Vauxhall Corsa 1.6 SRi (2007) CAR review

Vauxhall has revived the boy racer’s machine of choice. But rather than Nova SR, it's now called Corsa SRi, and you can even get a diesel. But we've got the turbocharged car on test, with a detuned version of the Corsa VXR's engine. Just think, in eight years times the streets will be lined with lots of white SRis.

Hang on, I’m getting confused. Doesn’t Vauxhall already have the sporty Corsa market covered with the SXi and VXR?

Indeed it does. But why, if you’re modelling yourself as a youthful, sporty, BTCC title-winning manufacturer, settle for just two racy versions of your best-selling hatch, when you can retail three? It works thus: SXi, with its double-digit bhp engines, is for newbies, and for Vauxhall to offer with free insurance. You can get a 1.2 SXi, which jsut isn't boy racer enough. The VXR, in contrast, is the uncompromised 189bhp nutter. But what about the gap in the middle?

Enter the SRi, with a detuned 147bhp 1.6-litre turbo from the VXR, or a 123bhp 1.7-litre turbodiesel. With lots of the VXR’s styling kudos, it certainly looks the part. Yet, in as-tested petrol guise, costs £13,625. If the VXR is the GTE of today, this is the Nova SR incarnate.