Opel Corsa 2015, presentation and road test in Madrid

The Opel Corsa has been, is, and will probably remain for a long time one of the most recognisable icons on the roads of our country.

We have already had the opportunity to test for you the new generation of the Corsa, called Corsa E, which comes loaded with novelties and innovations.

The first generation was launched in 1982, when the official mascot in Spain was a certain “Naranjito”, and the football World Cup was held in this country.
This first generation was a huge success, selling 3 million units worldwide.

Opel had launched what would become one of its most successful models throughout its history. In total, we are talking about the Corsa having sold around 12 million units in its 34 years of history, one of the highest figures in the automotive world.

Exterior design

The Corsa E has evolved in every respect, including its exterior design. At first glance we can see that the Corsa remains fully recognisable as a member of the Opel family, although it now has a much more refined and eye-catching look. The front is, possibly, where most of the changes are concentrated.

The light clusters, arrow-shaped both at the top and at the bottom, give a dynamic look that recalls other models of the brand. The grille adopts a more elongated shape which, together with the mouldings on the lower part of the bumper, gives the car a “wide” footprint. The bonnet now features a U-shaped bulge, never seen before on a Corsa.

The side view is, perhaps, the one that changes least compared to its predecessor. We still find an almost triangular glazed surface (in the case of the three-door), which now has a small moulding at the rear to further lengthen the overall visual line. The bodywork has many more creases, which add robustness and aggressiveness to the design.

At the rear, the main change relates to the lights, which for the first time extend and integrate into the tailgate, recalling other models of the brand such as the Astra or the Meriva. The bumper has also been completely redesigned.

Interior design

The Corsa’s cabin has undergone a great change for the better. Gone are the straight, boring lines and the dull, ugly plastics. Now, the interior of the Corsa E looks very attractive. The design has undergone a radical change, sharing certain similarities with the brand’s latest creations such as the Mokka and the Adam.

Soft plastics are distributed across the upper part of the dashboard, while the doors and the lower part of the dashboard feature hard plastics, well fitted, but hard.
Personalisation and design have become a fundamental part of the “Corsa atmosphere”, and it is now possible to choose a wide range of upholstery, colours and trims, making the interior much more welcoming. The instrumentation is now extremely complete thanks to an on-board computer with a large amount of information.

Technology and engines

The Opel Corsa has renewed much of its chassis. To begin with, the suspensions now have revised tuning -softer dampers and stiffer springs-, as well as redesigned geometry. The front axle features a McPherson architecture, while at the rear a torsion beam is responsible for absorbing the imperfections of the road surface.

The Corsa can now be fitted with two types of chassis. The first, Comfort, will come as standard with 15″ and 16″ wheels, while the Sport, slightly stiffer, will be optional with 16″ wheels and standard on Corsas with 17″ wheels.
The steering has also been completely reworked to offer better feel. In addition, a new “City” mode is added, which makes parking manoeuvres and low-speed driving easier.

The Corsa will arrive on the market with two 1.3 CDTI diesel engines with power outputs of 75 and 90 CV. Both meet the Euro 6 standard without the need for additives or special catalytic converters. Homologated consumption figures are very low in both cases, at 3.7 litres per 100 km.
In petrol, the options will be more numerous. Two naturally aspirated 1.4-litre engines with 75 and 90 CV, as well as a new 1.4 Turbo with 100 CV. The most powerful version features the engine already debuted on the Adam 1.0 SIDI Turbo with 115 CV.

The gearboxes will be available as 5- and 6-speed manuals -the latter redesigned-, as well as a 6-speed automatic with torque converter -a first in the segment-. The latest evolution of the Easytronic automated manual, called Easytronic 3.0, with 5 speeds, is also incorporated.

Driving sensations

The vehicle driven had the 1.4 Turbo engine. It is one of the novelties within the Corsa range. It is an engine that delivers 100 CV and a notable torque of 200 Nm from low revs, and which, combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox, gives it a very appreciable agility.

It is one of those engines that is rewarding to drive. It is easy to handle, and although it does not stand out in outright performance, it moves along with total adequacy. As a negative point, we can mention a behaviour of the engine that is rather “dieselised”. The sound is not particularly pleasant, and above 4,500 rpm its output begins to drop, making revving it beyond 5,000 rpm practically pointless.

The electrically assisted steering provides sufficient assistance in any circumstance, although it is too isolated, transmitting an insufficient amount of information. The Corsa’s dynamic behaviour has improved over the previous generation: it is now stiffer, more direct, and tends to understeer less.

Seated inside, the seats are really comfortable, and although visibility is not brilliant, it is sufficient for urban use. The feel of the pedals is typical of an urban-oriented vehicle, with soft pedals and a light, easy-to-guide gear lever.

Technology

One of the most interesting aspects of the Corsa’s evolution is, without a doubt, the technological load it can offer. Opel has decided to make the Corsa one of the most modern city cars on the market, and we can say, without fear of being mistaken, that it has succeeded.

In terms of comfort, the Corsa can be equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system which, priced at €250, is one of the most affordable and complete on the market, as it can connect to today’s smartphones. In addition, the Corsa can be fitted with heated seats and steering wheel, as well as an opening panoramic roof.

When it comes to safety, the Corsa can hold its own, as it can be equipped with features such as the lane change warning system, blind-spot monitoring, rear-end collision alert, or a front camera for sign recognition. In addition, the small Opel can be fitted with low-intensity bi-xenon headlights, as well as an automatic parking system.

The new generation of the Opel Corsa will reach Spanish dealerships within a few weeks, with orders being accepted from the coming days.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso