Being little more than a 20-year-old cloaked in middle-aged body I’ve been quite keen to climb behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Corsa VXR for quite some time so I was unsurprisingly excited when that opportunity presented itself.

I drive a last-generation Corsa Black and, while I can’t complain about things that really matter – reliability and comfort for example – the steering is ludicrously light and the ride a little fidgety and, having already driven the latest version in less potent configuration I was intrigued to see how the hottest Corsa compared.

It’s worth pointing out that my test car, resplendent in appropriately named Flash Blue, was equipped with the Performance Pack, a £2,410 option that adds 18in alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, larger front brake discs and callipers, even stiffer springs and damper settings and VXR’s motorsport-derived Drexler mechanical limited-slip differential.

It’s a pricey option but Vauxhall expects half of VXR owners to splash out on the Performance Pack which is the reason it was fitted to my test car.

To ensure that it looks the part Vauxhall have added a unique rear roof spoiler, sports front grille and air dam/bumper, side sills, rear bumper incorporating a diffuser, dual Remus exhaust system as well as LED daytime running lights and bi-xenon headlights.

Power from the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine remains pegged at 202bhp with torque overboosted to a temporary high of 207lbft. Changes include new intake and exhaust manifold and a new ECU.

The driveline has undergone more extensive changes with a new flywheel and clutch fitted while General Motors’ new MT6 manual gearbox is the only transmission available.

If you’re in the market for a VXR then probably the two most important manufacturer’s figures will be these: Zero to 60mph in a claimed 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 143mph where legal, of course.

While I wasn’t able to confirm the top speed, for obvious reasons, I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of Vauxhall’s claim but I can, however, admit defeat in trying to match their zero to 60 figure. That can be partly ascribed to the fact that I’m not a particularly skillful driver – I know, I know – but even allowing for that, and the not-so-perfect conditions, the near half-second deficit is merely the symptom of a more fundamental issue: The lack of traction from a standing start.

Don’t expect to be disappointed, however, because it still feels blindingly rapid, like it’s always itching to get going. There’s some torque steer when you floor the throttle so a tight grip on the wheel is recommended but the VXR will launch itself forward with enough force to pin you back in your seat.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is the lack of an appropriate soundtrack to accompany you. The Remus exhaust system is undeniably loud, but surprisingly soulless.

That this is a car for dedicated drivers with oodles of enthusiasm becomes apparent after just a few miles. The ride is firm, uncompromising and, on occasions, uncomfortable but remember, you asked for this when you ticked the Performance Pack option box.

That said, it’s only while traversing particularly uneven road surfaces that the level of discomfort ventures beyond bearable. There’s very little subtlety from the Koni shocks as they struggle to smooth out what can be, at times, a fidgety, skittish ride.

The steering is meaty, and guiding the VXR through corners really can be a case of all hands to the pump, or in this case the three-spoke flat-bottomed wheel, as the front wheels’ frequent and forceful scramble for grip is transmitted back to the driver.

The cabin in the standard Corsa is a very pleasant place to be and Vauxhall have, thankfully, resisted the urge to meddle too much with the interior in order to achieve that £bespoke" hot hatch ambience.

Instead the changes are largely subtle, only shirking that approach where the gains are greatest, such as the Recaro seats, for example, which provide support and comfort in equal, and copious, amounts.

The VXR-specific gear-knob is on the large side, and someone with smaller hands might find it a little unwieldy, but the throw is short, and the action sweet and precise.

Additional changes include sports pedals, unique instrument panel with stepper motor speedometer and tachometer and faux alloy door sill covers.

The overall effect is one of tasteful exuberance. There’s more than enough of a hot hatch hint about the cabin without advancing beyond the boundaries of reasonable taste.

There is just one performance-related button in the cabin. You push it once for Competitive mode, longer for nothing at all.

It does feel, however, as if the lower half of the dashboard has fallen victim to some cost-cutting exercise. There’s a sizeable swing in the quality of materials – from satisfyingly solid to flimsy – from top to bottom but as long as you’re not the type who spends their time constantly poking and prodding those differences will prove inconsequential.

Visibility is good out the front, sides and rear, at least but the three-door’s thick C-pillars do serve up a bit of a blind spot. This is a small car, however, and it shouldn’t prove to be much of an issue for the majority of drivers. For the rest, well, there are always parking sensors.

One thing I, nor front seat passengers, ever complained about in my last gen Corsa is the amount of room on offer and that trend continues in the new model.

Passengers in the rear aren’t so well catered for. Access is easy enough – the front seats fold and slide forward – but head and legroom is limited once everything is back in its place.

The R4.0 IntelliLink infotainment system supports smartphone projection via either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Also standard is Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio, air conditioning, and cruise control.

Vauxhall’s OnStar, which gives drivers access to call centre services via an array of three buttons behind the rear view mirror, is standard. The system uses GPS to track the location of your vehicle and, depending on your circumstances, you can contact an advisor directly.

They are able to provide assistance in a number of situations. For example, the service can diagnose maintenance or technical issues, or contact the emergency services if you’ve been involved in a crash.

If you’ve ticked the sat nav on the options list advisors can send guidance directly to your car to help you locate a garage if you’re running low on fuel.

Unsurprisingly there’s an app, too, which will also connect you to an OnStar advisor and offers useful functions such as remote door unlocking.

One more little trick that OnStar has tucked away up its virtual sleeve is the ability to act as a wifi hotspot for up to seven devices... in a car that only seats five people.

You can, if you wish, disable the GPS tracking though I can’t imagine any circumstance when that might be a good idea.

The Corsa VXR isn’t subtle by any stretch, and that alone will be enough to tempt some buyers, but it isn’t all show. Its traction, dynamic ability and driver involvement are laudable but you have to bring your A-game to extract the very best from the small hatch.

Vauxhall Corsa VXR

Price: £19,245

As tested: £24,205

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 205PS @ 5,800rpm

Max torque: 280Nm @ 1,900rpm

Max speed: 143mph

Acceleration (0-60mph): 6.5 seconds

Urban: 28.5

Extra-urban: 45.6

Combined:37.7

Emissions (CO2 ):174g/km

For more information visit www.vauxhall.co.uk