The exceptional value of the new Ford Fiesta ST has been highlighted once again by a rival. Earlier, Suzuki baffled hot hatch fans by revealing the new Swift Sport costs from £17,999. Now, Vauxhall has just announced prices for the new Corsa GSi, which start from… £18,995.
That’s the same as the entry-level cost of a Fiesta ST. Which has 50hp more and is a bona finde hot hatch rather than the ageing warm hatch Vauxhall.
Vauxhall’s ambitious pricing for the weedy GSi is compounded when you compare performance figures. The 1.4-litre turbo Corsa GSi does 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds and will hot 129mph flat-out. The 1.5-litre turbo Fiesta ST does 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and can hit 144mph.
The two cars are reasonably well spec-matched, too: both get 17-inch alloys, touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – and while Recaro seats are standard on the Fiesta, they’re £1,900 more on the Corsa, as part of the GSi Plus pack that also includes 18-inch alloys, leather and bi-xenon headlights.
A Fiesta ST-3, which includes 18-inch alloys and even more kit, costs from £21,495.
Vauxhall says ordering for the new Corsa GSi is open now, with first deliveries due from September 2018.