New Vauxhall Corsa VXR with 202bhp heading for Geneva

A VXR version of the new Vauxhall Corsa is heading for a Geneva Motor Show debut with 202bhp to take on the Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTI.

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It’s only six months since the new Vauxhall Corsa arrived, but Vauxhall has wasted no time turning out a Corsa to tackle car like the Fiesta ST with the new Vauxhall Corsa VXR, revealed today ahead of a debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

Using the three-door Corsa body, the VXR version comes with enhancements to make it look the proper little hot hatch with 17″ alloys, bigger bumpers front and back, twin tailpipes and a set of racing seats to keep you in place.

There’s also Koni dampers with Frequency Selective Damping to give a better ride and reduce body roll and a two-stage ESP that can turn off the traction control and relax the ESP involvement. For track use, the ESP can be completely disabled.

Under the bonnet there’s a new version of the 1.6 litre four-cylinder turbo engine in the last VXR, but this time round it comes with 202bhp – more than its rivals can muster – and enough to get to 62mph in 6.8 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 143mph.

That extra power also comes in earlier than in the old VXR and there’s an overboost function that delivers an extra 26lb/ft of torque for overtaking. All very good, but the extra oomph does make the Corsa VXR thirstier than rivals with its 37.7mpg (the Fiesta ST does 47.9 mpg).

If all that’s still not enough, Vauxhall are also offering a Performance Pack for the VXR which adds a limited slip diff, Brembo brakes, 18″ alloys and firmer suspension.

The new Vauxhall Corsa VXR will debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March and be in Vauxhall’s UK showrooms in May. There vare no prices yet, but it’s going to have to come in well under £20k to be competitive with the £19k starting price of the 208 GTI and the Fiesta ST’s £17.5k.