Vauxhall Readies Its Fiesta ST Fighter – Are You Listening, Chevrolet?
The internet is littered with half-hearted, nonsensical clickbait encomiums to products that have a “notgonnahappen.com” chance of ever coming to our market. But this time, it’s different – sort of.
Vauxhall is readying the next Corsa, which will be unveiled next week, and a hot VXR version is all but confirmed for future production. The Corsa VXR will reportedly have more power than the Ford Fiesta ST and the Renaultsport Clio 200, which both put out around 200 horsepower from their 1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder engines.
We will probably never see the Corsa VXR here, since the Corsa rides on a unique platform shared with Fiat and used only for A and B segment Opel/Vauxhall cars. World markets get the Gamma II platform that the Chevrolet Sonic rides on – but there’s no reason Chevrolet couldn’t copy the formula to create a sport Sonic. How about the all new, 200 horsepower 1.6L Ecotec that’s rumored to be in the VXR, and already in the Opel Cascada (in a slightly lower output)?
More by Derek Kreindler
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I know there is at least grumblings that the GM 1.6L turbo 4 will find its way under the hood of the Buick Encore. The 2.0 DI turbo 4 apparently won't fit under the hood of the Encore/Sonic - which would make a rocket ship out of the Sonic in particular. The Encore sells well, despite being very down on power. A "hot hatch" Sonic, given the general praise I've read, sure would be interesting. As long as it isn't crippled with a slushbox only option.
I always thought the Fiesta ST kinda put the top of the line Sonic to shame. There's a 1,000 difference between base prices on a Sonic RS and a Fiesta ST. The features the Sonic has that the Fiesta doesn't (according to TrueDelta) are knee and rear side airbags, rearview camera, telematic services, and heated leather seats. The Fiesta has comfort access, adjustable lumbar, better infotainment (navigation, hd radio, acc, SD card reader, text reader), and a full size spare tire (vs temp in the Sonic)...not to mention the extra 60 hp and god knows how much more fun per dollar. Oh, and the Fiesta's mileage is 26/35 vs 26/38 for the Sonic.
It would be nice if the Sonic RS could stop being the Cavalier RS (an appearance package) and become the Camaro RS (actually at least somewhat designed for performance).
In this country, what's the market potential for a Sonic that moves? I'd like to drive it, especially as a free press loaner, but who would buy it? The Sonic's I see are toting 3 - 4 usually same gender 20 somethings who I guess are either roomies or just friends sharing a utility ride or a silver haired couple. Is there anyone with either funds or lack of debt aversion to seek the pleasure or vanity of a hot hatch that wants to do that in the Sonic branded loud tin can package?