If you think the new Vauxhall Corsa looks a little familiar that’s because it looks a lot like the old one.

It’s not because designers at the company have run out of ideas. No, you and I, owners of last generation models, have to take the credit – or the blame, depending on your viewpoint – for this apparent lack of imagination

The truth is, however, that quite a lot has changed on the new model. It’s only when you park the two versions side by side that it becomes obvious that, apart from the glass area and door pillars, pretty much everything is different.

The lights are new and there’s a lower nose and grille, giving the new Corsa a face that bears more than just a passing resemblance to the Adam. Two sharp creases on the doors add some dynamic fluidity to the profile while the rear light clusters are broader, extending across the boot lid, and mirror the styling of the front set.

I spent a little time getting to know the Red edition at a media drive day and first impressions were largely positive, particularly in direct comparison to the Corsa Black that I call my own. The Red’s appearance is enhanced with 17in diamond cut alloy wheels, a large rear spoiler, sports bodykit and a black roof. It’s a tasteful hint at the sporting potential of the warm hatch.

Under the bonnet is a more powerful version of Vauxhall’s 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine which produces 148bhp and 162lbft or torque.

While the exterior changes are easy to miss the same is not true inside the car. It’s clear that Vauxhall have spent a great deal of time and effort improving the experience for passengers.

The multimedia touchscreen first seen in the Adam now adorns the stylish dashboard and the company’s Onstar interface controls all the functions except climate. The plastics in the previous model were brittle and cheap. For the most part there has been a significant step up in quality for the new model with more tactile, pleasant materials in evidence.

And, of course, being a special edition there are cross-stitched sports seats, black gloss fascia and splashes of red highlights to add a little extra pizazz.

The seats are comfortable, although not as snug as the ones in my Black edition, but finding a decent driving position is straightforward thanks to the generous amount of reach and rake adjustment in the steering column.

Visibility is good, out the front, sides and rear at least, but the three-door’s thick C-pillars do create a bit of a blind spot. This is a small car, however, and it shouldn’t prove to be much of an issue for the majority of drivers. For the rest, well, there’s always parking sensors.

One thing I, nor front seat passengers, ever complained about in the last gen Corsa was the amount of room on offer and that trend continues in the new model and the clever, recessed dash and light-coloured roof lining adds to the feeling of space.

Passengers in the rear aren’t so well catered for. Access is easy enough – the front seats fold and slide forward – but head and legroom is limited once everything is back in its place.

On the move there are more improvements, most notably the weightier steering which, although it lacks a little consistency mid-corner, inspires more confidence on turn-in. There’s plenty of grip, too, though the Red edition doesn’t corner as flat as you might expect on its sports suspension.

The ride is firm, unsurprisingly, and for the most part deals well with larger imperfections but the car can feel skittish over broken roads.

The engine doesn’t properly pick up until about the 2,000rpm mark but it’s peppy enough to put smiles on the faces of all but the most demanding of drivers. It makes a delightfully enthusiastic sound as well.

Gear selection feels much improved over the previous model, which could be a little resistant to change and often required some force to select the next cog.

Owning a last gen Corsa Black hasn’t provided as much pleasure as I’d have liked. I didn’t have long in the new Red but the brief time I did spend behind the wheel left the impression of a vastly improved machine.There’s more power, there’s more weight to the steering, the interior is better quality and refinement has been enhanced.

It turns out that Black wasn’t a safe bet, but I’d be happy to go all in on Red.

Vauxhall Corsa Red Edition

Price: £17,125

Engine: 1.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 148bhp @ 5,000rpm

Max torque: 162lbft

Max speed: 129mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 8.9sec

Urban: 38.3mpg

Extra urban: 58.9mpg

Combined: 49.6mpg

Emissions (CO2): 132g/km

For more information visit www.vauxhall.co.uk