The Opel Corsa is a
supermini car engineered and produced by the German automobile manufacturer
Opel
Opel Automobile GmbH (), usually shortened to Opel, is a German automobile manufacturer which has been a subsidiary of Stellantis since 16 January 2021. It was owned by the American automaker General Motors from 1929 until 2017 and the PSA Grou ...
since 1982. Throughout its existence, it has been sold under a variety of other brands owned by
General Motors
The General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and ...
(most notably
Vauxhall
Vauxhall ( ) is a district in South West London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. Vauxhall was part of Surrey until 1889 when the County of London was created. Named after a medieval manor, "Fox Hall", it became well known for ...
,
Chevrolet
Chevrolet ( ), colloquially referred to as Chevy and formally the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors Company, is an American automobile division of the American manufacturer General Motors (GM). Louis Chevrolet (1878–1941) and ous ...
, and
Holden
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary company of General Motors. It was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter which sold cars under its own marque in Australia. In its last thre ...
) and also spawned various other derivatives.
At its height of popularity, the Corsa became the best-selling car in the world in 1998, recording 910,839 sales with assembly operations in four continents and was sold under five marques with five different body styles. By 2007, over 18 million Corsas had been sold globally.
Corsa A (S83; 1982)
The
front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longit ...
Opel Corsa was first launched in September 1982. It went on sale first in France, Italy, and Spain - markets where small cars represented from 34 to 43 percent of overall automobile sales.
Sales across the remainder of Europe were to have begun by March 1983. General Motors' internal code for the Corsa/Nova was the S-car.
Built-in
Zaragoza
Zaragoza, also known in English as Saragossa,''Encyclopædia Britannica'"Zaragoza (conventional Saragossa)" is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It lies by the Ebro river and its tributari ...
, Spain, the first Corsas were three-door
hatchback
A hatchback is a car body configuration with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to a cargo area. Hatchbacks may feature fold-down second row seating, where the interior can be reconfigured to prioritize passenger or cargo volume. ...
and two-door
saloon models, with four-door and five-door versions added in 1984. In certain markets, commercial "van" models were also sold, with or without rear windows depending on local requirements. In mainland Europe, the saloon versions were known as the "Corsa TR" until May 1985 and received an egg-crate grille rather than the four slits used on hatchbacks. The saloons were intended to appeal to customers of the
Opel Kadett C
The Opel Kadett C is a small family car which was produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel from 1973 to 1979. The Kadett C, which was the third generation of the Opel Kadett, was released in August 1973, Oswald 1945 - 90 (vol 3), pp. ...
and its sister the
Vauxhall Chevette
The Vauxhall Chevette is a supermini car that was manufactured by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom from 1975 to 1984. It was Vauxhall's version of the " T-Car" small-car family from Vauxhall's parent General Motors (GM), and based primarily on the ...
who still desired a traditional three-box sedan shape - while it did not sell particularly well in most of Europe, the TR was popular in Spain and Portugal among other markets. While only taking ten percent of French Corsa sales during the car's first half-year, the TR represented half of all Corsas sold in Spain.
The basic trim level was called just the Corsa, which was followed by the Corsa Luxus, Corsa Berlina, and the sporty Corsa SR. The SR receives a spoiler which surrounds the rear window, alloy wheels, checkered sport seats, and a somewhat more powerful engine.
Six years later, the Corsa received a facelift, which included a new front fascia and some other minor changes. The models were called LS, GL, GLS, and GT.
The Corsa A was known in the United Kingdom market as the
Vauxhall Nova
The Opel Corsa is a supermini car engineered and produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel since 1982. Throughout its existence, it has been sold under a variety of other brands owned by General Motors (most notably Vauxhall, Chevrolet ...
(as it was considered that Corsa sounded too much like "''coarser''"), where it was launched in April 1983, following a seven-month-long union dispute due to British workers being angry about the car not being built there, in contrast to the rival
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a supermini car marketed by Ford since 1976 over seven generations. Over the years, the Fiesta has mainly been developed and manufactured by Ford's European operations, and has been positioned below the Escort (later the ...
,
Austin Metro
The Metro is a supermini car, later a city car that was produced by British Leyland (BL) and, later, the Rover Group from 1980 to 1998. It was launched in 1980 as the Austin mini Metro. It was intended to complement and eventually replace the M ...
and
Talbot Samba
The Talbot Samba is a city car manufactured by the PSA Group in the former Simca factory in Poissy, France, and marketed under the short-lived modern-day Talbot brand from 1981 to 1986. Based on the Peugeot 104, it was the only Talbot not inherite ...
. In addition, there was also a dispute about the disparity of import tariffs, as while cars exported from Spain to the European Community were subject to tariffs of only 4.4 per cent, those exported in the other direction were subject to tariffs as high as 36.7 per cent.
Power first came from 1.0 L 45 hp, 1.2 L 55 hp, and 1.3 L 70 hp petrol engines. (The first engines were all equipped with carburetors; fuel injection came later, but never for the 1.0.) The engines were based on the well proven
Family I design, except for the 1.0 L and early 1.2 L engines, which were based on the
OHV
An overhead valve (OHV) engine, sometimes called a ''pushrod engine'', is a piston engine whose valves are located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier flathead engines, where the valves were located bel ...
unit from the Kadett C.
There was also an Isuzu-built, 1.5 L turbo diesel
engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy.
Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power gen ...
available, which was also used in the
Isuzu Gemini
The Isuzu Gemini is a subcompact car produced by the Japanese automaker Isuzu from 1974 until 2000. The same basic product was built and/or sold under several other names, sometimes by other General Motors brands, in various markets around the wo ...
at around the same time. The diesel, along with the sporty GSi, joined the line up at the
Frankfurt Motor Show
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
in May 1987.
The engines and most of the mechanical componentry were derived from those used in the
Astra/Kadett. In September 1987 the Corsa received a light facelift, with a new grille that was now the same on hatchbacks and sedans, an updated interior, and other slight changes. For the 1989 model year, the 1.3 was bored out to 1.4 liters. Power remained the same, although torque increased.
A rare "Sport" model was produced in 1985 to homologate for the sub 1,300 cc class of
Group A
Group A is a set of motorsport regulations administered by the FIA covering production derived vehicles intended for competition, usually in touring car racing and rallying. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, Group A vehicles w ...
for the
British Rally Championship
The British Rally Championship is a rallying series based in the United Kingdom. The first championship was run in 1958 and it has been licensed by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) since 1999. MSA has opted not to run the series in 2015, in ...
. These Sport models were white and came with unique vinyl decals, a 13SB engine with twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, an optional bespoke camshaft, a replacement rear silencer, and few luxuries. This gave 93 hp and a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h) with a 0–60 mph time of 8.9 seconds. These are by far the rarest models (500 produced) and thus acquire a high market price if one does become available.
A 1.6 L multi point
fuel-injected
Fuel injection is the introduction of fuel in an internal combustion engine, most commonly automotive engines, by the means of an injector. This article focuses on fuel injection in reciprocating piston and Wankel rotary engines.
All com ...
engine with at 5600 rpm ( in the catalysed version) and capable of was added to the Corsa/Nova at the 1987
Frankfurt Motor Show
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
, giving decent performance and being badged as a GSi ("Nova GTE" in pre-facelift models in the United Kingdom, later models were all called GSi).
