It seems that UK buyers can't get enough ...[Derived headline]

It seems that UK buyers can't get enough of the Vauxhall Corsa --and with good reason. It's well-built, keenly priced and has beenupdated both in style and engineering to remain fresh. The Excitespecial edition model adds features such as an integrated Bluetoothsystem and an MP3-compatible stereo with AUX-IN facility. It's not agame changer but it'll certainly prove popular.

We think the car market evolves gradually but since thisgeneration Vauxhall Corsa was launched in 2006, there's been aseismic shift in priorities. Back then, what sold a car washandling, safety, equipment and build quality, all features wherethe little Vauxhall scored well. Since then the emphasis has changeddrastically, and in 2011 it's all about value, fuel economy andemissions. Vauxhall has kept abreast of these revised priorities andthe Corsa remains Britain's best-selling small car.

Vauxhall clearly thinks it's now time to look beyond thefundamental arithmetic of running costs and start putting theenjoyment back into car purchasing. The Excite special edition mightjust be a tentative toe in the water that points towards bettertimes.The Excite doesn't do anything to change the Corsa'sfundamental attributes. It's long been a safe and steady handler,instead drawing on its other attributes to impress customers. In2010, the Corsa was treated to a raft of chassis upgrades. Revisedfront suspension means less roll when entering corners and bettersuppression of bumps. The steering was fettled and the ESP stabilitycontrol re-tuned to make it smarter and less intrusive -- althoughyou'll pay extra for this.

There's a decent array of engine choice. On the petrol menu arethe 1.0-litre, 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre units which now produce64bhp, 84bhp and 99bhp respectively. The smaller petrol units canfeel a little overwhelmed by the Corsa's bulk but no modern super-mini can get by without decent diesel engines and the Excite modelfortunately has one available.

The 1.3-litre CDTi is the entry-level engine in the line up andmanages a modest 74bhp but it's an excellent unit for city driving.

Corsa Excite customers get the choice of three and five-doorversions offering plenty of space up front and less in the back, intypical supermini style. All Corsa models feature a relativelyelevated driving position, but a wheel that's adjustable for reachand rake helps all but the very tallest drivers get comfortable.

Quality remains strong and a refreshing of some cabin materialsonly underscores that impression. A 285-litre boot is adequate forthe weekly shop or weekend away, although it can extend to 1100litres by folding rear seats.

The styling still looks good, with the three-door model's steeplycanted C-pillars looking decidedly rakish. Excite models also get 16-in alloy wheels which offer a decent compromise between cossetingride and aesthetics.

The Excite is largely based on the budget S edition but adds afew extras such as those 16-in alloy wheels, Bluetooth mobile phoneconnectivity and a stereo that plays MP3s and features AUX-IN sothat you can synch an MP3 player through it. There are also steeringwheel mounted stereo controls, air conditioning and heated doormirrors. Rather disappointingly for this day and age, ESP stabilitycontrol is a Pounds 465 option right across the Corsa range. Itwould have been a decent inclusion on the Excite.

With prices from Pounds 12,325, the Corsa Excite looks decentvalue for money, but this will only buy the rather weedy 1.0-litrepetrol engine. The far preferable 1.2-litre Excite costs a merePounds 350 more, slashing 0-60mph from a yawn-inducing 17 seconds toa brisker 12.7 seconds.

The 1.0-litre engine, for all its deathly acceleration, does haveits advantages, dipping under 120g/km of carbon dioxide emissions.The 1.2-litre can also achieve this, but only if fitted with theoptional Easytronic automatic gearbox. Thus equipped, the 1.2 gets55.4mpg unleaded, which makes paying extra for the diesel model adebatable economy.

Low prices, strong economy and low insurance costs make the Corsaan attractive proposition for supermini buyers on a tight budget butVauxhall's aggressive pricing and use of promotional special editionmodels such as this Excite means that residual values are a littlebit below the best in the class.

Due to its popularity, it's a car that's easy to pigeonhole as asort of Tesco among cars. Drive one and you'll realise this sort ofstereotyping does it a grave disservice.

The Excite takes the basic formula and just adds a few worthwhileextras such as the 16-in alloys, Bluetooth integration and moremodern stereo system. If you're shopping towards the entry-level endof the Corsa range, this special edition elbows its way to the fore.

With solid build quality, sharpened driving manners, a fresherface and some of the most economical engines on offer anywhere, theCorsa more than stacks up. Factor in prices which usually undercutless sturdy opposition and it's a small car that needs no excuses.The Excite model won't grab any headlines, but it's bound to do verygood business for Vauxhall.

It seems that UK buyers can't get enough ...[Derived headline]

It seems that UK buyers can't get enough of the Vauxhall Corsa --and with good reason. It's well-built, keenly priced and has beenupdated both in style and engineering to remain fresh. The Excitespecial edition model adds features such as an integrated Bluetoothsystem and an MP3-compatible stereo with AUX-IN facility. It's not agame changer but it'll certainly prove popular.

We think the car market evolves gradually but since thisgeneration Vauxhall Corsa was launched in 2006, there's been aseismic shift in priorities. Back then, what sold a car washandling, safety, equipment and build quality, all features wherethe little Vauxhall scored well. Since then the emphasis has changeddrastically, and in 2011 it's all about value, fuel economy andemissions. Vauxhall has kept abreast of these revised priorities andthe Corsa remains Britain's best-selling small car.

Vauxhall clearly thinks it's now time to look beyond thefundamental arithmetic of running costs and start putting theenjoyment back into car purchasing. The Excite special edition mightjust be a tentative toe in the water that points towards bettertimes.The Excite doesn't do anything to change the Corsa'sfundamental attributes. It's long been a safe and steady handler,instead drawing on its other attributes to impress customers. In2010, the Corsa was treated to a raft of chassis upgrades. Revisedfront suspension means less roll when entering corners and bettersuppression of bumps. The steering was fettled and the ESP stabilitycontrol re-tuned to make it smarter and less intrusive -- althoughyou'll pay extra for this.

There's a decent array of engine choice. On the petrol menu arethe 1.0-litre, 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre units which now produce64bhp, 84bhp and 99bhp respectively. The smaller petrol units canfeel a little overwhelmed by the Corsa's bulk but no modern super-mini can get by without decent diesel engines and the Excite modelfortunately has one available.

The 1.3-litre CDTi is the entry-level engine in the line up andmanages a modest 74bhp but it's an excellent unit for city driving.

Corsa Excite customers get the choice of three and five-doorversions offering plenty of space up front and less in the back, intypical supermini style. All Corsa models feature a relativelyelevated driving position, but a wheel that's adjustable for reachand rake helps all but the very tallest drivers get comfortable.

Quality remains strong and a refreshing of some cabin materialsonly underscores that impression. A 285-litre boot is adequate forthe weekly shop or weekend away, although it can extend to 1100litres by folding rear seats.

The styling still looks good, with the three-door model's steeplycanted C-pillars looking decidedly rakish. Excite models also get 16-in alloy wheels which offer a decent compromise between cossetingride and aesthetics.

The Excite is largely based on the budget S edition but adds afew extras such as those 16-in alloy wheels, Bluetooth mobile phoneconnectivity and a stereo that plays MP3s and features AUX-IN sothat you can synch an MP3 player through it. There are also steeringwheel mounted stereo controls, air conditioning and heated doormirrors. Rather disappointingly for this day and age, ESP stabilitycontrol is a Pounds 465 option right across the Corsa range. Itwould have been a decent inclusion on the Excite.

With prices from Pounds 12,325, the Corsa Excite looks decentvalue for money, but this will only buy the rather weedy 1.0-litrepetrol engine. The far preferable 1.2-litre Excite costs a merePounds 350 more, slashing 0-60mph from a yawn-inducing 17 seconds toa brisker 12.7 seconds.

The 1.0-litre engine, for all its deathly acceleration, does haveits advantages, dipping under 120g/km of carbon dioxide emissions.The 1.2-litre can also achieve this, but only if fitted with theoptional Easytronic automatic gearbox. Thus equipped, the 1.2 gets55.4mpg unleaded, which makes paying extra for the diesel model adebatable economy.

Low prices, strong economy and low insurance costs make the Corsaan attractive proposition for supermini buyers on a tight budget butVauxhall's aggressive pricing and use of promotional special editionmodels such as this Excite means that residual values are a littlebit below the best in the class.

Due to its popularity, it's a car that's easy to pigeonhole as asort of Tesco among cars. Drive one and you'll realise this sort ofstereotyping does it a grave disservice.

The Excite takes the basic formula and just adds a few worthwhileextras such as the 16-in alloys, Bluetooth integration and moremodern stereo system. If you're shopping towards the entry-level endof the Corsa range, this special edition elbows its way to the fore.

With solid build quality, sharpened driving manners, a fresherface and some of the most economical engines on offer anywhere, theCorsa more than stacks up. Factor in prices which usually undercutless sturdy opposition and it's a small car that needs no excuses.The Excite model won't grab any headlines, but it's bound to do verygood business for Vauxhall.