Vauxhall CORSA SRi 1.7DTi
Diesel Superminis Neednt Be A Cure For Insomnia. Andy Enright Takes A Look At The 1.7CDTi Engine As Fitted To Vauxhalls Cheeky Corsa SRi
Trying to think of two words that will make you turn the page quicker than diesel and supermini is a tough call. Hamilton and Christine might work or possibly VAT and returns but its a close run thing. Having given us a high performance
mini-MPV and a
Lotus Elise-style roadster,
Vauxhall have brought us the warm diesel supermini. Whats got into these guys?
After all, the original Corsa was saddled with a reputation as something of a dull outing, hardly surprising given that it was based on underpinnings that were over twenty years old. This time round however, the chassis and suspension are made of sterner stuff and a thorough overhaul for the 2004 model year has yielded a sportier look along with an updated batch of engines. Among these powerplants we find the 1.7-litre 100bhp unit available in the Corsa SRi and it is well up to the task of putting a broad smile on the drivers face.
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The concept of a small diesel being anything other than the last bastion of motoring skinflints takes some getting used to. Yes, we accept that a decent diesel can power something like a
BMW 330i or a VW Golf TDi 150 along at a rattling good lick, but a Supermini? At first glance the lighter the car, the better the benefit from the storming torque of a diesel engine seems straightforward logic, but manufacturers have traditionally fought shy of fitting a decently punchy diesel to a tiddler and labelling it a sporty or warm variant. The reason is that the inherent bulk of a diesel engine tends to make these small cars handle rather poorly, upsetting their weight distribution. This hasnt really concerned those prepared to potter about at 29mph with an eye on the economy gauge, but for those who like to hustle, its proved something of a stumbling block.
"The chassis is well up to the task of handling the additional weight of the diesel engine in the nose..."
So, why have
Vauxhall put their head on the block and offered a sporty little oil-burner? Firstly, the 1.7-litre CDTi engine as fitted to the Corsa 1.7 SRi is one of the trimmer offerings around and secondly, the chassis is well up to the task of handling the additional weight. The diesel SRi prices start at £12,490 in three-door form (add £660 for the five-door), with an equipment tally that runs to a rear spoiler, 16-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, sports seats, a leather-covered sports steering wheel, aluminium-look trim, white instrument dials, front foglamps and an upgraded CD audio system.
You can also expect power steering, tinted glass, a rev counter, electric windows and body-coloured bumpers. All of this is sat on an uprated sports chassis. Performance is brisk rather than stunning. Sixty is dispatched in just over 10.
5 seconds en route to a top speed of 116mph, making it tempting to dismiss the sporty claims as just another bit of marketing puff. Thats until you point the Corsa at a corner. The suspension setup caters specifically for the extra weight in the nose of the oil-burner, but is otherwise reasonably pliant, due in no small part to the excellent rigidity of the chassis. With revised suspension settings to cater for this and a gale of mid range torque to catapult you at the next bend, the Corsa 1.
7 SRi is a car that keen drivers will certainly enjoy. The steering feels a little over-assisted at low speed, only really firming up when the car is moving quickly. Best to keep your foot in the corner then! The Fiesta is the handling benchmark in this class and against it, this little Vauxhall fares pretty well. No, its not quite as sharp, but the SRi gets close enough to satisfy most.
In terms of packaging however, the Corsa is now up amongst the Supermini class leaders. Thanks to a huge wheelbase, the little Vauxhall has as much space inside as competitors like Fiats Punto and Skodas Fabia. Three inches of extra shoulder width make all the difference in creating a car that feels large enough to be something from the next class up. The diesel engine suffers some thrash and clatter when pushed really hard, but it will cruise happily at motorway speeds and the ability to average over 55mpg gives the Corsa a huge effective range.
On the safety front, Vauxhall has made great efforts to inspire driver confidence. There are twin front airbags on this SRi along with ABS brakes and the car has also been designed to also accommodate both side and window bags. All five passengers get three-point safety belts and there are active front head restraints at the front to reduce whiplash injuries. Add a pedal box that gets out of the way of your feet in an impact and a bodyshell thats 30% stiffer and youve the recipe for a strong safety showing.
That bodyshell will of course be the main issue of discussion amongst Corsa owners. The SRi version looks appropriately sporty, but despite Vauxhalls best efforts, the three-door car is still a good deal more handsome than the frumpier five-door version. You have to give Vauxhall credit when it comes to keeping down the cost of ownership: this car requires servicing only every 20,000 miles (or once a year) and prices for replacement parts and insurance are amongst the lowest in the class. Whilst the Corsa 1.7 CDTi SRi may not represent the breakthrough it promises, it nevertheless makes buying a diesel supermini less of a gritted-teeth decision. It may be abstemious, but well drink to that.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Vauxhall Corsa SRi 1.7 CDTi range
PRICE: £12,490-£13,150 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 4
CO2 EMISSIONS: 135g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.5s / Max Speed 116mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 57mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags,
seat belt pretensioners
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height ins) 147/75/56"
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