The GSi's
engine mapping had been carried out by Opel tuning specialists
Irmscher
Irmscher Automobilbau GmbH & Co. KG is a German car tuning and manufacturing company, specialising in Opel, Peugeot and Kia vehicles as well as working for the complete automotive industry as an engineering service provider.
It was founded i ...
. A model with the 1.4 L multi-point fuel-injected engine, which was otherwise mechanically identical to the GSi, also became available as the Nova SRi in the United Kingdom. In January 1988, a turbocharged version of the Isuzu diesel engine was introduced, with power increased to .
[
The design was freshened in September 1990, with new bumpers, headlights, grille, and interior, but it was clearly recognisable as a gentle makeover of an early 1980s design when it had to compete with the latest two all-new superminis in Europe – the ]Peugeot 106
The Peugeot 106 is a supermini produced by French automaker Peugeot between 1991 and 2003. Launched in September 1991, it was Peugeot's entry level offering throughout its production life, and was initially sold only as a three door hatchback, ...
and the Renault Clio
The Renault Clio () is a supermini car (B-segment), produced by French automobile manufacturer Renault. It was launched in 1990, and entered its fifth generation in 2019. The Clio has had substantial critical and commercial success, being consis ...
.
File:Opel Corsa A rear 20080131.jpg, Rear view, 1987 facelift model
File:Opel Corsa GT (22317486254).jpg, Opel Corsa GT (pre-facelift)
File:Opel Corsa A GT 1.3 IAA 2019 JM 0654.jpg, Opel Corsa GT 1.3 (1987)
File:Opel Corsa 2 door notchback.jpg, Opel Corsa TR two-door (1982–1987)
File:MHV Opel Corsa TR 02.jpg, Rear view
File:1986 Opel Corsa A 1.2 S (16613368157).jpg, Opel Corsa five-door (1985–1987), note different grille from Corsa TR
File:Opel Corsa 1.4i Swing (11403549366).jpg, Opel Corsa four-door (1990–1993; rear)
File:Opel Corsa 1.2 "Strada" (10476179675).jpg, 1990-1993 facelift model, "Strada" special edition ( NL)
File:1988 Opel Corsa A GSi (14766511221).jpg, 1988 Opel Corsa GSi (rear)
File:Opel Corsa A Van 1.2S 5-9-1989 VF-93-XH.jpg, 1989 Opel Corsa Van
File:Opel Corsa A Michalak Spider Classic-Gala 2021 1X7A0125.jpg, The Michalak Spider was one of many tuned versions of the Corsa available in the era
Vauxhall Nova
The Corsa A was rebadged
In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand (at high cost or risk), a man ...
as the Vauxhall Nova between April 1983 and March 1993 for the United Kingdom only, as it had been decided to phase out the Vauxhall brand entirely in favor of Opel in the Republic of Ireland.
( "Nova" is a trademark which GM had already used in North America). It effectively replaced the aging Chevette, which finished production in January 1984. Nearly 500,000 Novas were sold in Britain over the next ten years, but by February 2016, only 1,757 were still on the road. In its best year, 1989, it was Britain's seventh best selling car with more than 70,000 sales. All Nova models were manufactured in Spain, with the first customers in the United Kingdom taking delivery of their cars in April 1983. It gave Vauxhall a much needed modern competitor in the supermini market in the United Kingdom, as the Chevette was older than the majority of its main competitors which consisted of the Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a supermini car marketed by Ford since 1976 over seven generations. Over the years, the Fiesta has mainly been developed and manufactured by Ford's European operations, and has been positioned below the Escort (later the ...
and the Austin Metro
The Metro is a supermini car, later a city car that was produced by British Leyland (BL) and, later, the Rover Group from 1980 to 1998. It was launched in 1980 as the Austin mini Metro. It was intended to complement and eventually replace the M ...
. With the late 1990 facelift a small van version arrived, called the Vauxhall Nova Van.
Sales in the United Kingdom were strong right up to the end, but by the time the last Nova was built in the beginning of 1993, it was looking very dated in comparison to more modern rivals like the Peugeot 106
The Peugeot 106 is a supermini produced by French automaker Peugeot between 1991 and 2003. Launched in September 1991, it was Peugeot's entry level offering throughout its production life, and was initially sold only as a three door hatchback, ...
and the Renault Clio
The Renault Clio () is a supermini car (B-segment), produced by French automobile manufacturer Renault. It was launched in 1990, and entered its fifth generation in 2019. The Clio has had substantial critical and commercial success, being consis ...
. Vauxhall dropped the Nova name in 1993 when their version of the Opel Corsa B made its debut, and later models were sold as the Vauxhall Corsa instead. This was the second Vauxhall to adopt the same model name as the Opel version, the first being the Senator
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
.
A television advert in 1986 featured the Ritchie Valens
Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed i ...
hit " La Bamba" playing in the background, and used CGI to allow a Nova to drive over vehicles in a busy city. Another advert from 1990 featured a Nova as a pet, CGI allowing it to jump through a traffic jam and briefly play a hotrod
Hot rods are typically American cars that might be old, classic, or modern and that have been rebuilt or modified with large engines optimised for speed and acceleration. One definition is: "a car that's been stripped down, souped up and made ...
whilst stopped at traffic lights. The end featured a homage to ''Wacky Races
Eccentricity (also called quirkiness) is an unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive. Eccentricity is contrasted with nor ...
'', with the Nova laughing like Muttley
Muttley is a fictional dog created in 1968 by Hanna-Barbera Productions; he was originally voiced by Don Messick. He is the foil to the cartoon villain Dick Dastardly, and appeared with him in the 1968 television series '' Wacky Races'' and its ...
. This advert featured Angus Deayton
Gordon Angus Deayton (; born 6 January 1956) is an English actor, writer, musician, comedian, and broadcaster. He was the original presenter of the satirical panel game '' Have I Got News for You,'' the host of British panel show '' Would I Lie ...
.
File:1990 Vauxhall Nova L 1.2 Front.jpg, Vauxhall Nova five-door (1989–1990)
File:1992 Vauxhall Nova 1.4 Merit Plus (19299240358).jpg, Vauxhall Nova five-door (1990–1993)
Corsa B (S93; 1993)
In April 1993, the Corsa B was unveiled and in the United Kingdom Vauxhall dropped the Nova name, with the car from now being known as the Corsa. In May 1994, it was launched by Holden
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary company of General Motors. It was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter which sold cars under its own marque in Australia. In its last thre ...
in Australia, as the Barina, replacing a version of the Suzuki Swift sold under that name. This proved a success, and was the first Spanish built car to be sold in significant volumes in the Australian market.
Unlike the previous model, there was no saloon version for the European market, but one was designed in Brazil for the Latin American market, as saloons were much preferred to hatchbacks there. This was also introduced in South Africa and India. An estate car, panel van and pickup truck were also introduced, and a convertible version was produced for the Australian market, called the Holden Barina Cabrio. Chevrolet Corsa Sedan, Chevrolet Corsa Pick Up and Chevrolet Corsa Wagon were Designed by Wagner Montes Cla Dias in the GM Brasil Studios in São Caetano do Sul
São Caetano do Sul (or São Caetano) ('' Saint Cajetan of the South''. ) is a city in São Paulo state in Brazil. It is part of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. The population is 161,957 (2020 est.) in an area of 15.33 km2. It is the ci ...
.
Italy was the only European country where the Argentinian-built wagon version was offered, which meant that the Italian importer had to shoulder the entire cost of homologation. In Italy, the wagon was offered with a 1.4-liter 16-valve petrol engine or the 1.7-liter turbodiesel. The Corsa also spawned a small coupé, named the Opel Tigra
The Opel Tigra name has been applied to two different cars engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel, both based on different iterations of the Corsa supermini, the first built in Spain, the second in France. The first Tigra was a sma ...
