Since 2007, the hottest model in the Opel Corsa lineup has been the hot OPC, or the VXR in the United Kingdom where it’s sold under the Vauxhall brand.
However, Opel pulled the plug on the 204hp version of the Corsa due to emission regulations. This makes the new GSi the fastest derivative of the popular supermini available today.
However, the new Corsa GSi isn’t a direct replacement of the OPC/VXR. It may share a few parts with its now dead sibling, but power comes from a smaller 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that kicks out 148hp (150PS) and 162lb-ft (220Nm) of peak torque.
Paired to a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox, the Corsa GSi can get from naught to 62mph (100km/h) in 8.9 seconds and tops out at 128mph (207km/h). Performance alone puts it in the “warm hatch” category – and that would be perfectly acceptable if it was priced accordingly.
Instead, the Corsa GSi is priced from £18,995 in the UK, which is exactly the same as the much more powerful and driver-focused Ford Fiesta ST. And that’s where it all starts to fall apart: as a warm supermini, the Corsa GSi does a fine job at entertaining the driver, but with that price tag it simply can’t compete against the hot Fiesta.
Auto Express’ Sutcliffe delivers his verdict on the sportiest version of the current Corsa lineup on the video that follows.