Über Corsa Fires Salvo at UK Hot-Hatch Class

  • Max power now up to 205PS*, torque to 280Nm
  • Mechanical LSD for optimum traction
  • Significant upgrades to both chassis and brakes

These are the first official pictures of Vauxhall’s most powerful Corsa ever, the new VXR Nürburgring Edition, which goes on sale in late May and aims to raise the bar in the hot-hatch class for performance and dynamics.

Corsa VXR Nürburgring
Corsa VXR Nürburgring

At the heart of the Nürburgring is a re-worked version of the Corsa VXR’s existing 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 with reduced back pressure – and the ability to run on 98-octane fuel – have all contributed to the rise in power.

Corsa VXR Nürburgring
Corsa VXR Nürburgring

To harness the Nürburgring’s new-found power potential, Vauxhall has fitted it with a mechanical, multi-plate limited-slip differential, ensuring that its 205PS doesn’t go up in a cloud of tyre smoke, and providing the car with optimum traction at all times. The LSD also reins in understeer caused by excessive throttle loads during cornering, or changes in the texture of the road surface.

But perhaps the icing on the Nürburgring’s cake is its chassis, which received its final sign-off at the Nürburgring’s notorious Nordschleife, or North Loop. Vauxhall commissioned Bilstein to develop bespoke spring and damper units for the new model, allowing drivers an even higher degree of control and involvement. A visual clue of this work is a ride height which is reduced by 20mm at the front and 15mm at the rear.

Corsa VXR Nürburgring
Corsa VXR Nürburgring

Complementing this are newly developed Brembo brakes, which are 30 per cent lighter than before, and have high-performance brake linings covering a 10 per cent larger area. In addition, the Corsa VXR’s ABS, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control systems have all been recalibrated to take into account the Nürburging’s new set-up.

With performance of 0-60mph in just 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 143mph, the Corsa Nürburgring will deliver all the driving thrills you’d expect from a car wearing the legendary track’s name. But just in case anyone was in doubt, the new model gets a raft of visual identifiers: a stainless steel dual exhaust, newly designed forged aluminium wheels in high-gloss grey, and ‘Nürburgring’ logos on the B-Pillars and front spoiler lip. There are also two new colours available – apple green ‘Grasshopper’ and red ‘Henna’.

Inside, black and red ‘Nürburgring’ lettering adorns the sill plates and front Recaro seat backs, with bespoke white stitching on all seats, as well as the handbrake and gearshift console.

Corsa VXR Nürburgring Sill Trim
Corsa VXR Nürburgring Sill Trim

The Corsa VXR Nürburgring Edition goes on sale in late May, priced at £22,295.

*Using 98-Ron unleaded fuel

Corsa VXR Nürburgring Data  
Price £22,295
Engine Capacity 1598cc/turbocharged
No. of Cylinders 4
Max. Power 205PS @ 5750rpm (using 98-Ron unleaded fuel)
0-60mph 6.5 seconds
Max Speed 143mph

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