.
Four cylinder power came from 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 litre Family 1
Family 1 is a group of Greek Gospel manuscripts, varying in date from the 12th to the 15th century. The group takes its name from the minuscule codex 1, now in the Basel University Library, Switzerland. "Family 1" is also known as "the Lake Grou ...
petrol engines, as well as an economical 1.5 L turbodiesel
The term turbo-diesel, also written as turbodiesel and turbo diesel, refers to any diesel engine equipped with a turbocharger. As with other engine types, turbocharging a diesel engine can significantly increase its efficiency and power output, ...
engine. Most cars received a five speed manual transmission, although a four speed automatic was also available with certain engines. In the first few years, a four speed manual was also available coupled to the smallest 1.2 litre engine.
1.0 L three cylinder and 1.2 L four-cylinder Family 0 economy version was launched in 1997, and a Lotus tuned suspension was added as well as an exterior refresh.
The saloon model was built and sold in Latin America as the Chevrolet Corsa Classic until 2010 when it was replaced with the model previously released for China in 2005 as the Buick Sail. A budget version introduced for the Brazilian market, the Chevrolet Celta
The Chevrolet Celta, also known as the Suzuki Fun, is a low cost supermini car produced by Chevrolet for the Latin American market between 2000 and 2015. A sedan version is marketed as the Chevrolet Prisma. 600,000 Celtas have been built in Gr ...
, has bodywork resembling the end of the 1990s Vectra and Astra. The Celta was sold in Argentina as the Suzuki Fun for a certain period.
In 2011, General Motors stopped representing Suzuki in Argentina, so the Celta reverted to its original name under the Chevrolet brand. Argentinian production began in September 1997, where it was the first locally built Chevrolet passenger car since 1978.
The Latin American Corsa received a small facelift in 1999, with smoother bumpers, and from April 2002 (when the new Corsa II was introduced) the Corsa B began being marketed as the "Corsa Classic" until 2010, where it became the "Classic" when the Corsa B derived Chevrolet Sail and Chevrolet Celta replaced it. Production finally ceased in October 2016.
The saloon and estate car versions were produced in China by Shanghai GM
SAIC General Motors Corporation Limited (More commonly known as SAIC-GM; ; formerly known as "Shanghai General Motors Company Ltd", "Shanghai GM"; ) is a joint venture between General Motors Company and SAIC Motor that manufactures and sells Chev ...
as Buick Sail
A sail is a tensile structure—which is made from fabric or other membrane materials—that uses wind power to propel sailing craft, including sailing ships, sailboats, windsurfers, ice boats, and even sail-powered land vehicles. Sails may ...
and Buick Sail S-RV, respectively from June 2001 to February 2005. That year, they received a facelift and became known as the Chevrolet Sail and SRV. In September 2006, Chile became the first country outside China to receive the Chinese assembled Sail; it is called the Chevrolet Corsa Plus there, available as a four-door saloon with a 1.6 L engine. The Corsa Plus includes dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, electric windows and central locking as standard equipment.
In India, the hatchback, saloon and estate car versions were sold as the Corsa Sail, Corsa (or Corsa Joy) and Corsa Swing respectively until the end of 2005. The hatchback model was still being produced, and extensively marketed in South Africa as the Corsa Lite under the Opel branding until 2009; at which point it was discontinued.
In Thailand, the Corsa was available as an Opel with a fuel-injected 8V 1.4-litre engine and "Joy" and "Swing" variants, both available with three or five-door and either a manual or an automatic gearbox.
File:Opel Corsa 5door second generation.jpg, Opel Corsa five-door
(1993–1997)
File:Opel Corsa rear 20080417.jpg, Opel Corsa three-door
(1997–2000)
File:Opel Corsa B 1.2 16V Edition 2000 5-Türer Facelift rear.JPG, Opel Corsa five-door (1997–2000)
File:Corsa caravan.jpg, Opel Corsa Caravan
File:1994 Vauxhall Corsa LS 1.2 Front.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa three-door (pre facelift)
File:1997 Vauxhall Corsa LS Automatic 5 Doors facelift 1.4.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa five-door (facelift)
File:1996-1997 Holden Barina (SB) City 3-door hatchback (2011-08-17) 01.jpg, Holden Barina
The Holden Barina is a subcompact automobile sold between 1985 and 2018 by Holden in Australasia. Each of the six generations have been badge-engineered versions of various General Motors vehicles, namely Suzuki Cultus, Opel Corsa, and Daewoo K ...
three-door (pre-facelift)
File:1998 Holden Barina (SB) Cabrio convertible (22311990821) (cropped).jpg, Holden Barina cabrio (facelift)
File:Corsa Innenraum.jpg, Interior
File:Buick Sail China 2012-04-28.JPG, Buick Sail sedan (China)
File:Buick Sail SRV China 2012-04-14.JPG, Buick Sail SRV (China)
File:Chevrolet Sail China 2012-04-14.JPG, Chevrolet Sail
The Chevrolet Sail () is a subcompact car produced by SAIC-GM, a joint venture of General Motors in China. Launched in 2001, it was sold as the Buick Sail in China in both in sedan and wagon form which were both based on Opel Corsa#Corsa B, Opel Co ...
(China)
Safety
The Corsa was updated in 1997, resulting in different styling options and better safety features:
The Corsa Classic in its most basic Latin American configuration with no airbags received 1 star for adult occupants and 1 star for toddlers from Latin NCAP
The Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP) is an automobile safety assessment programme for Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 2010, it offers independent information to consumers about the safety levels of new cars in the ...
in 2011.
South Africa
The Corsa B was manufactured in South Africa and first entered the market in November 1996, featuring three models (Lite, 130i and 130iS), all having the same 1.3L (13NE) 8 valve engine producing 58 kW. In 1999 the range was updated, dropping the 1.3L engine in favor of a 1.4 (14NE) producing 65 kW and a 1.6 (C16SE) producing 75 kW, both still being 8 valve engines. From model year 2001, a facelift was performed, resulting in some front and rear styling changes, including a new front bumper, bonnet and clear headlight lenses and new taillight lenses featuring a "bubble" look. The Corsa B continued in production post 2002, when the Corsa C was introduced, with only the 1.4-litre engine remaining available in various "Lite" trim models (three-door only) until production ultimately ceased in 2007. Alongside the three-door hatchback, four-door sedan and pickup derivatives were also available earlier on.
Specifications differed compared to European Corsa B models, with the following features offered in Europe and UK never being offered on South African models:
* 16 valve engines (all models used the older SOHC 8 valve engine design)
* ABS brakes
* Airbags
* Electric windows and mirrors were never offered on any three-door models and only on the top spec (160iE) four-door sedan
* No automatic transmission option was ever offered
Mexico
For 1995, General Motors de México first marketed the Corsa B as the Chevrolet Chevy. For 2004 (after the Corsa C had been introduced in 2002), a Mexican designed and produced version of the hatchback and saloon, known as the Chevrolet Chevy C2, was released, which was also sold in Colombia.
All Mexican previous versions were known as the Chevy, with the names Monza used on the saloon, and Swing (five-door) and Joy (three-door) for the hatchbacks, all with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder. There was also a low-end three-door model called the Chevrolet Chevy Popular, which was equipped with a 1.4-liter engine.[ The latter 2004 and 2008 redesigns were simply named Chevy and Chevy Sedán. The Chevy was a favourite among taxicab drivers and one of the best selling cars in the country.
