Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nürburgring Edition

THE MIGHTY team from Luton have raised the bar for hot hatches once again. In the 80s there was the Nova GTE – no boy-racerwanted to be seen without one. Then of course the 90s saw it morph into a Corsa, dressed up in all sorts of popular guises.

The little car’s name hasn’t changed but this year sees Vauxhall unleash its most potent Corsa ever, the new VXR Nürburgring Edition. The pocket rocket went on sale at the end of May and, according to the company with the famous Griffin badge, it will knock all other cars in its class into a cocked hat for performance and dynamics.

At the heart of the new Nürburgring model is a re-worked version of the Corsa VXR’s 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, which now produces 205PS at 5,750rpm (up from 192PS) and 250-280Nm of torque (up from 230-266Nm). A modified engine management and turbocharger system, sports exhaust, and the ability to run on 98-octane fuel – have all contributed to the rise in power.

To harness the special edition’s new-found clout, Vauxhall has fitted it with loads of gadgetry to ensure that its 205PS doesn’t go up in a cloud of tyre smoke. The technology also reins in understeer caused by excessive throttle loads during cornering, or changes in the texture of the road surface.

But perhaps the cherry on the cake is the capable Corsa’s chassis, which received its final sign-off at the Nürburgring’s notorious Nordschleife, or North Loop. Specially made springs and dampers for the new model reduce the ride height, allowing an even higher degree of control and involvement.

Complementing this are Brembo brakes, ABS, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control. All the systems have all been recalibrated to take into account the Nürburging model’s set-up.

It takes just 6.5 electrifying seconds to get to 0-60mph and with a top speed of 143mph, the Corsa Nürburgring will deliver all the driving thrills you’d expect from a car sporting the legendary German track’s name.

The Corsa VXR Nürburgring Edition is on sale now, priced at £22,295.

PROS ‘N’ CONS

•  Performance √
• Excellent chassis √
• Exciting √
• Costly X

 FAST FACTS

•  Max speed: 143 mph
• 0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds
• Combined mpg: 37.2
• Engine: 1598 cc, 4 cylinder, turbo petrol
• Max. power (PS): 205 at 5750 rpm
• Max. torque (Nm): 250-280 at 2250 rpm
• CO2: 178 g/km
• Price: £22,295 On the road