Wild Corsa VXR is set for blast-off

	With more scoops, vents and spoilers than any of its competitors, the hot hatch is a truly extreme supermini

These are the first official pictures of Vauxhall's new range-topping Corsa VXR - the model which aims to be one of the fastest and best value performance cars of 2007.

Getting the full VXR treatment, the Corsa's shape has had a serious injection of muscle. With more scoops, vents and spoilers than any of its competitors, the hot hatch is a truly extreme supermini. Low side skirts plus daring new front and rear bumpers have been added to complement a large roof spoiler.

Other neat details include aerodynamic wing mirrors which are unique to the VXR model, while a Honda Civic-style triangular exhaust pipe completes the makeover. The model features 17-inch alloy wheels fitted as standard, while the optional 18-inch rims shown here will cost around £500.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine which produces 189bhp - that's 5bhp less than Renaultsport's Clio 197 delivers. But the Vauxhall will be able to keep up with its French rival, as the VXR sprints from 0-60mph in only 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 140mph. The key to this blistering performance is the car's comparatively light weight and an overboost function which increases torque to more than 260Nm under full throttle.

However, Vauxhall claims its three-door-only VXR supermini is efficient, too, returning 35.8mpg in the combined cycle. With extensive chassis development work carried out in the UK, drivers can expect a capable dynamic package. A specially tuned ESP system comes as standard, but this can be fully disabled for a pure driving experience.

Inside the cabin, the colours shown here will be toned down for British tastes. However, the torso-gripping, shell-backed Recaro seats will remain part of the factory-fitted kit.

The new model will make its world debut at March's Geneva Motor Show, before going on sale in the UK later that month. Priced at £15,595, it will undercut its Renaultsport rival by £400.

A range of special VXR extras will also be available, including a sports exhaust, uprated brakes and even a roll cage. What's more, there will be an officially supported aftermarket tuning set-up, which is likely to see the power output rise to around 200bhp.

But what if you can't afford the insurance for such a feisty hot hatch? If you're not interested in performance, you can take advantage of a special discounted cover deal, while in the autumn Vauxhall will also launch a 'warm' Corsa SRi. Using a detuned version of the 1.6-litre turbo from the VXR, the more affordable model will have around 150bhp.