown Junk]

"Legendary"?

[Goochie]

Motown Junk said:

"Legendary"?

In McDonalds car parks all over the UK.

[NiallOswald]

Motown Junk said:

"Legendary"?

Just what I was thinking. Hasn't 'SRi' been used in a cynical badge+alloys way by Vauxhall marketing for some time now?

[ironictwist]

As ignorant as it is to say this. Its STILL a Corsa at the end day, which says it all really.

• dons riot gear*

[Goochie]

My wife has a Corsa CDX. Its ideal for her as she trundles to and from work/shops.

However, it has appauling brakes, the ride is comfortable at the expense of handling, the engine sounds dire at anything over 2500k rpm (its a 1.4 16V petrol too !)

[Polarbert]

Is anyone a 'diesel lover'???? Granted you could like them, I don't I must add, but could you actually be a diesel lover?

[PhantomPH]

Not much of a revival since SRi has been used on every edition of the Corsa thus far, yes?

The new Corsa is receiving positive press from just about everyone, so I guess it cannot be all bad. All I know is that the interior was not my idea of a nice place to be. The outside looks fresh and funky - in a way that Ford only achieved once (Mk1 Focus) before going all 'Grandad' again, so respect to Vauxhall for finally letting designers do what they do best. That interior was just a little to 'plastic' in the example I sat in.

[drewcole81]

I test drove the new corsa, it was only the 1.2 but was so slow i could have walked quicker uphill, they have horrid wheels on them so follow any lorry tracks in the road. They have never been good cars.. and i dont think no matter what engine you put in one they ever will be.

The Fiesta is by far the better choice.

[ian_c_uk]

Bring back GTE and CDX, maybe LXi whilst at it...

[havoc]

drewcole81 said:

The Fiesta is by far the better choice.

If you're talking about the new one then this Corsa must be a dog of a car. The cooking Fiesta has all the appeal of a lobotomy, while the ST is badge-engineering IMHO...feels far slower than 150bhp, engine isn't particularly inspiring, and interior is as cheap as ever. Oh, and driving position is FAR too high. Chassis not bad, but it's no Focus Mk1...which can be had for less money...

[natwest]

Vauxhall can't even be bothered to photograph their own car. It's an Opel GSi via photoshop with the steering wheel airbrushed out... Just plain lazy.

http://www.netcarshow.com/opel/2008-corsa_gsi/800x...

[GT500]

The Chav's return!!

[ffelan]

the final nail in the Fabia vRS's coffin.. (apart from the fact that there isnt a new model vRS....)

[matt039]

You are right. The GG on the plate is Gross Gerau which is the area. Opel Zentrum is Rüsselsheim (just to the west of Frankfurt) where they make them. Most of the demo models seem to have the GG plate. Incidentally, before Opel, the factory was used to make sewing machines, I think!! Also, during the war, the factory produced tanks.

Maybe this has something to do with the lack of style, design, quality, handling in the current range of Opel-Vauxhall mass market models?

[anonymous-user]

Just buy a Grande Punto Abarth or Sporting!

[flattotheboards]

get a discounted clio 197 you can pick them up for 13k or get the proper vxr version.

[alphadog]

Polarbert said:

Is anyone a 'diesel lover'???? Granted you could like them, I don't I must add, but could you actually be a diesel lover?

Maybe, but it would be all torque ........

Far less to go wrong in a diesel - personally think they beat the shit out of petrol these days but not for the engine sound, I must concede!

Getting old and sensible(ish), mind

[deadlym]

"Legendary" in the same way that the LS badge is.

I rembember an aquaintance having a Vectra SRi 120. Yes, a 115bhp 1.8. Now that's legendary.

[sprinter885]

FWIW I had a couple of Astra SRi's-an 86 & 89 model. Both had 1.8i engines that were the sweetest revving motors with perfect reliability & could stay with Golf Gti's etc in their day. In some circumstances quicker than the "hot" 2L DOHC GTe as it was tuned for more low down power & IIRC had quicker top gear 50-70 time than a Porsche (maybe 'as quick'?). Handling wasn't too bad either but you could play tunes on front tyres thru gears-good 'ol torque steer.

OK so perhaps not quite "Legendary" but in their day SRi did mean something, often that it was a bit different to the GTi moniker and in context was decent. I guess some of you guys looking back at the figures now could easily knock 'em. 150 bhp then was generous in a hot hatch & think of the Cavalier/Vectra that John Cleland raced so well in TOCA Touring cars. That was 150 HP in road version.

Edited by sprinter885 on Saturday 9th June 09:37

[Razo]

How long before these cars start flocking in mcdonalds car parks throughout the UK?

Oh and the SRI badge is not "legendary".