Tuesday 11th March 2014

Vauxhall Corsa VXR Clubsport: Driven

Can the Corsa run-out special cut it against the latest crop of hot hatches?

---

As goodbyes go, the Vauxhall Corsa Clubsport is one of the warmest, most heartfelt we've experienced. The Vauxhall Corsa is nearing the end of its current life and will be replaced in October by an all-new model. So the perfect excuse for Vauxhall to break out the quickest Corsa VXR it's made as one final hurrah for this generation in the shape of the Clubsport.

Corsa easily forgotten with new rivals

On the face of it, the Clubsport offers little over the outgoing Nurburgring model other than a Remus exhaust with twin tailpipes. All this for a £22,390 price means the Corsa would appear to be almost completely out of contention with the likes of the 200hp Peugeot 208 GTI and Renault Clio RS200, never mind the Ford Fiesta ST with Mountune kit fitted.

However, the Clubsport is more than just an exercise in maintaining interest in an ageing model. Its suspension is lowered by 20mm at the front and 15mm out back to give it a much squatter, keener look than a standard VXR model. The Bilstein dampers and Drexler limited slip differential carried over from the Nurburgring make the Clubsport a compact hot hatch still very much worth considering.

Unlike its main competition, the Clubsport makes no bones about trying to please most of the people most of the time. It's uncompromising and at its best when being driven hard, fast and with no regard to fuel economy.

Still a blast to drive though

The changes to the suspension and differential mean corners can be taken at speeds that would be unmanageable in most rivals. There is plenty of traction from the tyres themselves, but when the Drexler differential starts to work and apportion power to whichever wheel can best make use of it, the Corsa tucks into a corner where others start to run wide.

Even when pressed harder still and understeer sets in, the Clubsport remains very controllable and lifting off the throttle, even with a twitchy right foot, induces nothing more than the nose sniffing back into line. Provoke it and oversteer is there to be had, but the Clubsport is better when driven with some precision.

This is evident in the way it resists spinning the front wheels from a quick start. Again, the differential is doing much of the work here, so 205hp in a small hot hatch is entertaining rather than overwhelming. From rest to 62mph comes up in 6.5 seconds, the same as the Nurburgring, and top speed is 143mph.

1.6 200hp turbo? Corsa doing it since '06

Where the Clubsport sets itself apart from the Nurburgring edition is the crackle from the exhaust as the red line is neared and the next gear is selected. There's nothing synthesised about the noise, it's just a free-flowing exhaust and cracking engine working together.

With the peak torque of 184lb ft spread between a lowly 2,250rpm and 5,500rpm, the Clubsport is rarely caught off-guard when you want to get going. Use the gears and it's a very quick cross-country machine, or you can leave it in a higher gear and use that wide band of power to breeze along in a fast, unfussed manner that shows Vauxhall has put the work into this upgrade.

More engineering solidarity is shown by the combination of the Clubsport's steering response, which is light enough for the daily grind but packed with enough feel to eke out the best from the strong front grip. Add in the easy, precise gear shift and strong Brembo brakes and the Clubsport is a great little car to tackle any road in. It's even quite refined, with a firm but forgiving ride.

Interior a real disappointment for £22K

Comfortable Recaro front seats provide plenty of support for all types of journey and the Clubsport can also be as practical as any other Corsa.

However, it is very hard to overlook the quality and appearance of the cabin plastics in the Clubsport. While they might be acceptable in a ten grand shopping-cum-commuter car, they just look dated and out of place in a car costing more than £20,000. It's a disappointment some dedicated VXR fans will be prepared to overlook, but the chances of tempting buyers away from the delights of the Clubsport's major rivals is slight.

That's a pity as the Clubsport is a fittingly rapid and raw farewell for the Corsa. It will find a small but delighted audience, to which we belong, but for most compact hot hatch buyers it will be goodbye, ta-ta, auf wiedersehen and sayonara.

---

VAUXHALL CORSA VXR CLUBSPORT
Engine: 1598cc, 4cyl, turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive, LSD
Power (hp): 205@5,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 184lb ft@2,250-5,500rpm
0-62mph: 6.5sec
Top speed: 143mph
MPG: 37.2 (combined)
CO2: 178g/km
Price: £22,390

[P4ROT]

Really want- just wish it was better looking, but again still want one.

[JG93]

Think the colour really sets this off well, Why is the interior disappointing? what were you expecting?

[s m]

I really like these - went in the old version( Nurburgring type ) round Oulton on a VXR day. Easy to keep up with the bigger brothers ( Astra and Insignia VXRs ) in it.
So pointy into the corners

[mike-r]

Mate of mine has one of these (normal editions) and I was pleasantly surprised by it, interior included.

[Gandahar]

In the brighter colours the Corsa looks a bit much, but in that colour it really improves it as others have mentioned. The interior I prefer rather than the blingy Fiesta ST also which looks like one of those Matsui hifi's with it's pretend aluminium.

The hardware spec list reads more like what the new Clio RS 200 Turbo should have had ....

[Roastie ITR]

Would have never considered one of these, but having driven the Nurburgring edition around a track on a VXR day, I was very pleasently suprised at how it drove.

I don't think that I could ever pay that sort of money for a Corsa though.