The Chevy ended production at the end of August 2011, at the Ramos Arizpe assembly plant. This move was because the Chevy's sales had been dropping constantly since the beginning of 2010, and also because it didn't meet the new safety requirement rules in Mexico that forced it to have standard front airbags.
The five-door hatchback was dropped after the 2010 model year, leaving only the four-door saloon and the three-door hatchback, this three-door hatch being the most popular model. The Chevy was discontinued only a short run of 2012 models, after almost 18 years on the Mexican market.
The successor for the three-door and saloon, the Chevrolet Sonic was also built in Ramos Arizpe starting 2012, while GM subsequently replaced the five-door Chevy with the ]Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark ( ko, 쉐보레 스파크, translit=) is a city car manufactured by General Motors's subsidiary GM Korea from 1998 to 2022. The vehicle was initially developed by Daewoo and was introduced in 1998 as the Daewoo Matiz ( ko, 대 ...
.
File:'06-'08 Chevrolet Chevy 3-Door.jpg, Chevrolet Chevy (Version called C2) three-door
File:2009 Chevrolet Chevy Sedan.jpg, Chevrolet Chevy Sedán
File:'10-'12 Chevrolet Chevy Sedan -- Rear.JPG, Chevrolet Chevy Sedán
File:Chevrolet Corsa 1.6 ST Pick up 2004.jpg, Chevrolet Chevy Pick-up
OPEL CORSA
* Opel Corsa – Europe (except the United Kingdom)
* Vauxhall Corsa – United Kingdom
* Buick Sail
A sail is a tensile structure—which is made from fabric or other membrane materials—that uses wind power to propel sailing craft, including sailing ships, sailboats, windsurfers, ice boats, and even sail-powered land vehicles. Sails may ...
– China, June 2001 until February 2005
* Chevrolet Corsa – Latin America (Opel Corsa in Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
)
* Chevrolet Corsa ''Classic'' – South America, after the release of the Corsa C
* Chevrolet Classic – Brazil, since 2005; Argentina, since 2010
* Holden Barina – Australia and New Zealand (was replaced by the Daewoo Kalos
Daewoo ( ; Hangul: , Hanja: , ; literally "great universe" and a portmanteau of "dae" meaning great, and the given name of founder and chairman Kim Woo-choong) also known as the Daewoo Group, was a major South Korean chaebol (type of conglomera ...
from 2005)
* Opel Corsa ''Lite'' and Opel Corsa ''Classic'' – South Africa, for the hatchback and sedan versions respectively
* Opel Corsa ''Sail'' and Opel Corsa ''Swing'' – India, for the hatchback and the estate car version respectively
* Opel Vita – Japan ''(Toyota
is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on . Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 ...
already registered the Corsa name for one of their domestic
Domestic may refer to:
In the home
* Anything relating to the human home or family
** A domestic animal, one that has undergone domestication
** A domestic appliance, or home appliance
** A domestic partnership
** Domestic science, sometimes c ...
models, the Toyota Tercel
The is a subcompact car manufactured by Toyota from 1978 until 1999 across five generations, in five body configurations sized between the Corolla and the Starlet. Manufactured at the Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Japan, and sharing its plat ...
)''
* Chevrolet Chevy
The Opel Corsa is a supermini car engineered and produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel since 1982. Throughout its existence, it has been sold under a variety of other brands owned by General Motors (most notably Vauxhall, Chevr ...
– Mexico, for the 2004 Corsa derived Chevy C2, facelifted at the end of 2008 for 2009. It was discontinued in the first quarter of 2012.
;Derived versions
* Chevrolet Sail
The Chevrolet Sail () is a subcompact car produced by SAIC-GM, a joint venture of General Motors in China. Launched in 2001, it was sold as the Buick Sail in China in both in sedan and wagon form which were both based on Opel Corsa#Corsa B, Opel Co ...
– China, since 2005. A new version was released in 2010 then another in 2014.
* Chevrolet Classic – Argentina and Brazil, since 2011, for the Chevrolet Sail
* Chevrolet Corsa ''Plus'' – Chile, for the Chinese built Chevrolet Sail
* Chevrolet Celta
The Chevrolet Celta, also known as the Suzuki Fun, is a low cost supermini car produced by Chevrolet for the Latin American market between 2000 and 2015. A sedan version is marketed as the Chevrolet Prisma. 600,000 Celtas have been built in Gr ...
and Chevrolet Prisma
Chevrolet Prisma may refer to:
*The sedan version of the Chevrolet Celta
The Chevrolet Celta, also known as the Suzuki Fun, is a low cost supermini car produced by Chevrolet for the Latin American market between 2000 and 2015. A sedan versio ...
– South America, for the hatchback and saloon version respectively
* Chevrolet Monza for the four-door (sedan) edition of the Chevrolet Chevy
The Opel Corsa is a supermini car engineered and produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel since 1982. Throughout its existence, it has been sold under a variety of other brands owned by General Motors (most notably Vauxhall, Chevr ...
. Discontinued in spring 2012.
* Suzuki Fun – Argentina, for the Corsa derived Chevrolet Celta. Discontinued in 2011. Name switched to Chevrolet Celta.
Corsa C (X01; 2000)
The Corsa C was revealed in 1999, and introduced to the European market in October 2000, and the facelift arrived in August 2003. General Motors
The General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and ...
dubbed the new chassis Gamma
Gamma (uppercase , lowercase ; ''gámma'') is the third letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 3. In Ancient Greek, the letter gamma represented a voiced velar stop . In Modern Greek, this letter re ...
, and intended to use it for a number of other models. A saloon version was also offered in Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East. In 2002, the Corsa chassis spawned a mini MPV
Mini MPV— an abbreviation for mini multi-purpose vehicle— is a vehicle size class for the smallest size of minivans/MPVs. The mini MPV size class sits below the compact MPV size class and the vehicles are often built on the platforms of B-se ...
called the Opel Meriva
The Opel Meriva is a car manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Opel on its Corsa platform, from May 2003 until June 2017 across two generations. Described as a mini MPV, it was marketed as the Vauxhall Meriva in the United Kingdom, w ...
, development of which began under Opel in Rüsselsheim. In Japan, where the car was sold through Yanase as the Opel Vita, where it was discontinued in April 2004 due to sluggish sales.
The vehicle won 2001 Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Ireland.
File:Opel Corsa C 1.2 Elegance rear 20100912.jpg, Opel Corsa five-door (2000–2003)
File:Opel Corsa 1.2 16V ECOTEC (C) – Heckansicht, 1. April 2011, Mettmann.jpg, Opel Corsa three-door (2000–2003)
File:Opel Corsa front 20070609.jpg, Opel Corsa three-door (2003–2006)
File:Opel Corsa rear 20070609.jpg, Opel Corsa three-door (2003–2006)
File:Opel Corsa C Facelift rear 20090919.jpg, Opel Corsa five-door (2003–2006)
File:2003 Vauxhall Corsa Club 12V 1.0.jpg, Pre facelift Vauxhall Corsa
File:2005 Vauxhall Corsa Life Twinport facelift 1.0.jpg, Post facelift Vauxhall Corsa
File:2001 Holden Barina (XC) 5-door hatchback (2015-07-03) 01.jpg, Holden Barina five-door (pre-facelift)
File:2004 Holden Barina (XC MY04) SXi 3-door hatchback (2010-06-17) 01.jpg, Holden Barina three-door (facelift)
File:Opel Corsa interior.JPG, Interior
Safety
Euro NCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven (Belgium) formed in 1996, with the first results released in February ...
test results for a LHD, three-door hatchback variant on a registration from 2002:
Brazil
The Brazilian version of the Corsa sold in those countries featured a more conservative front end than its European counterpart.
