In recent years, Vauxhall has gained a reputation for building fast and lairy hot hatchbacks, and the latest Corsa VXR upholds this. But for many, the hard ride, aggressive looks and excessive road noise make it a bit much to live with on rutted UK roads. That’s where the new and unassuming Corsa Red Edition comes in.
Don’t be fooled by the name; this isn’t just another quick paintjob and trim update for dealers to shift. Underneath the racy red skin lies the same 148bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine you’ll find in the Vauxhall Adam S. For good measure, the brand has also thrown in a gloss-black roof, black mirror surrounds, a bodykit and new 17-inch alloys. A Black Edition is also available, and there are no prizes for guessing what that model looks like.
Inside, the Red is broadly the same as the regular three-door Corsa, apart from some red detailing on the dashboard. It’s all fairly robust, and the piano-black panel across the dash helps give the Corsa a more premium feel. It’s a shame that Vauxhall couldn’t stretch to a pair of sportier looking seats, though, as the standard ones aren’t very exciting or supportive.
On the plus side, space in the back is fine for two adults, while standard kit includes cruise control, a seven-inch touchscreen and GM’s OnStar concierge system, so it’s pretty well equipped, too.
Given how brilliant the EcoBoost turbo petrol is in the Ford Fiesta Red and Black editions, we’re surprised Vauxhall hasn’t beefed up its 113bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit for the Corsa Red. Instead, there’s the 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo, but it does provide a smooth drive at low speeds. It’s punchier than the figures suggest, too, thanks to a healthy 220Nm of torque.
You need to rev it past 3,000rpm to get the best out of it, and performance tails off towards the red line, but find the sweet spot, and it feels strong and sporty. It might not match the economy figures of a Fiesta, but in mixed driving, we saw a respectable 38mpg.
Just don’t expect it to attack corners like the VXR. It gets sports suspension and a slightly lower ride height, but there’s still a fair amount of body roll and limited front-end grip. The steering is light, though, and it does feel nimble, giving an overall ride that’s much better than most warm hatches, but it still can’t match the Fiesta for outright driving enjoyment.
- Model: Vauxhall Corsa Red Edition 1.4 T 150
- Price: £17,125
- Engine: 1.4-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
- Power: 148bhp
- Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 8.9 seconds
- Top speed: 129mph
- CO2: 132g/km
- On sale: Now