Opel Karl and Corsa OPC at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

We now approach the stand that the German brand Opel has set up at this edition of the Geneva Motor Show to present its novelties. And two are the big premieres that we can show you from Geneva: the Corsa OPC and the Opel Karl.

At the stand that Opel has set up at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show we are going to find two big novelties: the Opel Corsa OPC, the sporty version of the compact model, and the Opel Karl, the new city car of the brand, two centimetres shorter in length than the Adam.

Opel Corsa OPC

As soon as we approach the Opel stand, our eyes are drawn to the “Flash Blue” so characteristic of the Opel Corsa OPC, which undoubtedly attracts us for its exterior and interior sportiness. It differs from the conventional variants thanks to the aerodynamic kit that includes a sportier bumper with chrome details, or a rear end that stands out for its bulky rear spoiler.

When we step inside the new Opel Corsa OPC 2015 we sit on Recaro seats with very pronounced stitching, and everything around us conveys the sportiness and dynamism that we already saw on the exterior: the leather steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, the sporty pedals, the “OPC” badge on the gear lever…

However, what really matters is under the bonnet, since this fifth generation of the OPC features a powerful 1.6-litre engine delivering 207 CV and a maximum torque of 245 Nm, which can be increased by 35 Nm thanks to the overboost function. Transmitted to the wheels, this means the OPC can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 6.8 seconds, and can keep the right foot flat down to 230 km/h. One of the novelties for taking full advantage of all this potential lies in the damping system, which allows greater adaptation to the car’s frequency.

In conclusion, the new Corsa OPC continues to convey the same sportiness and dynamism as the previous generations, but technology now allows us to get more out of it. As for production, it is expected to begin in April, but we will have to wait until May to see it at Spanish dealerships, at a starting price of 22,100 euros.

Opel Karl

One of the main premieres of this edition of the Geneva Motor Show is found at the Opel stand. It is the Opel Karl, a city-styled five-door model that will serve as the entry point to the range. With a length of just 3.68 metres and a height of 1.48 metres, the Opel Karl offers just the right space for five passengers or, optionally, 940 litres of cargo space.

Aesthetically, this small city car follows the design philosophy of the German manufacturer. Visually, its side profile caught our attention, where the numerous curves convey movement and dynamism. Furthermore, it is available in three trim levels and with ten different body colours. As for engines, it stands out for equipping the new 1.0 ECOTEC, which delivers 75 CV. It is the all-aluminium petrol engine of one litre and three cylinders. Combined with a five-speed manual gearbox and the ecoFlex package, the official consumption stands at 4.3 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle, equivalent to 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

In terms of equipment and safety, the Opel Karl offers its customers a wide range of technology, highlighting the hill start assist and the lane departure warning integrated in the front camera. It also features a city mode that reduces driving effort at the touch of a button. The parking assistant is also available, and cruise control with speed limiter comes as standard on some trims. The fog lights ensure greater illumination in adverse weather conditions, while the integrated cornering light function ensures that turning manoeuvres are safer for the driver and other road users.

However, we still have a few months to wait before we can see it at Spanish dealerships, since its launch is not expected until mid-summer.

Photos | Highmotor Team