Vauxhall VXR: New Corsa launched, VXR next year

Vauxhall's fight against arch-rival Ford will move up a gear this July with the launch of the all-new Corsa at the London motor show. Bigger, more refined and better equipped than the model it replaces, the next-generation Corsa goes on sale in the UK this September.

However, we'll have to wait until early 2007 for the most powerful derivative, the 200bhp VXR, which Vauxhall hopes will steal sales from the Clio Renaultsport 197. The Corsa VXR will be powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine, and performance is expected to be in the region of 6.0sec to 60mph with a top speed close to 150mph. As with the raunchiest Astra, the Corsa VXR will be available with switchable damping; the rest of its dynamic package is also suitably upgraded, as are its styling details. No word yet on price, but it should comfortably undercut the £15,995 Clio 197.