| First Drive | Bucks, England | Vauxhall Corsa VXR 888 |

The Vauxhall Corsa is a respectable little supermini, adored by sensible customers and driving schools alike. But there's a black sheep in every family, and the 888 VXR is the Corsa's alter ego. It's an exhaust cackling, black-wheeled firecracker that's got the power under its bonnet to outgun not just the hot contenders in the supermini class, but the one above it. Thanks to a remap, 888 manages to squeeze a remarkable 217bhp out of the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, while fitting the sports exhaust adds an estimated 15bhp to that. That's quite a leap over the already rapid standard VXR's 190bhp.

In the Metal

There are no visual changes over the regular VXR really, though that's no bad thing, as the VXR Corsa is already a riotous looking little machine. Vents and slashes adorn the wider front and rear bumpers, while deep side skirts and racy mirrors give the Corsa's three-door shape the look of a mini super-touring car. The effect is enhanced with the VXR's 30mm drop in ride height and menacing black wheels. But it doesn't matter one bit how it looks, as the 888's party trick is the sound it makes. The Remus sports exhaust cackles and pops so much it's like an artillery battalion is live firing behind you, the effect exacerbated on our test car as it inexplicably came without a parcel shelf that would normally damp out the sound.

Visible luggage issues aside the missing shelf only increased the appeal of the VXR 888's exhaust note. The triangular pipe exiting the middle of the rear is one of the most vocal we've experienced on any car, ever. That's fine for those blasts when you want to enjoy the exhaust's accompaniment, but it's perhaps a bit much for day-to-day use.

What you get for your Money

More power, more focus and a lot more pace - that's what you get for your money. There are no official figures for it, but think low six seconds to 62mph from standstill, and a top speed of around 150mph. The 888 enhancements to the VXR are available in incremental stages, so if you want the suspension drop but don't really like the blare from that vocal exhaust then you can pick and choose. The suspension, though significantly lower, isn't overly compromised, the car riding remarkably well for a set up that's so focussed. There's very little body roll of course, the turn in is quicker and the front end incredibly faithful, where as the 888's rear can be easily coaxed out to play if you're feeling naughty on a trackday.

Despite that, grip is very high with the £1,360 wheel and tyre package. Traction (in the dry at least) is excellent, the traction and stability controls' thresholds high enough to allow you to exploit the VXR 888's performance without feeling the effects of an electronic nanny.

Driving it

With its heavily bolstered bucket seats sat a bit high the driving position is more MPV than super-tourer at first in the VXR. Even so, and despite their heavily sculptured backs, the seats are very comfortable and do a great job of holding you in tightly, which is just as well given the performance on offer. As with the standard VXR other parts of the interior don't work so well; the steering wheel is more heavily contoured than a relief map of the Alps and the awful VXR gearknob has all the tactility of a leather-covered house brick. In such a highly tuned performance car some sort of additional information as to the water and oil temperatures would be good, as would an oil pressure gauge.

These are small complaints that are ultimately forgotten when you first push the VXR 888's accelerator. Aside from its blaring exhaust the 888 fires forward with quite ridiculous pace. For such a small turbocharged engine the performance is remarkably linear, even if it feels most punchy in the mid-range. The steering is quick and well weighted but there's not much communication through its preposterously chunky and misshapen rim. The four-piston calliper and vented VXRacing upgraded brakes (£1,600) work well, though need a good firm shove to really bite, taking serious punishment without any sign of fading. The lower, tauter suspension tightens up the response to steering input and lessens roll, though there is some trade off in compliance on rougher roads. It's never harsh - the damping nicely judged - but it's undoubtedly very focussed. That's fine for the driver, but not quite as much fun for the passengers.

Worth Noting

Opt for all of the 888 changes to the Corsa VXR and you're right out of the supermini hot hatch bracket and into an altogether more serious marketplace. Our car cost around £20,200 as tested, which pitches it above models like Renault's highly regarded Renaultsport Mégane and even tantalisingly close to Vauxhall's own sports exhausted, wider tracked and big-braked VXR Nurburgring special edition Astra. But the 888 Corsa's appeal is a bit left-field, different from 'mainstream' hot hatches, and the individual bits can be added as and when you want them to be, and when your budget suits.

Summary

The 888 additions undeniably add to the appeal of the rapid Vauxhall Corsa VXR. However, some might find the changes go a little too far. Few are likely to find the standard car wanting for performance or poise, but if you want the meanest Corsa out there, and are prepared to put up with a few compromises for it, then the 888 VXR has everything you could possibly want. It's not cheap though.