| A Week at the Wheel | Cambs, England | Vauxhall Corsa SRi |

Inside & Out:

Vauxhall has absolutely nailed the Corsa SRi in terms of looks. It blends almost seamlessly between the standard model range and the lairy VXR with just the right amount of aggression and sophistication - it turned heads wherever we drove it. The interior features a number of sporting additions to mark it out from a more humdrum model. Items such as the red seat belts differentiate it without being tacky. However, the semi transparent window and heater controls aren't to all tastes being particularly distracting at night.

While the interior is roomy, the seats undermine its comfort. This is a trait we've noticed on several of Vauxhall's latest, sportier offerings, where the seats are undoubtedly supportive, but just not comfortable over longer journeys. If you're seriously contemplating purchasing this car, we'd suggest you give it an extended road test to make sure you can get comfy. While you're at it, check you can live with the lack of rear visibility too.

Engine & Transmission:

Times were when Vauxhall hatches had great engines let down by mediocre chassis. Unfortunately this trend appears to have reversed in recent times and it's difficult to be positive about the quality of this Vauxhall engine. The SRi's 1.6-litre turbo doesn't want for power or flexibility, but the uncouth nature in which it goes about its business is disappointing. On top of the rather noisy - yet not particularly pleasant - soundtrack we were left cursing its power delivery and also the reluctance to respond to a request for a change in revs.

It's quite possible to stab the throttle with zero response from the engine. Equally, when changing gear, the engine takes an age to shed the revs, which results in engaging the next gear with a jerk as the engine speed drops to match the correct road speed for the next gear when the clutch engages. Even trying to drive around this by slowing down your gearchanges is infuriating, as you're forced to pause unnaturally. Flat out, many of these quibbles are reduced in terms of their annoyance, but cumulatively they seriously undermine the SRi's credentials as a driver's car and it's a crying shame, as the gearchange is eager to please and the close ratio 'box keeps the engine on the boil, even if sixth gear is a little too short for refined and economical cruising.

Ride & Handling:

On first acquaintance the Corsa SRi's chassis makes itself felt due to the stiffness of the suspension. It's firm to say the least and jiggles occupants as it traverses the average urban roadway. It's equally unsettled on motorways where expansion gaps intrude more than they would in most rivals. Overall it's very easy to quickly reach the conclusion that this car is obviously not about outright comfort with a ride quality significantly diminished in comparison to lesser models.

The trade off for this is, inevitably, a much more capable handling car, particularly on smoother surfaces. There is grip to spare from the generously proportioned rubber and a roll free cornering attitude. In some cases a manufacturer would say that this suffices as a driving experience, but Vauxhall has ensured that the SRi is communicative and entertaining. The steering is quick and direct with a reasonable level of feel and the chassis - once the safety features are disabled - is up for a little fun and hangs on tenaciously to the intended line. It isn't as engaging as the cream of rivals such as the Suzuki Swift Sport, Ford Fiesta ST or Clio Renaultsport, but it is quite fun.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

A decent complement of gadgets and features match the majority of rivals' specifications and given the quality of the interior and the overall package it's hard to argue against the SRi's value. Other rivals, such as the Clio Renaultsport 197, are quicker or more entertaining, but overall very few match the Corsa SRi's blend of style, looks, performance and interior space and quality. Our test week yielded an average of 30mpg reflecting both the enthusiasm with which we drove the car and also its inability to pull the average back up when used as a motorway cruiser.

Overall:

We really wanted to like the Corsa SRi. Base versions of the car are Vauxhall's best stab at a supermini for ages and the VXR has been greeted enthusiastically. On paper, the SRi has all it needs to deliver: the looks, the chassis and the power - essentially all a warm hatch should have in order to thrill and seduce its target audience. A better engine would push it close to a fourth star finish, but in practice it falls short, almost entirely due to the engine - the heart of a driver's car. If driving is your thing and you like the Corsa, then the VXR is the car of choice, but it's hard not to recommend the similarly priced Clio Renaultsport 197 over the SRi.