2011 Vauxhall Corsa Reviews

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Total:	22 out of 30

Body 1
Purists might still shed an occasional tear for the passing of the original hot hatch heyday back in the 1980s but the current clutch of fiery small cars is arguably just as remarkable, if for different reasons. Vauxhall's smallest VXR-badged rocketship generates nearly 190bhp, requires less than seven seconds to punch a Corsa-shaped hole the 60mph barrier and will eventually hit the wall at 140mph. While the appeal of old classics like the Mk1 Golf GTI and Peugeot's 205 GTi remains strongly felt, the capabilities of the Corsa VXR and its rivals demand respect. This Vauxhall takes the turbocharged route to achieving its formidable performance, the 1.6-litre engine fitted with a BorgWarner turbo unit to help it achieve a 189bhp maximum power output. Like the best modern turbocharged engines, power and torque are served up in a progressive fashion from low in the rev range with no discernable lag. The 230Nm maximum torque output is available from 1,980rpm to 5,850rpm but a clever overboost facility actually gives the driver 266Nm for a period of five seconds when full throttle is deployed. It all helps the VXR generate searing pace with rapid responses to throttle inputs. The engine doesn't reward excursions into the upper rev range vocally in the way that the normally-aspirated powerplants of some rivals do but it's got serious shove down low where you want it and there's the added bonus of strong refinement on the open road. The standard Corsa serves up class-leading ride quality but the VXR takes a firmer line with springs that are 12mm lower at the front and 19mm lower at the rear as well as specially-tuned gas-pressure shock absorbers. Information about the road surface is transmitted to the driver more effectively with the VXR staying flat and planted in corners but the ride remains highly compliant, making the VXR a perfect companion for blasts down Britain's poorly-surfaced B-roads.

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