Test Drive: Opel Corsa OPC - the cure for winter boredom
Before us is a wonderful remedy for the winter mood. The Opel Corsa OPC is an automotive anti-depressant at its best, and anyone who turns off the ESP in their head can feel the heat of the summer heat in this car in the middle of winter. And indeed, by controlling this little "hot pepper", a person finds himself in his film, in a world that is many times faster than usual. When you get into this car, the first thought is: “Well, this is a toy!” "
So small, short, wide, bright blue, this car is like a toy. Yes, but which ones? At the same time cute, sweet and childish, and on the other hand - cruel, rude, vicious and extremely ruthless. Despite the fact that this is an Opel, this car does not go unnoticed. Moreover, it seemed to have landed on our way from another planet. At nearly every traffic light, we looked in the rearview mirror at faces clinging to the windshield and lip-read "OPC."
Like every other model in the OPC family, the Corsa is adapted to an aesthetic that bears an irresistible reminder of the German tuning scene. see The car is equipped with a bunch of aesthetic accessories and this is what is required. The car has been extensively redesigned compared to the high-volume version of the Corsa. The front end is dominated by a large spoiler with fog lights housed in chrome housings at the very corners. Side sills and 18-inch wheels define the side view, but at the same time, the body is noticeably lowered by 15 mm. At the rear, visibility is attracted by the centrally located chrome-plated triangular tailpipe opening, which is cleverly integrated into the air diffuser, which serves only a visual function. We can safely say that the Opel Corsa OPC looks like a pearl among pearls in comparison with a regular Corsa. The exterior is very strong, and its exterior does not try to hide any of its 192 "horses".
Inside, we find fewer changes compared to the "regular" Corsa. The most impressive detail is the sports seats with the image of the famous Recar, on which the Serbian rally champion Vladan Petrovic felt like a fish in water: “The seats hold the body very well when cornering and convey a lot of information from the ground. The sports steering wheel draws special attention, the hands are perfectly "glued" to it, the lower part is nice and flat, but I would not mind the large protrusions, which are a little confusing and spoil a quite good impression. In general, the ergonomics of the driver's seat are at a high level. I have to admit that the gear lever needs to be more convincing. Because a nearly 200 horsepower car needs to have a more convincing and stiff gear lever with shorter strokes. Maybe the solution would be to simply install a shorter handle, which I can mark as a proposal for the next generation, because in this case it looks like it was taken from a regular model. " The pedals, which have rubber inserts in the OPC version, have also been changed, and perhaps the biggest optical change in the cockpit is the blue vents.
There is not much room for passengers in the rear seats. This is also facilitated by massive front seats with a rigid rear section that is not too comfortable for the knees of the rear passengers. The trunk of the Corsa OPC holds 285 liters, while the fully folding rear seat back gives a solid 700 liters. Instead of a spare wheel, the Corsa OPC has a tire repair kit with an electric compressor.
A real sports heart breathes under the hood. The small 1,6-litre turbocharged petrol engine shows its best condition. The block is made of cast iron, but weighs only 27 kilograms. The BorgWarner turbocharger is integrated with the exhaust system components and is made of aluminum. From 1980 to 5800 rpm, the unit develops a torque of 230 Nm. But with the overboost function, the pressure in the turbocharger can be briefly increased to 1,6 bar and the torque to 266 Nm. The maximum power of the unit is 192 horsepower, and it develops an unusually high 5850 rpm. “The engine is very powerful and behaves like it's not a turbo. When we want to get the most out of the engine, we have to crank it up at the high rpm we have seen in most modern turbocharged gasoline engines. When the engine exceeds the 4000 rpm limit, it sounds as if auxiliary combustion has been activated in the exhaust. Great sound. Acceleration is convincing, and the only challenge is being fast enough on a gear lever that is too long to contain the spike in power as soon as possible and get the best acceleration possible. However, you have to be careful because on wet asphalt the front wheels very quickly show and prove that traction has its limits, which can lead to a sudden widening of the cornering path. Petrovich noted.
Although consumption is not the primary information for buyers of this model, it should be noted that in terms of operation it is very different. During normal operation, consumption ranges from a modest 8 to 9 liters per 100 kilometers. In the hands of the champion Vladan Petrovich, the computer showed as much as 15 liters per 100 kilometers.
“When it comes to driving style, the Corsa OPC inspires confidence. But, in case of the inexperienced, it should be pointed out that Corsa should be handled with care, with the assumption that the ESP electronic stability system should not be ruled out. Handling is always a special topic, even in the case of the Corsa. The car responds perfectly to all requests, but when you get on a winding path, for example, on the trail to Avala, its nervous line appears. I think you should be especially careful, because 192 hp. - this is not a joke, but the differential lock is only electronic. This means turning the wheels into space every time you uncontrollably press the accelerator pedal, which requires a quick reaction and high concentration. Although the wheels are 18 inches in diameter, they have a hard time keeping up with the “attack” of torque. But as an urban driver, the Corsa OPC will shine and secure pole position at every traffic light with great driving pleasure. All praise to the brakes, but I don't think Hillholder has a place in this car." - opens us Petrovich. In terms of comfort, the low profile tires make driving very uncomfortable, especially in the rear seats. The driver and passengers feel every unevenness of the asphalt and once again remind the passengers what kind of car it is. The rear shock absorbers also contribute to this, as they are rigid and securely hold the car on the pavement. But someone who buys a car with such characteristics does not expect much comfort.
The Opel Corsa OPC is truly the perfect car to get you from point A to point B in the shortest possible time and with maximum pleasure. In fact, the Corsa OPC's biggest draw is its owner's need to groom and lick it - he's convinced he's better because he gives his pet what it deserves. This may sound crazy to some, but it's probably the result of antidepressants, and in large quantities. And finally, the price. 24.600 euros with customs and taxes may seem too much to some, but all those who have a few drops of gasoline flowing in their veins and who see driving as an adventure know what this real little “hot pepper” can give them. And let's not forget one more thing: women love strength and uncompromisingness, and this Opel has both.
Video test drive Opel Corsa OPC
