ON THE ROAD: IF you like your driving experiences to test you both mentally and physically then Vauxhall’s pocket rocket might be right up your street.

It puts out more than 200bhp and is capable of shooting from nought to 60mph in 6.5 seconds.

It’s seat of the pants stuff, especially in the wet - the front-wheel drive Corsa like an untrained puppy on the end of a very short leash.

Mated to a six-speed short-shifting gearbox, it can be great fun, but also quite a tiring affair as it doesn’t take much pressure on the accelerator for it to bound off towards the nearest corner.

The ride is as firm as an S and M mistress, which is fine for the driver, but perhaps not so for his or her passengers. Having a conversation can be interesting, with voiceboxes vibrating to the state of the asphalt.

There’s road noise too, but that didn’t worry me overly as I was too wrapped up in the sound coming from the twin exhausts.

ON THE INSIDE: WHILE this is very much a Corsa, there are plenty of nice touches to make it stand out from its less high profile brethren. The dials are nicely picked out and then you’ve got the flat-bottomed steering wheel and chunky gearstick. Racing pedals also let you know you are in a car with attitude.

The Northern Echo:

The sports seats are supportive and curve around the driver and front seat passenger nicely – welcome when you are turning into corners.

All the equipment is chunky in nature and there few, if any, rattles to be heard anywhere.

WHAT DO YOU GET: STANDARD features include VXR sports front grille and air dam/bumper, VXR side sills, VXR rear bumper incorporating diffuser, VXR rear roof spoiler, Dual Remus exhaust system, LED daytime running lights, Bi-Xenon headlights, IntelliLink infotainment system, VXR allow-effect door sill covers, Unique short-throw VXR gear lever, Recaro shell-backed cloth sports seats with Morrocana-trimmed side bolsters and integral head restraints.

There was also the three-spoke flat bottomed leather-covered sports steering wheel, VXR instrument panel with stepper motor speedometer and tachometer, Sports pedals, Heated windscreen, Remote control security alarm system, Air conditioning and cruise control and trip computer. Options on our car were the VXR Performance Pack (£2,400, Carbon Pack (£150) and Pearlescent Paint (£545).

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT: IT might be a hot hatch, but the Corsa is a practical sort too. There’s plenty of room for four, five at a push and decent luggage carrying capability too. Getting into the back is something of a trial, however, with the tall front seats impinging on access. That boot has 285 litres of space with the rear seats up and there are plenty of cubbies and bins in the cabin for smaller items.

RUNNING COSTS: VAUXHALL say it should be possible to get around 37mpg on the combined cycle. In town we managed mid-20s. CO2 emissions are 174g/km.

VERDICT: A LITTLE unpredictable at times, but stylish and has power to match the looks.

ALTERNATIVES: FORD Focus ST, Peugeot 208 GTI