The new Vauxhall Corsa GSi has a bonkers price tag

Vauxhall was, not that long ago, the torque-steering Hades of the hot hatch scene. Multiple unhinged Astra and Corsa VXRs offered bludgeoning power to offset their lack of Renault Sport or Ford-spec finesse. They even got cocky and started VXR-ing the Insignia repmobile, and Zafira and Meriva MPVs.

Times have changed. The VXR brand clings to life only in the ageing Astra GTC – which isn’t even the latest shape of Vauxhall hatch. Meanwhile, the rest of the brand's cars have grown up, and so far as the plucky Corsa goes, the hottest model is a new 1.4-litre GSi variant, offering only 148bhp.

Coming in 50bhp south of the brilliant new Ford Fiesta ST, you’d expect the Corsa GSi to be lots cheaper, no? No. Turns out Vauxhall is asking £18,995 for the new GSi – exactly the same price as the base Ford Fiesta ST1. Which is probably the best small hot hatch money can buy right now.

Vauxhall is quick to point out the Corsa GSi gets standard kit like carbon-effect door mirrors, tinted rear glass, a leather steering wheel and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. And to be fair, the Fiesta only has body-colour door mirrors and clear glass. Luton fights back!

Mind if you like the look of the Corsa in the pictures, you’ll need to spend an extra £1,900 for the GSi Plus Pack, to score 18-inch rims, Xenon lights and Recaro seats. Still takes 8.9 seconds to get from 0-62mph, mind. Or, you could try a Fiesta ST, for less money. What happened, Vauxhall?