Brazil also offered a pickup truck version of the Corsa named the Chevrolet Montana
The Chevrolet Montana is a front-wheel drive coupé utility (first two generations)/crossover pickup (third generation) manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand since 2003. Mainly produced in Brazil and marketed throughout Latin ...
(sold in some markets as the Tornado), which, as well as the saloon, was exported in a completely knocked down form to South Africa for local assembly.
Mexico
The Corsa C arrived in the 2002 model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
as a five-door hatchback, and was imported from Europe; but for the model year of 2003, the Corsa sold in Mexico began coming from Brazil and a saloon version was added. In 2005, the saloon version introduced a automated manual transmission
The automated manual transmission (AMT) is a type of transmission for motor vehicles. It is essentially a conventional manual transmission but uses automatic actuation to operate the clutch and/or shift between gears.
Many early versions of t ...
called Easytronic
Easytronic is the Opel tradename for a type of transaxle-based automated manual transmission or gearbox, as used in some Opel/Vauxhall cars.
Easytronic is not a tiptronic gearbox design; it does not have a torque converter. It is fundamental ...
because it was only offered in a five-speed manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...
, however, the easytronic transmission was rapidly discontinued after the model year of 2007, because of poor sales and technical flaws.
For 2008, the Corsa was tweaked with a freshened grille, lights, and a gold-coloured Chevrolet logo. The Chevrolet Corsa C was discontinued in the Mexican market in June 2008, leaving only the older and freshened Chevy (Corsa B); and the Corsa C was replaced by the Chevrolet Aveo
The Chevrolet Aveo ( ) is a subcompact car (B-segment) marketed by General Motors since 2002. Originally marketed as the Daewoo Kalos, takeover of Daewoo Motors by General Motors (GM) also saw the car being marketed under seven brands (Chevrolet, ...
, however, Brazil kept the car until 2012 (as the Chevrolet Corsa Final Edition and with the saloon ending in 2011) and Argentina kept the car until 2010, while the Corsa-based Montana continued into 2010.
The Corsa C was that was sold in South America, was produced at the Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city is located northwest of Buenos Aires, on the west bank of the Paraná River. Rosario is the third-most populous ci ...
production plant in Argentina. The Latin American Corsa C featured the Opel inspired Chevrolet logo with a golden bowtie instead of a chromed one – the new logo was first introduced in the South American market with the new Chevrolet Vectra.
File:Chevrolet Corsa Hatchback.JPG, Chevrolet Corsa five-door
File:Chevrolet Corsa 20150814-DSC05622.JPG, Chevrolet Corsa saloon
File:2006 Corsa saloon shown in red colour available in Latin America.jpg, Chevrolet Corsa saloon
File:2006 montana gls 1.7d.jpg, Chevrolet Montana
The Chevrolet Montana is a front-wheel drive coupé utility (first two generations)/crossover pickup (third generation) manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand since 2003. Mainly produced in Brazil and marketed throughout Latin ...
pickup truck
South Africa
GM South Africa initially marketed the hatchback simply as the "New Corsa", later reverting to Corsa, while the previous generation Corsa B was still sold alongside the Corsa C and was branded as Corsa "Lite". A five-door hatchback (three-door was never offered) and four-door sedan as well as a pickup version known as the Corsa Utility was offered. In 2007, the Corsa C saloon was dropped in South Africa. The Corsa hatchback in South Africa did not have the same front fascia as the European Corsa. Instead, it had the same front fascia as the Latin American Chevrolet Corsa. Petrol engines were largely a carry over of the 8 valve SOHC variants from the Corsa B sold in South Africa, in displacements of 1.4L (65 kW), 1.6L (75 kW) and 1.8L (79 kW), the 1.8L was new for the Corsa C offered in range topping models, while this engine was never offered with a Corsa B, it was just a larger bore/stoke version of the existing engines. A 1.7DTi diesel was initially offered, with the a new 1.7CDTi diesel engine being added later.
Oceania
In Australia, the car was launched to much fanfare from many motor journalists, and went on to win the Wheels
A wheel is a circular component that is intended to rotate on an axle bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the six simple machines. Wheels, in conjunction with axles, allow heavy objects to be ...
2001 "Car of the Year Car of the Year (COTY) is a common abbreviation for numerous automotive awards.
The "Car of the Year" phrase is considered to have been introduced by ''Motor Trend'' magazine in 1949 when the new publication named Cadillac as Motor Trend Car of th ...
" (COTY). Holden also imported the SRi version with the 1.8L Astra motor and uprated sports suspension including traction control, ABS brakes, a better tyre/wheel combination, and Irmscher body kit to produce a "baby hot hatch" Barina.
The facelifted 2004 model was also imported; however, in December 2005, the Corsa C was suddenly dropped from the Australian and New Zealand Holden ranges as a cost-cutting measure by GM and was replaced by the Daewoo Kalos
Daewoo ( ; Hangul: , Hanja: , ; literally "great universe" and a portmanteau of "dae" meaning great, and the given name of founder and chairman Kim Woo-choong) also known as the Daewoo Group, was a major South Korean chaebol (type of conglomera ...
, rebadged as a Holden Barina. Motoring journalists were scathing in their criticism of the new model, particularly the bland handling, lackluster engine, and below-par safety features. The Kalos-based Barina was subsequently replaced with a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Sonic
The Chevrolet Aveo ( ) is a subcompact car (B-segment) marketed by General Motors since 2002. Originally marketed as the Daewoo Kalos, takeover of Daewoo Motors by General Motors (GM) also saw the car being marketed under seven brands ( Chevrole ...
/Daewoo Kalos T300 until stocks ran out in early 2019.
United Kingdom
This generation of the Corsa was a huge success for Vauxhall
Vauxhall ( ) is a district in South West London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. Vauxhall was part of Surrey until 1889 when the County of London was created. Named after a medieval manor, "Fox Hall", it became well known for ...
in the United Kingdom, which is the most popular supermini and second most popular car overall in 2002, 2003 and 2004. It was also Britain's best-selling supermini in 2005, achieving third place overall, but in 2006 (the final year of production) it lost top place in the supermini sector after five years and was overtaken by the Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a supermini car marketed by Ford since 1976 over seven generations. Over the years, the Fiesta has mainly been developed and manufactured by Ford's European operations, and has been positioned below the Escort (later the ...
. Overall, it was Britain's fourth most popular car in 2006.
Engine specifications
The Corsa C was introduced with a 1.7 L '' DTI Ecotec'' turbodiesel engine supplied by Isuzu ( Circle L) with 75 hp (55 kW). This was later joined by the 1.7 L '' DI Ecotec'' turbodiesel engine also supplied by Isuzu. The 1.7 L ''DI Ecotec'' did not include an intercooler and this reduced power to . From 2003, a new 1.3 L '' CDTI Ecotec'' turbodiesel engine was supplied by Fiat (MultiJet
Multijet is Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' term for its current common rail direct injection turbodiesel engine range. Most of the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia range as well as certain Chrysler, RAM Trucks, Jeep and Maserati vehicles are equipped ...
