2015 Vauxhall Corsa VXR

Published Date: 4th Feb 2015

The latest Vauxhall Corsa VXR will go on sale in the UK in May following its first showing at the 2015 Geneva motor show

This new power house is propelled by a turbocharged petrol engine which emits 202bhp and 206lb ft of torque. Another 26lb ft is available with the new over-boost setting. The new Corsa VXR’s outputs beat that of its close rival and class leader, the Ford Fiesta ST, which produces 179bhp and 199lb ft from its own 1.6-litre turbo engine. The Corsa VXR can cover 0-60mph in just 6.8sec and reach a top speed of 143mph. This narrowly beats the Fiesta ST’s 0-62mph time of 6.9sec, and its top speed is 137mph.

Vauxhall is excited about the in-gear performance of the Corsa VXR, saying it can get from 50-75mph in fifth gear in as little as 6.6secs. Rounding off the numbers the numbers, the Corsa VXR has combined economy of 37.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 174g/km. The Corsa VXR’s suspension has been lowered by 10mm over the standard version on which it is based. Vauxhall says the model is fitted with dampers specially developed by Koni called Frequency Selective Damping (FSD), which are claimed to allow for both a comfortable low-speed ride and composed body control at higher speeds.

The options consist of a Performance Package, that adds a Drexler-supplied limited-slip differential, larger 330mm Brembo brake discs at the front, harder settings for the FSD dampers, and larger 18in alloys. The package is a replacement for previous Nürburgring and Clubsport special editions of the Corsa VXR in the past. On the style side, the Corsa VXR is easily distinguished from the rest by its more aggressive looks, which includes a body kit with larger air intakes at the front, side skirts, a large rear wing, and two big exhausts.

Also, the ESP and traction control systems are switchable, a first for Vauxhall. A Competition mode disables the traction control and minimises the intervention of the ESP, and Track mode also disables the ESP completely. The electric steering software is said to have been revised to be “more direct and precise”, according to Vauxhall, with “improved feedback through the wheel”.Offered as standard are 17in alloys shod in 215/45 R17 Michelin tyres. The front brake discs are 308mm in diameter.

Inside, new standard equipment includes Recaro front seats, a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, special VXR instruments, and a VXR gear lever. The Intellilink infotainment system is also offered as standard. There are six exterior colour choices, including a new Flash Blue colour exclusive to the VXR. Vauxhall has yet to confirm official pricing for the new Vauxhall Corsa VXR, but it will need to be competitive against the £17,250 of the Fiesta ST.