Test drive (New) Opel Corsa
Test Drive

Test drive (New) Opel Corsa

What's new in the new Corsa? Everything except engines. From the bottom up: there's a new platform (which it mostly shares with the Grande Punto), a new chassis (the rear axle is structurally based on the Astra and allows for three levels of lateral stiffness) and a new steering gear. this already gives a very good, dynamic and slightly sporty response.

Of course, the "dress" is also new. The bodies are two-, three- and five-door, the same length, but differ in the shape of the rear; with three doors, it has a sportier look (inspired by the Astra GTC), and with five, it's more family-friendly. The difference between them is not only in sheet metal and glass, but also in the rear lights. Both bodies stylistically combine similar basic silhouette features that connect with each other to create the image of a compact small car, and the three-door is even more pronounced. Opel is betting big on the look of the Corsa, which is by far one of the most attractive in its class right now.

But even the new Corsa isn't so small anymore; it has grown by 180 millimeters, of which 20 millimeters between the axles and 120 millimeters in front of the front axle. Only a millimeter is now shorter than four meters, which (compared to the previous generation) has also acquired a new interior space. Even more than the internal dimensions, the inside is impressive in shape, materials and colors. Now the Corsa is no longer as dull gray and tough as we are used to in Opel. Colors also break monotony; In addition to the soft gray, the dashboard also features blue and red, which continue the chosen combination of seat and door surfaces. With the exception of the steering wheel, which can be adjusted in both directions, the interior also looks young and lively, yet neat and tidy in German. The Corsa has probably never been operated as young as it is now.

Opel usually goes by the names of equipment packages: Essentia, Enjoy, Sport and Cosmo. According to Opel, the standard equipment in them is similar to the previous Corsa (the exact content of the equipment in individual packages is not yet known), but there are several more options when choosing additional equipment. For example, navigation, a heated steering wheel, adaptive headlights (AFL, Adaptive Forward Lightning) and the Flex-Fix trunk accessory are now also available. Its feature and advantage is that it only needs to be pulled from the back (so there are always unwanted attachments and storage problems), but it can accommodate two wheels or other luggage of similar dimensions and weight. We first saw Flex-Fix on a Trixx prototype, but this is the first such system in a passenger car and, at first glance, is also very useful.

And a few words about engines. Three petrol and two turbodiesel engines will initially be available, and will be joined next year by a 1-liter CDTI with a maximum output of 7 kW. This engine in the Corsa is pleasant and friendly to drive, never uncomfortably aggressive and brutal, but still a little sporty. This will satisfy a wide range of drivers. Both weaker turbo diesels are friendly as well, and the petrol engines (the smallest was not suggested for testing in the first test) force the driver to drive at higher revs with relatively low torque, since their flexibility is otherwise rather low. Even with the most powerful 92-liter so far. However, the engines, taking into account the technical data, are modest in terms of consumption, only the Corsa 1 stands out, equipped with a (four-speed) automatic transmission. Gearboxes are five-speed manual as standard, only two of the most powerful turbodiesels have six gears. In addition to the 4 petrol engine, a robotic Easytronic will be available.

Corso recently passed Euro NCAP crash testing where it won all five possible stars and its (at an additional cost) latest generation ESP stabilization (same as ABS), which means it contains EUC (Enhanced Understeer Control) subsystems , HSA (start assist) and DDS (tire pressure drop detection). A useful addition is the flashing of the brake lights when the driver brakes so hard that they apply the (standard) ABS brake, which also includes Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Forward Braking Stability (SLS). Tracked headlights respond to steering angle and vehicle speed, and most headlights steer 15 (inward) or eight (outside) degrees. Twisting also works when reversing.

Therefore, it is not difficult to sum up: both from the point of view of design and from the point of view of technology, the new Corsa is an interesting car and such quite worthy competition among analogues, as well as the declared prices seem attractive (because we do not know the list of equipment). We will also soon see if this is enough to win the top class. Do you know that the last word is always with the customer?

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