On sportier models, Vauxhall Corsa comes with an innovation known as Variable Progressive Power Steering. This operates in a similar way to the standard car's EPS in that it alters feel at the wheel based on speed, but it also changes the steering ratio in conjunction with the way in which the wheel is turned. For example, the ratio gets quicker (reducing from 13:1 to 12:1) as the steering wheel angle increases to create a sports car like feel.

Yet back in an urban environment or when trying to complete tricky manoeuvres, the ratio again increases to reduce steering effort - making parking almost effortless. This steering package is linked to a special sport chassis with uprated springs and dampers plus a 20mm lower ride height to give the SXi a proper sporting feel.

Vauxhall Corsa also features two new driver assistance packages. The ABS system now incorporates Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Straight-Line Stability (SLS) Control.

CBC operates by detecting the steering wheel and cornering angles of the car to determine how much pressure to apply to each wheel, thus maintaining its cornering balance, while SLS adjusts the brake bias front and rear to stop the car lightening up at the back under heavy braking. Also new to the ABS system is a two-stage brake booster - as well as the standard brake assist, which momentarily applies full braking pressure if the pedal is pressed urgently, the system then operates in conjunction with the other braking systems to spread the braking power out to decelerate each individual wheel as quickly as possible. When the ABS is activated at speeds over 18mph, the car's brake lights flash five times per second to warn following motorists of the danger.

Vauxhall's ESP system also sees further development in Vauxhall Corsa. The system operates in that it firstly gives complete control to the driver, even at high cornering speeds, and only gradually takes over when there is danger of losing safe control of the car.

New Corsa features especially dynamic performance at its cornering stability limit thanks to Enhanced Understeer Control (EUC), an ESP system that operates almost as if the driver has a separate brake pedal for each wheel to quickly stop any skidding that may occur.

The ESP-Plus system is a UKP 250 option - that's almost half the price of some rivals' systems.


2007 Vauxhall Corsa Drivetrain - Economy, performance and low emissions across the range

- Efficient TWINPORT technology on petrol models
- New range-topping 1.7-litre CDTi and new 90PS 1.3CDTi
- Three petrol and three diesel engines on offer

Vauxhall Corsa comes with a wide range of engine and transmission options to suit all types of driver, ranging from an entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine to a new flagship 1.7 CDTi diesel.

All of the powerplants benefit from GM's latest engine technology, with the advanced TWINPORT system on petrol models promising savings of up to 10 per cent in fuel consumption. The TWINPORT system works by having two, instead of one intake port for each cylinder. Under limited throttle loads, a valve closes one of the two ports on each cylinder, meaning only the fuel that is needed is poured into the engine and less petrol is wasted.

An advanced engine management system controls the fuel injection and throttle input levels electronically, helping the engines run even more efficiently.

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