) which produced and a 1.7 L '' CDTI Ecotec'' turbodiesel was supplied by Isuzu which produced . This new 1.7 L ''CDTI Ecotec'' featured a variable geometry turbocharger
Variable-geometry turbochargers (VGTs), occasionally known as variable-nozzle turbines (VNTs), are a type of turbochargers, usually designed to allow the effective aspect ratio of the turbocharger to be altered as conditions change. This is done ...
.
The 1.0 L and 1.2 L ''Ecotec'' Family 0 engines are carry overs from the Corsa B; the 1.4 L Family 1
Family 1 is a group of Greek Gospel manuscripts, varying in date from the 12th to the 15th century. The group takes its name from the minuscule codex 1, now in the Basel University Library, Switzerland. "Family 1" is also known as "the Lake Grou ...
engine was replaced with a new 1.4 L Family 0 model. The 1.8 L Family 1 engine is an upgrade for the previous 1.6 L 16 valve engine and produces and of torque. The edition with the 1.8 L engine was named Corsa GSi and was the predecessor of the new Corsa OPC.
In 2003, Opel introduced updated versions of Family 0 engines with TwinPort
In internal combustion engines, a variable-length intake manifold (VLIM),variable intake manifold (VIM), or variable intake system (VIS) is an automobile internal combustion engine manifold technology. As the name implies, VLIM/VIM/VIS can vary ...
technology, and the 1.2 L engine gained 30 cc, giving it .
Corsa D (S07; 2006)
The Corsa D was created using a new version of the SCCS platform
The SCCS platform (Small Common Components and Systems platform), also called Small Platform or 199 platform is an automobile platform originally developed by Fiat for subcompact, front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles. It was first use ...
, which was co-developed by General Motors/Opel and Fiat
Fiat Automobiles S.p.A. (, , ; originally FIAT, it, Fabbrica Italiana Automobili di Torino, lit=Italian Automobiles Factory of Turin) is an Italian automobile manufacturer, formerly part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and since 2021 a subsidiary ...
, and is also employed by the 2005 Fiat Grande Punto
The Fiat Punto is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1993 to 2018, spanning over three generations. The third generation of the car was marketed between 2005 and 2009 as the Grande Punto, and between 2009 ...
. The first official pictures of the Corsa D were released by Opel in May 2006. In the United Kingdom, ''What Car?
''What Car?'' is a British monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Huntingford and published by Haymarket Consumer Media. Other team members include deputy editor Darren Moss and test editors Will Nightingale, Neil ...
'' awarded it 2007 ''Car of the Year Car of the Year (COTY) is a common abbreviation for numerous automotive awards.
The "Car of the Year" phrase is considered to have been introduced by ''Motor Trend'' magazine in 1949 when the new publication named Cadillac as Motor Trend Car of th ...
''. The Corsa D placed second in the European Car of the Year
The European Car of the Year ("ECOTY") award is an international Car of the Year award established in 1964, by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organising companies of the award are ''Auto'' (Ita ...
for 2006, only behind the Ford S-Max
The Ford S-Max (stylized as Ford S-MAX) was a car produced by Ford Europe for the European market. A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), Ford also describes the S-Max as an SAV (sports activity vehicle). Introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the ...
.
The Corsa D is available in both three and five-door versions and marketed as the Vauxhall Corsa in the United Kingdom. The same engines sizes from the Corsa C were available at launch, although the 1.3 L CDTI and 1.7 L CDTI engines were upgraded, with power ranging from to .
The OPC/VXR version went on sale in the beginning of 2007, with a 1.6 L turbocharged
In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (often called a turbo) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to pro ...
petrol engine powering the front wheels.
The 1.3 CDTI engine was updated in the middle of 2007 to bring CO2 levels to just 119 g/km, meaning that twelve months' Vehicle Excise Duty in the United Kingdom costs £30 and is eligible for the Plan 2000E (a rebate of €2000 in the purchase of a new car) in Spain.
The Corsa D was briefly available in Australia under the Opel brand name, rather than as a Holden as the Corsa B and C had previously been, during Opel's short-lived foray into the Australian market. Less than a year after launching, Opel Australia announced it was ceasing operations, removing the Corsa from the Australian market.
The Corsa D was never available in Japan, as Yanase had stopped importing the Opel Vita in April 2004, due to declining sales. Opel withdrew altogether from the Japanese market in December 2006, due to low sales the previous year.
At an early stage of the Corsa D's development in 2004, Dietmar Finger was tasked to design the outer panel for the glove box in the Corsa. Allegedly, his son suggested drawing a shark instead. The designer managed to hide it so well, on the hinge of the glove compartment that it was never removed, and featured on all production models. The custom of having a shark graphic in the interior continued for other Opel cars even after Opel has been taken over by PSA.
File:2006-2014 Opel Corsa D Rear.jpg, Opel Corsa (three-door)
File:Opel Corsa Switzerland rear (cropped).jpg, Opel Corsa (five-door)
File:Opel Corsa D Armaturen.JPG, Dashboard
File:Opel Corsa D OPC front 20100612.jpg, Opel Corsa OPC
File:Opel Corsa D OPC rear.JPG, Rear view
File:Opel Corsa D GSi Lichtsilber.JPG, Opel Corsa GSi
File:2011 Vauxhall Corsa SXi 1.2.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa SXi
File:2007 Vauxhall Corsa VXR Turbo 1.6 Front.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa VXR
Safety
Euro NCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven (Belgium) formed in 1996, with the first results released in February ...
test results for a LHD, three-door hatchback variant on a registration from 2006:
FlexFix
FlexFix is an optional integrated bicycle rack. It is essentially a concealed drawer that can be pulled out from the car's rear bumper
Bumper or Bumpers may refer to:
People
* Betty Bumpers (1925-2018), American activist, First Lady of Arkansas, wife of Dale Bumpers
* Dale Bumpers (1925–2016), American politician, governor of Arkansas and senator
* Bumper Robinson (born 197 ...
. Attached are two-wheel mount bike racks, rear number plate incorporated in the system, brake/tail lights, indicators and fog and reverse light alternates in left-hand drive and right-hand drive cars. It is available as an option on Exclusiv, SE, and SXi models in the United Kingdom.
OPC
In 2007, Opel introduced a sport version of the Corsa tuned by Opel Performance Center (OPC) – Corsa OPC. This Corsa has a 1.6 litre I4 turbo engine with at 5,850 rpm and of torque at 1,980 to 5,850 rpm, with an overboost function which boosts up the torque figure to . The 0 to time is 7.2 seconds and top speed is . Differences from the standard Corsa in the interior are sporty Recaro seats, OPC steering wheel and gear knob and instrument dials with OPC background.
On the exterior, there are different front and rear bumpers with triangle-shaped exhaust, and wind diffusers. There are also OPC tail spoilers and skirts. The car has stiffer and lower suspension than the regular Corsa as well. Standard rims are 17 inches and an optional 18 inches. The Corsa OPC was only available as a three-door version.
OPC Nürburgring Edition
The Opel Performance Center in 2011 launched a hardcore version of the Corsa OPC called the Corsa OPC Nürburgring
The is a 150,000 person capacity motorsports complex located in the town of Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It features a Formula One, Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a long "North loop" track, built in the 1920s, around t ...
Edition. The engine is the same, 1.6 litre turbo, but it has been tuned to punch out and 250 Nm (280 Nm with overboost function) of torque at 2,250 to 5,850 rpm. The 0–100 km/h time is 6.8 seconds and top speed is .
