New Opel Corsa is smarter and sharper than ever, writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it?This is the new fifth generation Corsa and while technically not a brand new car it is far more than just a facelift; there is a new chassis and suspension, new engines plus its classier inside and out .
Who is it aimed at? Space, Stylish looks and cheap running costs are the main criteria for the success of a small car and the Opel Corsa, has always been a popular choice with sales of 12.4 million since its launch in 1982.
Styling?Available in two body styles, a sporty three-door or more practical five-door the Corsa scores well for exterior styling and instantly you’ll spot similarities to the front end of the ADAM model . It may be almost identical in length to the previous model but all of the car’s body panels are new
Under the Bonnet?There is a good choice of engines and are decent all-rounders but the best performance is from the 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo petrol unit with 115bhp that goes from 0-100km/h in 10.3 seconds and comes with a new six-speed manual gearbox. Available only in the top “Limited Edition” trim level it is priced at an expensive €19,395. Other options include the petrol range starts with the 1.2 70bhp rising to a 1.4-litre with 90bhp or the 1.3-litre with 75bhp that starts at €16,395. Our test car was powered by the 1.4-litre with a five speed manual gear box. A new also six-speed automatic ‘Easytronic’ is available with this engine.
What about inside? The interior has been revamped in keeping with the rest of the Opel family and is now plusher and better equipped than the outgoing model and there is no sign of any harsh plastics. There are lots of adjustment to get you comfy behind the wheel and a great view out. The controls are easy to read and everything is simple to use and at hand when you need it. With the dimension remain virtually unchanged the Corsa’s impressive interior space and large boot remains.
On the Road?On the road the Corsa is still not as much fun to drive as the Ford Fiesta the new suspension now strikes a good balance between comfort and performance . Improvements to the insulation keep wind and road noise to a minimum and it is far more refined then before. The new speed-sensitive power steering set-up means the Corsa it simple to park and manoeuvre but it is a little light at speed.
And Safety?. The Corsa get six airbags, stability control, a Tyre pressure monitoring system and hill-start assist. It was also awarded four out of five in its Euro NCAP crash test.
Options? With a starting price of just €14,895 the Corsa is available in four trims; entry-level S, Excite, SE and sporty Limited Edition. Entry models fare well with standard equipment including ESP stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, remote central locking and electric front windows. Trade up to the new Excite models and you gain 16ins alloys, front fog lights, Bluetooth, steering wheel mounted audio controls, cruise control and LED daytime running lights.
Economy? Our test car returns 5.2 litres per 100 on a mix of urban and country drivign. CO2 Emissions of 120 g/km means it is in Tax Band A4 so cost €200 per year to tax.
Verdict? At first, it looks like a mere revamp but the New Corsa is much more than that. Available in both petrol and diesel guises, manual or automatic, with three doors or five the Corsa is certainly one to consider for competitive pricing, space and good range of model choices
Why you’ll buy one? Model Range; Classy Interior; Well priced
Why you won’t? Steering, Not the most fun to drive
Rivals
Skoda Fabia – priced from €13,895
Hyundai i20– priced from €15,995
Watch our video review below (Video Filming by Kyran O’Brien)
Opel Corsa Excite 5 Door 1.4i (90PS) EcoFLEX
Engine: 1398cc, 90bhp (66kW) @ 6000rpm 130Nm @ 4000rpm
Max speed: 162 km/h
0-100 kph: 13.2 seconds
Emissions (Motor Tax) : 120g/km (€200)
Model price: €16,495
No of Doors: 5 doors
Euro NCAP : 4 stars
Fuel type: Petrol
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 5.2/100km (54.3 mpg)
Boot Capacity Seats up(down): 285 litres (1100
Length: 2510mm
Width: 1736mm
Height: 1485mm
Wheelbase: 2510 mm
For more information check out Opel.ie or the Opel Ireland Facebook
Geraldine Herbert
28th January, 2015