[okie592]

I was gonna say how can they still be turning this model of corsa out for the last 8,000 years, learnt to drive in one it was truly dire.

Isn't it the only small hatch to yet be replaced too, still using the engines from the corsa C! Amazing how they keep churning them out and selling so well with the 1.2 limited edition that's not really a limited edition

[Alfa159Ti]

I just don't understand who buys cars like this.

Guys under 25 might want it, but surely could never insure it.

Guys over 25 could insure it, but most would be embarassed to be seen it.

Girls would sooner just buy the 1.2 petrol.

[Tuvra]

Alfa159Ti said:

I just don't understand who buys cars like this.

Guys under 25 might want it, but surely could never insure it.

Its a Corsa FFS

[willisit]

I have a 2010 model (pre-facelift) and it's a great little thing. It's not fast, but it's quick enough and the engine is flexible even in 6th @ 30mph. I like the looks (it's small, and that I like more than anything) and if it lacks one thing, it's noise and comfort over distance - but it's designed for something else (short and sharp).

I prefer the looks to a Fiesta though, but that is subjective (in blue!)

[folos]

Nobody in their right mind would pay for this cash, and you could probably get a more premium hatch for very similar monthly payments. Might appeal to diehard Vauxhall fans though...

[billy939]

Alfa159Ti said:

I just don't understand who buys cars like this.

Guys under 25 might want it, but surely could never insure it.

Guys over 25 could insure it, but most would be embarassed to be seen it.

Girls would sooner just buy the 1.2 petrol.

They are actually really cheap to insure, at 21, 3 years driving experience, 2 accidents declared and 1yrs ncb I can insure one for under £700.

But I do see your point, I'd still not have one. The amount of 'limited edition' 1.2's that have been churned out to young lads who instantly stick a cone air filter on and act as though it's a vxr is embarrassing.

It's no doubt a brilliant car but I'd have the Fiesta I think.

[C.A.R.]

Alfa159Ti said:

I just don't understand who buys cars like this.

Guys under 25 might want it, but surely could never insure it.

Guys over 25 could insure it, but most would be embarassed to be seen it.

Girls would sooner just buy the 1.2 petrol.

9/10 I think I've seen a VXR when it actually turns out to be a 1.2, either given away by the badge or the different rear valance / lack of central exhaust.

I like these but agree - I'm 25 and still couldn't afford one of these (probably should have stayed in college) but £22k is ridiculous money for a hatchback as small as a Corsa. Even when you consider the heavy discounts they may attract from dealerships!

[romee2000]

Who on earth would pay 22k for a corsa?? Audi S3, Golf GTI and BMW 130i with minimal mileage and only a few years old will cost that or less while being far better cars and not having to look like a chav driving them...

[pimpchez]

romee2000 said:

Who on earth would pay 22k for a corsa?? Audi S3, Golf GTI and BMW 130i with minimal mileage and only a few years old will cost that or less while being far better cars and not having to look like a chav driving them...

Whats wrong looking like a chav if you dont care what people think :/

Anyway price is too strong,focus ST anyone .

[Charlie Michael]

romee2000 said:

Who on earth would pay 22k for a corsa?? Audi S3, Golf GTI and BMW 130i with minimal mileage and only a few years old will cost that or less while being far better cars and not having to look like a chav driving them...

Here we go again - new v used.

[Antj]

Vauxhall, the kings of flogging a dead horse.

The Corsa VXR was already an old bit of kit when it came out in early 2007, now some 7 years on they are still trying to sell it. The Clio RS has had three models in that time, The mini Cooper S has had 3 models too, the Golf GTi again has had 3 models, and many more new cars beside. It really seems to me That Vauxhall have literally £50 in the R&D pot and just can't be bothered.

also who really is going to shell out 22k on one of these now when you can either buy an early corsa VXR for 5 grand or if you want something for track a 1 year old Mini GP2 for 22k.

Vauxhall need a shake up

[NotNormal]

okie592 said:

I was gonna say how can they still be turning this model of corsa out for the last 8,000 years, learnt to drive in one it was truly dire.

Quite impressed you learnt to drive in a Corsa VXR, I'm sure while learning you got to push it quite hard and determine whether it was dire or not


Another here that drove the Nurburgring round a track and got to admit it was a fun car indeed, a very different car to the normal VXR so I'm sure the newer tweaked clubsport must also be a giggle.

[tps23]

had a look round one of these at the Autosport show, very nice in the grey but not worth going for over a 'berg. i've had my 'berg for 15 months now and:
1) it averaged 21mpg on a back lane commute over 12k miles on super unleaded
2) its on its 3rd set of front tyres - roughly lasting 6k, rears are still chunky and original
3) i got a partners discout so paid £21k for a £25k car, 0% deposit, 0% interest over 5 years, £500 cash back - perfect for a commuter mobile - i have 2 E36 BMW's to play with when RWD fun is needed
4) nothing has gone wrong/ no parts and it still looks mint in Black. The internal heater is a bit slow to get going
5) leather heated seats, afl headlights and rear parking sensors make it easy to live with
6) i like the fact it doesn't 'boom' or 'whistle', just goes where i point it, everytime!
7) whilst it could do with a bit more straightline punch to keep up with tuned scoobies near Uxbridge is generally flies

[veevee]

What is the diff doing when you're accelerating in a straight line?