Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Corsa GSi prices announced – to start at £19k

Priced the same as the new Fiesta ST, the Corsa GSi has a tough battle ahead with its warm supermini

2018 vauxhall Corsa GSi

Vauxhall has just announced local pricing for its new Corsa GSi. More of a semi-skimmed supermini than full-fat hot hatch, the GSi should rival cars like the Fiesta ST-Line and Suzuki Swift Sport, but priced from £18,995 will cost exactly the same as the Fiesta ST.

The new GSi is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 148bhp – around 50bhp down on the Fiesta ST. The torque figure is plump enough at 162lb ft, but when applied on the road, it’s hard to ignore the Corsa’s near 9.0sec 0-62mph time, calling into question its position in the marketplace.

Advertisement - Article continues below

> Ford Fiesta ST-Line 2017 review 

Standard equipment on the Corsa is strong, though, featuring VXR-lite styling and an upgraded interior, but you’ll need to spend an extra £1800 to get your GSi fully kitted out with the optional GSi Plus pack. Comprising Recaro seats, bi-xenon headlights and 18-inch wheels, these additions can also be had as options on the Fiesta ST, actually undercutting the Corsa’s price in the process.

Suzuki went through a similar conundrum when pricing was announced for the Swift Sport, a car that by all accounts we should adore at evo thanks to its bantamweight body and torque-filled engine, but like the Vauxhall, was brought to market at just too high a price (at £17,999, incidentally).

The Corsa looks to be heading down the same path, raising the question of whether Ford has caught its rivals off guard with its new ST, or whether Vauxhall has put too much faith in the historic GSi brand. Available from September, the new Corsa GSi has a tough battle ahead convincing potential buyers out of the new Fiesta ST.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Lancia Delta Integrale (1987 - 1994) – history, review and specs of Italy's rally icon
Lancia Delta Integrale front
Reviews

Lancia Delta Integrale (1987 - 1994) – history, review and specs of Italy's rally icon

Hugely successful in its day, the Integrale’s appeal is just as strong now as it was back in the late ‘80s
6 Feb 2025
Alpine A290 GTS 2025 review – is the Renault 5 relative a true hot hatch?
Alpine A290 – front
Reviews

Alpine A290 GTS 2025 review – is the Renault 5 relative a true hot hatch?

Alpine’s all-electric future starts with the Renault 5-based A290. Does it have enough edge to warrant the Alpine badge?
5 Feb 2025
Toyota GR Yaris Fast Fleet test – 6000 miles in the homologation hatch
evo Fast Fleet Toyota GR Yaris
Long term tests

Toyota GR Yaris Fast Fleet test – 6000 miles in the homologation hatch

It had neither Circuit nor Convenience Pack, but did our basic GR Yaris prove less can be more?
29 Jan 2025
Toyota Yaris GRMN (2017 - 2018) review – the forgotten Ford Fiesta ST killer?
Toyota Yaris GRMN
Reviews

Toyota Yaris GRMN (2017 - 2018) review – the forgotten Ford Fiesta ST killer?

Toyota Gazoo Racing sprung out the gates with the supercharged Yaris GRMN, a bombastic hot hatch that now hides in the shadow of the GR Yaris
21 Jan 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Alpine A110 R Ultime is faster than a 991 Turbo S at the Nürburgring
Alpine A110 Ultime
News

Alpine A110 R Ultime is faster than a 991 Turbo S at the Nürburgring

The most focussed A110 yet lowers the Nordschleife time of the A110 R by 20 seconds, going some way to justifying its expected £180,000 price tag
7 Feb 2025
New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era
Jaguar 2026 front
News

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era

Jaguar’s new electric GT continues testing ahead its late-2025 reveal
7 Feb 2025
Alpine A290 GTS 2025 review – is the Renault 5 relative a true hot hatch?
Alpine A290 – front
Reviews

Alpine A290 GTS 2025 review – is the Renault 5 relative a true hot hatch?

Alpine’s all-electric future starts with the Renault 5-based A290. Does it have enough edge to warrant the Alpine badge?
5 Feb 2025