2020 has marked the introduction of the 6th generation Opel Corsa and we at Rev.ie are delighted to have participated in the initial test drive. Opel as a brand, have undergone some serious changes including the recent acquisition by the PSA Group. This means there is a lot of attention on the new Corsa as the company produce their first car, since the buyout. Naturally components are now shared with sister cars like the Peugeot 208 but does Opel manage to retain any of its German appeal? First launched in 1982, the Corsa is Opel’s best-selling model, with over 13 million units sold in Europe to date. In 2007 and 2015, Corsa generations four and five still took awards in prestigious events worldwide. This MK6 variant not only looks good but it is well appointed both inside and out. Let’s have a look and see how it preforms over the following categories.
With modern, dynamic lines and a slightly lower body stance, the all-new Corsa offers increased interior space and comfort, all the while retaining its renowned German precision for detail. Whilst the overall exterior height has been reduced to deliver better aerodynamics and lower CO2 / consumption, an increase in front headroom, a longer wheelbase and increased overall exterior length return optimum cabin space and comfort for passengers. The boot volume is increased (+24 litres) to 309 litres, or up to 1,081 litres with seats folded. A weight reduction of 108kg, matched to an improvement in torsional stiffness and lower centre of gravity, delivers greater agility, performance and handling over the previous generation Corsa model.
Buyers have a choice of 2 petrol engines (1.2 75bhp or 1.2 100bhp), matched to a manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic, and a 1.5 102bhp diesel engine manual, from launch, the improved Corsa delivers a reduction in CO2 of up to 25%. Soon there will be a Corsa-e 134bhp which will return an electric range of up to 337km. Available in three trims – SC, SRi and Elite – safety technology features available as standard, or as an option, dependent on trim include Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian detection, radar-based Adaptive Speed Control, Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition. The new Opel Corsa also brings to the segment for the very first time, adaptive glare-free IntelliLux LED matrix lighting. The new Corsa scored 4 out of 5 stars in the Euro NCAP test. The new Opel Corsa retails from €17,975 plus delivery and related charges for the entry SR. The SRi starts at €23,000 and the Elite kicks off at €24,300. Prices are not confirmed for the Corsa E yet, but we anticipate it will land priced between €35k – €40k. The entry SR trim is competitively priced but the B segment has many options.
Our test drive took us on a mixture of motorway and backroads to get a feel for the Corsa. Our first test car was the 1.5 Diesel Elite and we were pleasantly surprised with how nice it was to drive. The six speed manual gearbox felt perfectly suited to the 102hp Diesel and the ride on back roads was particularly good. For us here at DoneDeal this is the smart man’s buy if you are doing mileage with a small family. We predict it will be popular with rental car companies along with driving schools and the like. Our second test car was the 1.2 Petrol Elite which will no doubt be the volume seller. Again in SRi trim it is well appointed and if anything, even nicer inside than the Elite. Naturally it’s a more rev happy engine and you find yourself working the manual gearbox a little more but it’s still, a very pleasant drive. The 1.2 75hp variant we have yet to drive. For urban commuters it will no doubt make sense but be warned, with four people on board and a motorway spin planned you will feel the constraints of that small engine! Overall Opel have a real offering once again with the Corsa. The new technology and better drive over the outgoing model will for sure make this a contender not to be overlooked. Hopefully we will get to drive the electric version in the not too distant future.
