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New Corsa's Hotting up

Vauxhall's new baby is coming out fighting! Auto Express can exclusively reveal the flagship VXR version of the next Corsa - and the feisty hatchback is nearly ready.

By Chris Thorp

25th May 2005

The mag's spies have caught engineers testing prototypes of the performance range-topper. Although the disguised car is fitted with VXR mechanicals, the bodywork of the production model will be far more extreme. The mag's images show that the finished product is a sight to behold. Adding a beefy bodykit to Vauxhall's new supermini, designers have created a fitting understudy to the Astra VXR.

At the front, the flagship model has a deep front spoiler which not only looks muscular, but also feeds air to the powerplant. The bulging wheelarches house massive alloys, and stylists have made a conscious effort not to let the bold design fizzle out at the rear.

The Renaultsport Clio 182-style twin exhaust pipes give a dramatic finish that is matched by the distinctive rear bumper and a small roof spoiler. Yet as with all VXR models, there will be far more to this Corsa than muscular bodywork.

While the original plan was to provide the new car with 160bhp, that has now been increased to a punchy 180bhp. Power comes from a newly developed 1.6-litre turbo engine, which will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

With a front-wheel-drive chassis specifically developed to provide a more memorable driving experience than the existing version, the new Corsa provides an ideal basis for a hot hatch. Testing is only just beginning to create this hardcore VXR variant, and many of the trials will be conducted on UK roads.

A spokesman for Vauxhall told Auto Express: "As with the Astra, we anticipate 70 per cent of Corsa VXR models to be sold in the UK. Britain is already the biggest market for the existing Corsa, and hot hatches are popular here, so we have high hopes for the new flagship."

Available as a three-door only, the VXR supermini will get a sporty interior to match its bodywork. Occupants will sit on Recaro seats, and the cabin will be equipped with necessities including air-con and electric windows. To keep costs down and please diehard fans, bosses have decided to leave ESP on the options list, along with luxuries such as high-spec sound systems and climate control. The final price is unconfirmed, but the VXR is expected to cost around ΂£14,000.

The standard Corsa is due to be unveiled at March's Geneva Motor Show, and a VXR concept is also pencilled in for a debut appearance. Mainstream models will then go on sale in July next year, with the flagship arriving in December 2006.

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