Hot Corsa VXR unleashed

• New Corsa VXR costs less than £16,000
• Car on sale here in March
• Uses uprated version of Meriva VXR engine

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This is the all-new Vauxhall Corsa VXR, set to stir up the mini hot-hatch market when it comes here in the spring.

On sale in March, it will cost £15,595 -£400 less than Renault's Clio Renaultsport 2.0. It's faster than its French rival too, covering 0-60mph in a claimed 6.8sec (Clio 7.5sec) and reaching a top speed of 140mph (Clio 128mph). It's also less thirsty than the Renault, with a combined economy figure of 35.8mpg compared with the Clio's 31.7mpg.

Power comes from the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine from the Meriva VXR, uprated from 178bhp- to 190bhp. Like the Meriva, the Corsa has an overboost feature that temporarily increases pulling power to a maximum of 192lb ft to shorten overtaking distances.

It's only available as a three-door and it comes with unique triangular mirrors, front foglamp surrounds and centre exhaust outlet.

There are deep front and rear bumpers and side skirts, too, and an angular spoiler is set into the roof. A mesh grille, blue brake calipers and 18-inch alloys also make sure you won't mistake it for any other Corsa.

Recaro sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, drilled alloy pedals and piano-black dash trim decorate the interior.