New upgrades include Brembo brake packages, recalibrated ABS, traction stability management system, Remus exhaust, and a mechanical limited slip differential, which in this segment of cars (supermini/B segment), only the MINI Cooper JCW has.
This Corsa comes with a standard 18-inch alloy wheels and low profile tires, lowered suspension, dual tipped stainless steel exhaust, and special Nurburgring badge at B pillars and inside on gear knob and instrument dials. Also included is a new front spoiler, and different rear bumper. This Corsa is available in Henna Red, Grasshopper Green, Graphite Black (available as matte colour), and Casablanca White.
Engines
Petrol engines are Family 0 (1.0–1.4) and Family 1
Family 1 is a group of Greek Gospel manuscripts, varying in date from the 12th to the 15th century. The group takes its name from the minuscule codex 1, now in the Basel University Library, Switzerland. "Family 1" is also known as "the Lake Grou ...
(1.6), and diesel engines are derivative from MultiJet
Multijet is Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' term for its current common rail direct injection turbodiesel engine range. Most of the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia range as well as certain Chrysler, RAM Trucks, Jeep and Maserati vehicles are equipped ...
(1.3) and Circle L (1.7).
Facelift
The Opel Corsa boasted a new petrol and diesel engine line up that fully complies with Euro 5
The European emission standards are vehicle emission standards for pollution from the use of new land surface vehicles sold in the European Union and EEA member states and the UK, and ships in EU waters. The standards are defined in a seri ...
standards. The ride and handling were also improved. Engines were further improved from 2011 as Start/Stop was added to engines, with all engines expecting to get the technology in the future.
Engines with (S/S) are in bold in CO2 column
Hybrid
At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
, Opel unveiled the Opel Corsa Hybrid Concept, a coupe that combines a belt-driven starter and alternator with a lithium-ion battery
A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery which uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. It is the predominant battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It also se ...
.
Facelift
In November 2010, a facelift was announced. A revised front end was the most dramatic difference over its predecessor, consisting of a new grille, a restyled front bumper and new 'Eagle Eye' headlamps (introduced on the Insignia) which contain daytime running lamps, standard across the refreshed Corsa range. (Vauxhall versions gained the latest badge from 2008 on the front grille, tailgate and steering wheel). A new 'Touch and Connect' multimedia system from Bosch was made available as an option on certain Corsas, replacing the CD60 unit. Alloy wheels are upgraded on SXI, SE and OPC/VXR versions. Production ended in the end of 2014, with the Adam
Adam; el, Ἀδάμ, Adám; la, Adam is the name given in Genesis 1-5 to the first human. Beyond its use as the name of the first man, ''adam'' is also used in the Bible as a pronoun, individually as "a human" and in a collective sense as " ...
styled Corsa E released.
File:Opel Corsa 1.4 ecoFLEX Satellite (D, Facelift) – Frontansicht, 31. Juli 2012, Heiligenhaus.jpg, Opel Corsa (three-door)
File:Opel Corsa 1.4 ecoFLEX Satellite (D, Facelift) – Heckansicht, 31. Juli 2012, Heiligenhaus.jpg, Opel Corsa (three-door)
File:2012 Opel Corsa (CO) Enjoy 5-door hatchback (2015-11-11) 02.jpg, Opel Corsa (five-door)
File:Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition.jpg, Opel Corsa ''OPC'' Nürburgring
The is a 150,000 person capacity motorsports complex located in the town of Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It features a Formula One, Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a long "North loop" track, built in the 1920s, around t ...
Edition since 2011
File:Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition Heck.jpg, Rear view
File:2012 Vauxhall Corsa S Ecoflex 1.0 Front.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa
File:2012 Opel Corsa (CO) Enjoy 5-door hatchback (2015-11-11) 01.jpg, 2012_Opel_Corsa
Corsa E (X15; 2014)
The Corsa E debuted at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.
Interior space stayed the same, as did the 285-litre boot, but the interior was completely new. All of the exterior sheet metal (except the roof) was revised, but the underlying chassis and body structure, the glasshouse, as well as some minor parts such as side-view mirrors and turn signal repeaters, were carried over from the Corsa D.
File:2017 Vauxhall Corsa Energy Ecoflex 1.4.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa Mk IV
File:2018 Vauxhall Corsa Energy AC 1.4 Front.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa Mk IV (3-door)
File:2015 Vauxhall Corsa VXR 1.6 Front.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa Mk IV VXR
File:Corsa E Innen.JPG, Interior
File:Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo ecoFLEX Color Edition (E) – Heckansicht, 24. Oktober 2015, Münster.jpg, Opel Corsa E 1.4 Turbo ecoFLEX (rear view)
Safety
The Corsa in its standard European configuration received 4 stars from Euro NCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven (Belgium) formed in 1996, with the first results released in February ...
in 2014.
Corsa OPC/VXR
In February 2015, Opel introduced OPC version of Corsa E. Compared to the previous generation model, power output had increased by 15PS to 207PS (204 bhp) from 1.6 Turbo engine, with a maximum torque of 245 Nm (181 lb-ft) between 1900 and 5800 rpm. An overboost function increased torque to 280Nm (210 lb-ft) when needed. As a result, the Corsa OPC was able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds and to reach a maximum speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).
The Corsa OPC featured a sports chassis with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology, which enabled the damping forces to adapt to the frequency of the car to balance sportiness with comfort. The suspension was lowered by 10mm (0.39 in) compared to standard Corsa models, and the car also received an optimised steering system with more direct and precise reactions. OPC also worked on the brakes, adding 308mm discs on the front axle.
Opel also offered the Corsa OPC Performance Package, which included a mechanical multi-disc differential lock made by Drexler, 18-inch wheels with Michelin tires, and an even more athletic chassis set up. The package also brought a Brembo high-performance braking system with 330mm braking discs on the front axle.
Styling-wise, the Corsa OPC/VXR received more aggressive body kits with new bumpers, aluminium frames for the fog lights, a small scoop in the hood, a big roof spoiler, and twin-pipe Remus exhaust with a diffuser.
Inside, the Recaro performance seats took centre stage, with other upgrades including the flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, OPC gear knob, and sports pedals, as well as OPC design instruments.
Engines
Under the bonnet, all new 1.0-litre three-cylinder ECOTEC engine – the direct-injection turbo offered 90 PS or 115 PS – both giving 170Nm of torque – with a six-speed manual 'box, while a new six-speed auto was optional on selected engines. Start/Stop tech as standard and, in three-door guise, the lower-powered model could hit sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.
The entry-level engine was a 70 PS 1.2-litre petrol, while turbo and non-turbo 1.4s offered 100 PS and 90 PS respectively. The 1.3 CDTI continued with 75PS, now hitting as little as 85g/km CO2 emissions, and was capable of 3,2l/100 km economy. An ecoFLEX version was available from launch, too, with target CO2 emissions of under 85g/km.
Corsa F (2019)
The original project of Corsa F (project code: ''G2J0'') was initially planned to be released in the third quarter of 2017 on a GM platform, the G2XX. However, the G2J0 project was cancelled due to Groupe PSA
The PSA Group (), legally known as Peugeot S.A. (Peugeot Société Anonyme, trading as Groupe PSA; formerly known as PSA Peugeot Citroën from 1991 to 2016) was a French multinational automotive manufacturing company which produced automobiles ...
