Vauxhall Corsa Hybrid

FIRST DRIVE Buyers of big-selling hatch now have third powertrain to choose from

- Ellis Hyde

AE THE Vauxhall Corsa has been offered with the simple choice of pure-petrol or pure-electric power for some time now, which seemed to suit lots of buyers quite nicely. The recently facelifted supermini was the third best-selling car in the UK last year, as more than 40,000 examples left showrooms across the country.

But there's now a third option: the Corsa Hybrid. Although it's a case of better late than never, given that plenty of other superminis have already adopted the tech. The stylish Renault Clio E-Tech springs to mind, plus the Toyota Yaris and new MG3.

The hybrid powertrain in the Corsa is available in a selection of models from Stellantis (Vauxhall's parent company), from the Jeep Avenger to the Peugeot 5008 seven-seat SUV. The set-up consists of a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that was developed specially for hybrid applications, paired with a sixspeed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has an integrated electric motor.

In the Corsa Hybrid, the engine is available in two states of tune: 99bhp and 205Nm of torque in entry-level cars, or 134bhp and 230Nm for higher-spec models.

Both set-ups get the same e-motor that delivers an extra 28bhp and 55Nm of torque to help when accelerating. It can also drive the front wheels in certain situations, such as when manoeuvring in a car park or creeping along in city traffic.