Forza Motorsport 7: My first ride

Yes, baby, I'm back in Forza Motorsport for their seventh and ultimate installment to date and while some of you got their sweet first ride of the game, my first FM7 ride is not what you call exciting, a tad above average if you may. So, in the spirit of first impression, I will share you which car I began with; it's the Corsa E VXR.



Need a refresher? The Opel/Vauxhall Corsa E OPC/VXR was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and it is known to be the ultra-powerful small hot-hatch in the OPC/VXR lineup that is less expensive than its competitors with its £17,995 on-the-road pricing.

Under the hood, this hot Corsa is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that produces 205PS of power output, 245Nm of torque, and mated exclusively with a second-generation six-speed transmission with a short, fluid gear change. It is capable of going 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 143mph - quicker than the outgoing car it replaces.

For this model, they've enlisted damper-supplier, Koni, to develop the Frequency Selective Damping which  allows damping forces to adapt to the car's movements, balancing body control and ride quality depending on the speed.

Customers can opt in for the optional Performance Package which comes with a Drexler limited-slip differential, larger 330mm-diameter Brembo front brake discs, 18-inch alloy wheels with super sticky Michelin Pilot Supersport tyres and enhanced FSD damper settings.



Once a tater tot that can humiliate a supercar in the parking lot, the Corsa VXR is a small wonder that can pull different tricks from its sleeves but when I put it on the track, it's hard to get around through the corners even though this VXR comes with a Performance Package that unleashes its full potential of the smallest VXR hatch ever made. It maybe slower on the straights, it may be harsher on the bends, but when it comes to enjoying your first race, the Corsa VXR always leave first-timers a first impression they will never forget since they chose on from the very beginning.



After having my first impression with the Corsa VXR, I'd decided to see how it fares on a real track where everything comes full circle with this pocket rocket. How about putting it on the Indy Circuit layout of Brands Hatch? That will make it the perfect breeding ground for this small VXR hatch. So, who wants to see it go round Brands Hatch?



Well, that handling left me with a nasty bruise in my arms, but this is a great start for me because now that I'm back in driving real cars in real tracks, Forza Motorsport 7 has a lot of opportunities waiting for me and this is just the beginning.

Forza Horizon 3: The new Corsa VXR

If you are enjoying the all-new Vauxhall Corsa VXR, which is part of the Forza Horizon 3 Playseat Car Pack, you are noticing that why they made an ultra-powerful hot hatch in the first place that will beat supercars in the race to the nearest parking lot and because of its compact sizing, squeezing through the turns that supercars are having a hard time to deal with is not too shabby and the VXR always saves the day.



So, the Vauxhall Corsa VXR, what is it then? This ultra-powerful hot-hatch sets a new standard for small and fast hatchbacks and because it's powered by a 1.6L turbocharged engine producing 205PS of power and 245Nm of torque while mated to a manual gearbox, it does 0-60mph in six and a half seconds and a top speed of 143mph, faster than the previous model it replaces. Aside from this performance, the Corsa VXR comes with Frequency Selective Damping, developed by Koni, to maintain body control during high speeds and ride quality during low speeds while delivering an even more responsive steering. With the Performance Package, it comes with a Drexler LSD, larger-diameter Brembo front brake discs, 18-inch alloys, and a recalibrated FSD damper settings.



Despite being small in size, its dynamics should not be underestimated and for the case of the Corsa VXR, you'll never know what sort of tricks will this hatchback pull off and because being a hot hatch, you can have the same kind of thrill that you experienced from a supercar while delivering accessible dynamics fit for all kinds of drivers. If you were either experienced or inexperienced, driving a hot hatch like this one is like a good starting point to understand the twists and turns the Land Down Under has to offer and for a car with such accessible dynamics, you don't have to prove a thing to show how much of a driver you really are.

Because of such dynamics that made me impressed by the VXR, let's see how much of a hot hatch the Corsa VXR is and to do that, let's drive this car somewhere to the Outback to challenge against those tater tots and tiaras in waiting but first...







Ladies and gentlemen, Ako Saotome...isn't here today. That's just a design I made just for this and for a tater tot of this size, that just suits it rather well in a game where the Corsa VXR takes on the likes of Clios, Fiestas, and 500s. Well, the one with the 500 Abarth is what bugged me the most because when the Corsa VXR takes on the most hardcore 500 of all, the Abarth 695, things get even more dirtier than dumpster diving in the rain, but seeing this as an opportunity to demonstrate the Corsa VXR's dynamics, time to get the ball running and see what happens.





That was a close call but it's proof that the Corsa VXR is one of the most enjoyable hot hatch to drive to date and with such dynamics courtesy of the Performance Package provided and this car as well as some added charms I done to this little tyke, I think I may have found my favorite hot hatch to drive over and over again...or is it? I'm not sure but let's keep driving the VXR before I passed out from boredom as long as this special something I made for this keeps me company. Until then, the journey continues...