's acquisition of Opel and Vauxhall, with the cancelled project reaching production in a sedan form as the Buick Excelle
The Buick Excelle () is the common name for the subcompact cars marketed by Shanghai General Motors Company Limited () under GM's Buick brand. It is classified as a compact in china, but by international standards it is a subcompact car.
The ori ...
in China. Development was then restarted after switching to the PSA CMP (EMP1) platform in 2017. The Corsa is thus the first of the Opel/Vauxhall models developed under the PSA ownership.
File:2019 Vauxhall Corsa SE NAV 1.2 Front.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa (pre-facelift)
File:2019 Vauxhall Corsa SE NAV 1.2 Rear.jpg, Rear view (pre-facelift)
File:2019 Vauxhall Corsa SRi 1.2 Interior.jpg, Interior (Vauxhall Corsa; pre-facelift)
Safety
The Corsa in its standard European configuration received 4 stars from Euro NCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven (Belgium) formed in 1996, with the first results released in February ...
in 2019.
Corsa-e
In December 2018, Opel announced the launch of an electric version of the Corsa, called the Corsa-e, which was originally planned to go on sale in 2019, but was delayed into the second quarter of 2020. In the UK, the Corsa-e is sold under the Vauxhall marque. The main competitors to the Corsa-e were expected to be the Nissan Leaf
The , stylized as LEAF, is a Compact car, compact five-door hatchback battery electric vehicle, battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufactured by Nissan. It was introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010, and its second generation w ...
and the Renault Zoe
The Renault Zoe (stylized as ZOE and pronounced as "Zoey"), known as Renault Zoe E-Tech Electric since 2021, is a five-door supermini electric car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. Renault originally unveiled, under the Zoe name, a ...
, as well as its mechanically identical twin, the Peugeot e-208
The Peugeot 208 is a supermini car (B-segment in Europe) produced by the French automaker Peugeot. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012 and positioned below bigger 308 and above smaller 108. The 208 replaced the 207 in 2012, and the ...
.
The Corsa-e has the same drivetrain as the e-208. The electric motor produces and of torque, and a 0– acceleration takes 8.1 seconds. Output is restricted in the Normal ( and and Eco ( and modes.[ Under the WLTP driving cycle, the Corsa-e has an estimated range of using a 50.0 kW-hr battery (gross),][ which is carried in the floor.][ Real-world testing showed the actual efficiency was per kW-hr, yielding a range of considering the 46 kW-hr usable battery capacity.][ Over a six-month test, ''CAR'' observed an efficiency of per kW-hr, slightly less than the claimed per kW-hr.]
Compared to the conventionally-powered Corsa, the Corsa-e is heavier at a kerb weight (for the base model) of ; the center of gravity is lower by for the Corsa-e.[ Boot space shrinks from for the electric version as well.][ Externally, the standard Corsa F is almost identical to the electric version, with the exception of different alloy wheel designs and the lack of exhaust. The interior will include a touchscreen infotainment system with two set-ups available; seven-inch Multimedia Navi system or 10-inch Multimedia Navi Pro (exclusive to the top-level Elite Premium trim).]
Interior styling and controls generally are simpler than the e-208.[ In the UK, the Corsa-e is sold in four trim levels (from base Griffin through SE Premium, SRi Premium, and Elite Premium).][ Starting price was , which was reduced to with applied government grants.][
File:2020 Vauxhall Corsa-e Elite NAV.jpg, Vauxhall Corsa-e (pre-facelift)
File:Opel Corsa-e IMG 3329.jpg, Opel Corsa-e (pre-facelift)
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Powertrain
The Corsa F supermini marks the arrival of new petrol and diesel engines as well as an all-electric Corsa-e into the range. Two petrol engines and one diesel engine are available, starting with the 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 75 bhp and comes with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. Sitting above is a three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo PureTech engine which is shared with Peugeot and Citroen models and produces 99 bhp and 205 Nm of torque. It comes with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox option. The diesel engine is a BlueHDi 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel, producing 99 bhp and 250 Nm of torque.
Weight of the car is also improved, with lightweight underpinnings, redesigned bodyshell and new aluminium engines which Opel claims 10 percent of kerb weight have been reduced across the range and will have a good balance between sportiness and comfort. The body is constructed from a range of high-strength steels, saving a total of 40 kg over the seventh-generation model. A new aluminium bonnet will also replace the previous generation's steel unit, saving a further 2.4 kg. However, the Corsa is slightly larger than its predecessor, with a larger body and longer wheelbase to allocate more interior and boot space.
Opel's latest range of aluminium three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are projected to save around 15 kg over the predecessor four-cylinder units. 10 kg has been reduced off the seats, losing 5.5 kg at the front and 4.5 kg at the rear, totalling around 108 kg of weight reduction.
In June 2019 it was revealed that first deliveries were scheduled to start in April 2020, while the pure-electric model was planned to follow at a time that has not yet been announced.
Recalls
On 11 May 2020, Opel recalled Corsas manufactured between 25 September and 30 December 2019 because the steering column was not manufactured according to the specifications, causing steering failure and leading to the car losing control, increasing the risk of an accident.
On 6 November 2020, Opel Corsas manufactured between 18 March 2019 and 14 February 2020 were recalled due to the high-pressure pump not being tightened to the engine with correct torque, causing a potential fuel leak.
Corsa Van
The Corsa Van was a car derived van based on the corresponding generation of the Corsa superminis that was produced from 1983 to 2018. It first appeared in 1983, and was unchanged from the regular car, aside from the panelled rear windows (optional, glazed models were also available) and the missing rear seat. This was replaced by a flat metal loading floor. Payload of the original Corsa A is and the entire range of engines was available, at first.
It was usually marketed under the names used in various countries, such as Corsa Lieferwagen (Germany), Bestelwagen (Dutch), or Fourgonnette (French). The Vauxhall version is called the "Corsavan" since 1994, linking it to the earlier Astravan model. Earlier models were called Vauxhall Novavan in the United Kingdom.
Corsa Van variants of later generation Corsas have also been sold under the Opel/Vauxhall brand. It was discontinued in 2018.
File:Corsa VN 3.JPG, Opel Corsa Van based on third generation (Corsa C)
File:Corsa VN 4.JPG, Opel Corsa Van based on fourth generation (Corsa D)
File:2016 Vauxhall Corsavan Sportive CDTi 1.2.jpg, Vauxhall Corsavan based on the fifth-generation (Corsa E)
Popularity
From the first Corsa being sold in the United Kingdom on 2 April 1993, sales had reached 1,371,573 within sixteen years of its launch, by which time the Corsa was in its third generation.
As of 2018, the Vauxhall Corsa was the third most popular car in the United Kingdom, with 1,205,158 taxed and on the road with another 39,286 declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
In 2021, the Vauxhall Corsa grabbed the top spot for the most popular car of the year having had more new cars registered than any other in the UK throughout 2021. The Corsa managed to achieve 40,914 new registrations throughout the year, beating second place by over 6,000 registrations. This meant that the Ford Fiesta was finally beaten after holding the mantle of most popular car for 12 successive years. In fact, the Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a supermini car marketed by Ford since 1976 over seven generations. Over the years, the Fiesta has mainly been developed and manufactured by Ford's European operations, and has been positioned below the Escort (later the ...
didn't even achieve a top 10 finish after being heavily affected by a strenuous year of chip shortages which is estimated to be its downfall.
Notes
References
External links
Opel Corsa on Opel Media Site
Official international Opel Corsa website
Vauxhall UK)
Opel Corsa Blueprints
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