The new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa's a smart-looking little hatchback that our friends in Europe and the UK get to enjoy while we watch from the sidelines. GM hasn't seen fit to send the little Fit-fighter our way, but with Saturn and Opel tied at the hip now, our hopes for such a thing seem far less unrealistic. After all, at this time last year, the idea of seeing the Astra in the US was a pipe dream -- one that's been fulfilled with the confirmation that it's headed over as a 2008 Saturn.

The latest reason to want a Corsa comes as both divisions release their performance variants. Vauxhall's just pulled the wraps off the Corsa VXR while Opel unveiled the identical Corsa OPC - a three-door pocket rocket powered by a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.6L. Before you scoff at its 6.8-second 0-60 time as being "slow," know also that it has a top end of 140 mph and reportedly delivers a fuel economy of around 30 US miles per gallon in combined use (35.8 imperial mpg). That's a pretty good set of numbers across the board, and it sounds like the turbo Corsa wouldd make for one seriously fun commuter car.

tylewise, the Corsa VXR/OPC doesn't disappoint in the least, with racy skirting all around, a roof spoiler, blacked-out grillework, big wheels and tires, and a very slick-looking triangular center exhaust outlet. Inside, it's very "New GM"-looking, with shiny piano black accents similar to those found in our market's Saturn Sky Redline, a VW GTI-style flat-bottomed wheel, and racy-looking sport seats. All in all: very nice.

Article key :  Opel Corsa OPC, Opel Corsa, Opel, Corsa OPC, 2008, 2009