Mini JCW (F56) vs. Audi RS3 Sportback (8V) vs. Opel/Vauxhall Corsa E OPC/VXR

Back when the new generation Mini was launched, the latest model is no longer a Mini in terms of size. It's more of a Wumbo if you ask them. Despite its go-kart handling promise that Mini delivers for the new model, it doesn't cut the mustard when it gets through tight spaces and it doesn't feel like what the old Mini does in its heydays.

2015 Mini John Cooper Works

So, what do we have here? I'm sensing jealousy from anyone who haven't tried this one out yet. Yes, this is the high-performance version of the new Mini, it's called the John Cooper Works, and for this new model, Mini claims that this is their most powerful car in the family tree, although I'm not particularly sure that this is their best bet in the world of hot hatches.

It's powered by a turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine generating 231PS of power and 320Nm of torque. When mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, 0-100kph takes about 6.1 seconds and a top speed of around 246kph. That sounds like a quick car for a quick getaway from your nana's house but because all good hot hatches need to be good at handling, how was it? Is it better than the Cooper S any person had one?

Thanks to its track-honed suspension setup as well as Brembo brakes and special alloy wheels made specifically for this model, the new model isn't half bad to thrash around in the corners. Since this car is all about being a beginner's luck, any driver can drive one before getting advance through luxury sports cars and high-end exotics. Perhaps this is more of a crash course for those who are new to the track day scene, eh? What about taking on the city roads? Is it worth it? Well, not quite because since this is still a wumbofied Mini, your best chance is not to drive it on the tights because you'll be getting a hard time surviving on small spaces much as the normal new Mini does.

Yes, it might still be as big as the normal Mini, but to be honest, the new JCW mixes the things that are right with the things that are wrong so even though this is worth of a challenge, this is still a well accessible track day car you can use it anytime just as long as it doesn't get to situations that doesn't cut the mustard.

2016 Audi RS3 Sportback

If you're opening to suggestions that the new Mini JCW is lacking power, perhaps you should better off with this; the all-new Audi RS3 Sportback.

Think of the new RS3 Sportback as a posh version of its cousin, the VW Golf R, but unlike the Golf R, this new RS3 comes with a 2.5L 5-cylinder turbocharged engine developing 367PS of power and 465Nm of torques. It's the most powerful hot hatch ever created by the Volkswagen Group, and even though this is more than the pre-facelifted A45 AMG, the currently-facelifted A45 AMG backlashed it with more power, which is kinda sad.

Anyway, because this is Audi's most powerful hatchback in the range, it's 0-100kph time is 4.3 seconds while the top speed electronically limited to 250kph or you can go for an optional extra where the limit can be raised to 280kph, which is definitely a fast hatch full-stop.

Of course, good hot hatchbacks don't rely on straight-line performance, and how does the RS3 fare well as a track-day car? Sadly, it's very challenging. Even though it has a four-wheel drive powertrain, driving the new RS3 is like trying to survive a bull riding competition for years and when it sees a corner, best to prepare some painkillers over this one because it's too much grip and understeering can be a pain in the neck. If this car understeers, it's like you've got choked by an angry German who got his schnitzel messed up.

So, would you recommend it? Well, in terms of speed, the new RS3 is a clear bet but in terms of track day use, perhaps this new model warns the drivers that it will going to send them to the chokey. Man, someone's going to get choked by this hot hatch when it understeers.

2016 Opel Corsa OPC

2016 Vauxhall Corsa VXR

If it's affordability you're after, how about this? The new Opel Corsa OPC (Vauxhall Corsa VXR). Now, according to the pricelist, the new Mini JCW costs around 29,900 Euros while the new RS3 starts at 52,700 Euros. The newest version of the Corsa OPC/VXR starts at a very accessible 24,650 Euros (18,375 Pounds) and what you have here is a pocket rocket with very accessible handling that makes it popular among car enthusiasts.

Of course, its 2.0L turbo engine produces the least amount of power when compared to the new JCW and the new RS3, but unlike the other two, it's compact and nimble enough to cut through corners like a game of fruit ninja. Juicy.

It feels generous, it feels accessible, and when getting through the tightest of situations, it's not half bad at all. This is definitely the ideal hot hatch you can have if you're in a mood for some track-day fun.

So, what's your pick? Well, when you compare these hot hatches, chances are very random because a few might go for the new JCW, some might go for the new RS3, while most might go for the hot Corsa. Above all, the newest Corsa OPC/VXR is their best chance because even though it's not as powerful as the others, it's a very accessible hot hatch that you can use it all the time as long as they're not involved in any shenanigans on the city,

Vauxhall Maloo VXR

2012 Vauxhall Maloo VXR

Students of Top Gear will remember this as the HSV Maloo R8 but this one's a little bit different from the one Top Gear fans saw because this one now is sold in Britain as a Vauxhall.

