Opel Corsa Color Edition 1.3 CDTI 95 CV, road test (Exterior design, interior and trim)

We continue with the test of the Opel Corsa Color Edition, which we have driven with the 1.3 CDTI 95 CV diesel engine, a unit that sits at the top of the diesel range for the Corsa. Everything about the powertrain and the Corsa’s behaviour was covered in the first part of the test, and that behaviour surprised us in a positive way.

Now, in the second part, we are going to analyse one of the most important and eye-catching aspects of the Color Edition version: its design, both inside and out. We haven’t forgotten interior space or the boot either.

Exterior design

This German urbanite is not exactly new to the market, but with this Color Edition version they have given the design a fresh twist, renewing its exterior look and keeping it very current today.

The first thing that stands out is the black roof and the 17-inch black alloy wheels, both of which come as standard on this trim. The tinted headlights, which add a sporty touch, also stand out, along with the darkened windows and the chrome rear exhaust outlet.

The front headlights on our unit were cornering lights (AFL), meaning standard halogen bulbs that swivel when you turn the steering wheel. This is a welcome extra when driving a lot at night or on poorly lit roads, and it adds to driving safety. Normally you have to move up to saloons with xenon lights to get this system, which is why it is even more valuable that the Opel Corsa offers it.

The 17-inch black wheels are more typical of a sporty car than a city car, completing its sporty image. I say this because the tyres were low profile, with 215/45 R17 dimensions.

Interior design, interior space and trim

The exterior colour carries over inside to the air vents, whose borders match the car’s exterior colour. This may seem like a minor detail, but it gives the interior a more youthful touch. The high-gloss black centre console is another element of the Color Edition trim.

The rest of the interior design changes little compared with a conventional Corsa or with models prior to the facelift. The one exception is the navigation system , which is brand new, and we will talk about it in the third part (we can already say that it has excellent usability and plenty of features).

The predominant materials on the dashboard are hard plastics, which is no surprise in this segment, as it is common to all models. In the case of the Corsa, the fit and finish are correct and nothing felt out of place.

The driving position is comfortable, although a armrest is missed (the eternal forgotten feature of city cars). The seats have a comfortable, rather firm padding, and once again we see the red lines adding more colour to the car, which is an extra in the equipment list.

Two adults in the back will be comfortable, while three will be a tighter squeeze. As for legroom and headroom, it is simply adequate without standing out in this area. The windows are manual, even though this is the highest trim in the range.

Storage and boot

The doors have a space for a small water bottle as well as room for other things. Meanwhile the centre console also has a large compartment for leaving things such as a phone or keys, though there is no typical armrest storage bin since it does not have one.

The boot is practical, partly thanks to its false floor, as well as having regular, very usable shapes. Capacity is 285 litres, and there is also a place to store the parcel shelf when we are not using it so it doesn’t get in the way.

In the third part of the test we will focus on equipment, including safety equipment, and on prices, to finish with our overall verdict on the Opel Corsa Color Edition.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira