Best of all, it's extremely economical with a choice of 1.2 litre petrol engine or the even more frugal 1.3 litre diesel.

However, there is another Corsa out there which will put a different type of smile on your face. It is the Corsa OPC, a true performance hot-hatch that will knock you back in your seat.

An OPC? Don't let the badge throw you. For the asking price of 28,995 you would expect to see a GTi, SRi, ST, or even 'S' badge splashed across the boot.

But no, Opel has decided to create its own importance and wants the OPC . . . Opel Performance Car . . . to be the badge of honour.

It is Opel banner-waving and the OPC badge now also appears on the Meriva, Astra, Zafira and Vectra models . But it is the Corsa version which will get the blood racing in young, and not so young veins.

There is a waiting list to get behind the wheel of this model.

It is a car with a high revving 1.6-litre 16-valve turbo-charged engine that puts out 190 bhp at 5850 rpm, which is better than a 1.6 MINI Cooper S, a 1.8 litre VW Polo GTi or a 2-litre Ford Fiesta ST, and it can develop 230 NM of torque.

The maximum speed is 225 km/h and the 0 - 100 km sprint is good but not best in class at 7.2 seconds.

The engine works up a nice gurgle as it picks up speed through the six-speed gearbox and the torque through the range is impressive. The performance could easily lead to penalty points because of the quick response when nudging the accelerator pedal.

Economy will not be a big issue for owners of OPC models but the Corsa does reasonably well if driven with restraint. In city traffic expect about 10L/km (24 mpg) and overall up to 7.9L/km (35 mpg).

The driver and front seat passenger get Recardo sports seats, setting the tone for inside fittings which are suitably sports car material.

The steering wheel has a flat end, there are sports pedals, a trendy centre console and a well laid-out dash for driver information. Rolling the front seats forward and back to let passengers into the rear is almost always a nuisance in three-door models but here it is a chore. For a super-mini there is reasonable leg room in the rear.

Up front the headroom is excellent.

Handling is good thanks to the lowered and upgraded OPC sports suspension but it's not unduly harsh unless the terrain is really rough.

The wide tyres do give some road noise feedback. The standard tyres are on 17" alloy wheels but the test car had 18" Vspoke alloys which add 822 to the price. Metallic paint costs an extra 550.

Standard safety equipment includes front airbags, side impact airbags, full curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Stability Control, traction control and all round disc brakes.

Air conditioning is standard, an MP3 entertainment compatability system , cruise control, trip computer and alarm system. An integrated mobile phone system with bluetooth costs 550 extra. Top specification is costly these days.

Those who can justify the expense, considering the limited number of occasions the OPC can be used to full potential, will enjoy the driving experience and residual values should be good as more reasonable secondhand prices will tempt young drivers to get behind the wheel.

And the good news is that Opel is to reintroduce the Calibra, first launched in 1990. It was then the world's most aerodynmaic production coupe.

The new version is equally wind-cheating as it is based on the GTC concept vehicle which will be the basis for the next generation Vectra. Indications are that the Calibra will be the sportiest-looking family coupe on the streets when it arrives. The replacement for the Vectra is due next summer.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Opel Corsa OPC Engine 1.6 L Turbo Petrol 190 BHP
Length 3999 mm
Width 1713 mm
Height 1488 mm
Wheelbase 2511 mm
Acceleration 0-100 KM - 7.2 Secs Top speed 225 km/h
Transmission Six-speed Manual
Economy 7.9 L/100 KM (38.5 MPG)
Price 28,995
C0 2emissions 190g/km