Hot hatches are welcoming their latest addition which is no other than the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa OPC/VXR.
Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre unit, the new Corsa VXR produces 205PS/202hp and up to 280Nm/206 lb ft of torque between 1900 and 5800rpm. 0-60mph (96km/h) 1comes in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 143mph (230km/h).
The engine now claims to offer better responsiveness thanks to a new intake, intercooler, and fuel injectors, especially in the lower rev range. The also new exhaust was co-developed with Remus and features the same twin pipes we saw in the previous Nurburgring Edition.
Also, you can now opt for the Performance Package which includes several goodies from the outgoing aforementioned model. Priced at £2,400, the package includes a Drexler limited-slip diff, larger 330mm Brembo front brake discs, more “focused” damper settings and a set of 18-inch alloy wheels dressed in Michelin Pilot Supersport tyres.
Suspension-wise, the company partnered up with Koni in developing the dampers for the Corsa VXR. These include a new technology known as Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) which firm up when the car is driven fast and optimize the ride quality at lower speeds. FSD technology is an entirely mechanical solution and does not require any electronic components such as sensors or engine control units according to the company. The ride height has been lowered by 10mm and for the first time a two-stage ESP system is offered with the option of fully disabling it for track use.
“A high degree of driving involvement was our priority right from the start of development,” said Volker Strycek, Vauxhall/Opel’s Director Performance Cars & Motorsport.
The new Corsa VXR is priced from £17,995 in the UK which makes it not only cheaper from its predecessor but also from the established opposition like the new VW Polo GTI and the Renault Clio RS.
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