The Maloo naming is Aborigine for thunder but HSV's former managing director, John Crennan, said they coined the naming from a book of Aborigine places. Strictly speaking because it was made in the country that hadn't signed up to the Kyoto treaty, this isn't a pickup truck, it's a ute. It was the world's fastest ute ever made, with a top speed of 168mph. It lapped an impressive 1:27.1 round the Top Gear Test Track, on par with the Aston Martin DB9.

What's a ute? With thanks to Richard Hammond from Top Gear, it started out in the 1930's when a farmer's wife wrote to Ford Australia complaining that there was no car that can take her to the church on Sunday and the pigs to the market on the Monday. The answer was the ute and the Aussies have worshiped those ever since.

For the first time, the HSV Maloo R8 has arrived in the United Kingdom as a Vauxhall Maloo VXR and it's essentially based on the E Series 3 version of the Maloo R8. You now have a two-seater ute that features a unique shockwave grille on the front, daytime running lamps, quad exhaust outlets, remote locking hard tonneau with alarm protection, cargo bay liner and lamp, rear park assist, E3 sports alloys, and the Enhanced Driver Interface that was last seen on the latest version of Top Gear's favorite muscle cars, the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS.

Under the hood lies a 6.2 litre LS3 Generation 4 Alloy V8, the engine that once powered the Chevrolet Corvette. It produces 425bhp of power and 405lb-ft of torque. It would go 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds and top speed limited to 155mph. Combined fuel economy is 21mpg and CO2 emissions is 320g/km. It is mated with a 6-speed manual transmission.

You might think that this is just a piece of farm machine with a big engine on it, drag racing is all it can do. Not so because the Maloo loves corners thanks to its incredible traction, sportscar poise, a limited slip differential, and tuned suspension. However, the Maloo can be carried away and adding weight on the back doesn't work that well either.

My Comment:
This is the first time the Maloo has finally landed on the United Kingdom where it was sold now as a Vauxhall. Since it's encounter at Top Gear, we were very sure that the Maloo is the kind of Aussie muscle that definitely give us a laugh and it's here in the UK and it's available at selected Vauxhall dealerships rather than specialist importers. We like the Performance, Ride, Handling, and the safety features (perhaps this was governed by an electronic nanny). What I really don't like was the fuel economy but it doesn't matter. The Maloo is one heck of a party crasher and this Aussie muscle really made the rain transformed. Imagine that..."I am lightning, the rain transformed"

Welcome Back - 2010 Vauxhall Insignia VXR

The Stig gets down and dirty with
this turbo-nutter from Vauxhall!

Vauxhall's turbo-nutter executive saloon car, the Insignia VXR, returned in Forza Motorsport 4 with no major changes whatsoever in terms of tuning. For me, this is one of my favorite Vauxhall models ever featured in this game and the Vauxhall Insignia VXR holds a place in Top Gear history. In one episode of Top Gear, James May test drives the Vauxhall Insignia VXR, and later accompanied by Margaret Calvert, the designer of British road signs. Here on Forza Motorsport 4, it competes against the likes of the Volvo S60 R-Design and the Subaru Legacy B4 (BM9) respectively but can it do any better? Still, it was a good car for keeps and this turbo-nutter hasn't changed at all.

Vauxhall Insignia VXR (Opel Insignia OPC) - Forza 3 Owner's View

We'll let Ron De Los Reyes try the Insignia...

Tales of the Insignia Project

FINAL IMPRESSIONS: The Insignia Project... If my memory serves me correctly, GM Europe started the Insignia Project when the Insignia was launched since 2008 in Europe and in January 2009 in the Great Britain as the Vauxhall Insignia. It was the first to attain the new logo for both Opel and Vauxhall. Later on, a high-performance version of the Insignia known as the Insignia OPC (Insignia VXR in Britain) appeared and it comes with a Flexride suspension, adaptive 4x4, and a turbocharged V6 engine. These qualities truly called the Insignia OPC/VXR a monstrous European machine that has the quality of high-performance luxury sports cars such as the BMW M5.

The Insignia Project hasn't stopped there. Forza Motorsport 3 added the Vauxhall Insignia VXR to the Road & Track Car Pack since April 2010 and it given Forza players the opportunity to try out the monstrosity of the Insignia VXR's turbocharged V6 engine and the Flexride suspension. Because of my trend to try out the latest and the hottest cars, I still haven't quite given up playing this game and the Vauxhall Insignia VXR is one the finest British sports saloon ever made. Welcome to my office...

Insignia VXR Touring Car!

2011 Vauxhall Insignia VXR Touring Car

With the Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Avensis, and other cars participating the British Touring Car Championship, another Euro-British car steps in and this Vauxhall Insignia VXR Touring Car is battle-ready!

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/vauxhall-insignia-to-go-racing-in-british-touring-car-championsh/

This Vauxhall Insignia VXR (the Britannia equivalent of the Opel Insignia OPC and soon the Buick Regal GS) is ready to tackle the BTCC and oh man, looks like Forza 3 players got a noticing to replicate this using their own Vauxhall Insignia VXR! (-_-;)