THE Corsa is the baby of a new generation of Vauxhalls which has helped the British brand shoot up the sales charts. Along with the new Astra, the Corsa boasts sharp styling which gives it a fresh look. It stands out as modern and trendy and like so many superminis these days it is a little car with big car features. Vauxhall has certainly not cut any corners with the build quality or interior finish. The Design trim level is top specification in the diesel engined Corsa 1.3 CDTi line up and features part leather upholstery and a leather covered steering wheel both picked out with fine stitching. As a three door, this little diesel costs £12,240 but offers savings when it comes to economy – a factor we were keen to explore. According to Vauxhall, the 89bhp engine will average 61.4mpg but in reality over our 5,000 mile test we managed 54.3. That is still good but with exhaust emissions of 124g/km it is just outside the real green zone. Instead it falls into the £120 a year tax bracket for private buyers or 18 per cent for business users. Nevertheless it has a low insurance rating and long service intervals. The lower powered version of the 1.3-litre diesel, which develops 75bhp, is in the same business tax band but slips into the £35 a year band for private motorists. Yet, when it comes to performance, the higher powered engine is class leading. As little diesels go it has plenty of mid-range power and is great fun to drive. Acceleration 0 to 60mph takes 11.9 seconds and the top speed is a claimed 107mpg and it will handle motorway work with ease. It has a six speed manual gearbox with ratios well set up for everyday use and cruising. The only peculiarity is a touch of torque steer caused by too much power arriving at the front wheels and that is something drivers need to be mindful of. There are no complaints with comfort in the front but as with any three-door hatch the space in the back is limited and the rear windows are small. Because of the Corsa’s curving roof line it can be claustrophobic – especially for youngsters. Boot space for a little car sounds good at 285 litres but that is down to a double load zone with extra space beneath the luggage compartment floor. In normal use it will struggle to cope with a good weekly shop. On top of that the shape of the boot below the tailgate could also be a little more accommodating although the rear seats can be folded to create a maximum of 1,100 litres of space. Up front the facia has a luxury feel and is as functional as it is stylish. However, the piano black shiny trim may look the part but at night it causes an annoying reflection in the windscreen as you pass under street lamps. Steering wheel mounted buttons control the entertainment system which is MP3 compatible while the lights and wipers can be set to work automatically. There is basic air conditioning, electric windows and door mirrors but no trip computer – which is unusual in a top range model. You also have to get used to Vauxhall’s electronic indicator stalk which can catch you out when cancelling signals manually. It is all too easy to activate the opposite indicator and cause confusion to other road users. Interior materials are sturdy which means they cope with day to day bashings and it is easy to keep them looking good – and that helps when it comes to selling on. Onboard storage includes door pockets and a glove box, but that is not lockable. Bottle holders are incorporated in the door pockets and there are others in the centre console. On some fronts the Corsa boasts luxury trimmings but you cannot help feel that costs have been pared back. For example there are vanity mirrors in both sun visors but no illumination for night use. That aside the Corsa is as purposeful as it is stylish and overall a car which is well worth the accolades it has received from motoring pundits, including being voted car of the year by one auto magazine in 2007. In the supermini league at the moment the Corsa is hard to beat especially with the bonus of low running costs from its super diesel engine. FAST FACTS Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi Design 3dr
(model as tested over 5,460 miles) Price: £12,240 Mechanical: 89bhp, 1,248cc, 4cyl petrol diesel driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox Max speed: 107mph 0-62mph: 11.9 secs Combined mpg: 54.3 Insurance group: 4 CO2 emissions: 124g/km BiK rating: 18% Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles; 3 years paint; 6yrs anti-rust Service interval: 20,000 miles | 
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