Opel Corsa | Test Drive

15 March 2021 Redazione News, Tested

Words by Carlo Brema / Photos by Bartolomeo Lazzarini

The pleasant bits tasted with the new Peugeot 208 are now entrusted to the new generation Opel Corsa, the sixth now aptly called F. Inheriting the characteristics that made the little French none other than the 2020 car of the year, the German renews its look with squarer lines than the previous series, while maintaining overall sizes that are particularly suitable for the urban environment, especially now that segment A city cars are going to disappear soon. 4.6 meters long, 1.7 meters wide and space on board for five people, available only as a five doors with traditional handles also for those at the back, underlining how Opel always tends to prefer the more sober side of the automotive world. And despite the infinite supply of ADAS devices useful for active and passive safety, the new Corsa even loses a few kilos, stopping the scale under a ton if fitted with manual transmission and barely touching 1,090 kg if you go for the 8-speed automatic transmission, like that of our test.

Available as petrol, diesel or full electric – the latter with an estimated range of 330 km – we got our hands on the 1.2 Turbo petrol, the ideal choice for those who want to limit fuel consumption, without giving up the panache of the 100-hp 3-cylinder, at the same time not having to compromise in terms of mileage calculations caused by the electric variant, mainly indicated for city use. Although it flaunts the fact that it is Turbo, it is not a sports version, but the pairing of the small engine with the automatic gearbox already widely appreciated on the Peugeot cousins works really well, making you forget that you are sitting on one of the cheapest hatchbacks available on the market.

With prices starting at just over € 20,000 for the Turbo like the one you see here, from just € 15,000 for the entry level 1.2 petrol and € 18,000 for the 1.5 diesel version, the Corsa represents a small 5-doors with reduced dimensions, which however it maintains solidity and practicality even in the passenger compartment. There is some slightly rigid plastic and the fabric seats won’t be the end of the world, but it is the way you drive the car that allows it to settle on par with the competition, offering a complete package in a price range where the others are just starting to add options that should not be given up. In this very case, you can have a touch display – for infotainment and satellite navigation – which reaches 10 inches. Another good point to the little one.

What convinces me most – I repeat – is the elasticity of the engine, which with 250 Nm of torque available at 1,750 rpm allows the 8-speed gearbox to manage the ideal revs range in perfect autonomy, also depending on the driving mode that you will prefer managing the selector located on the central tunnel. The latter significantly changes the main feedbacks of the car, while still maintaining the handling and dynamics familiar to Corsa’s owners and so addressed for a complete use that reflects the sobriety of a model that is proposed as an alternative to the Peugeot 208, VW Polo and Renault Clio, just to name a few.

Let’s move to fuel consumption, a fundamental aspect for cars of this type. The new Corsa 1.2 Turbo proves to be interesting here as well, with an average value in the mixed cycle of 4.3 / 4.4 liters per 100 km, figures that obviously also depend a lot on the kind of road and the way in which the driver will go through it. In fact, although the weight is reduced to the bone and the 3-cylinder proves to be a baby beauty, overtaking situations mean you’ll have to push more decisively and this will lead to a logical increase in fuel request from the engine. At the same time it proves incredibly economical in the city (5.1 l / 100 km), but the small size of the tank (44 liters) may make you believe it is drinking more than it’s actually doing.

After just a couple of days of my canonical two weeks of testing, the new Corsa has confirmed that the joint-venture of the PSA group is also and above all benefiting Opel, which needed to update its lineup both in terms of mechanics and aesthetic. With a cockpit that is only partially updated, we still find some of the previous characteristic traits of the German brand typical design, but what matter – chassis, engine, gearbox and since we are here also the multimedia side – come with no more tweaks needed so far. A small but roomy hatchback for people and luggage, but above all within the reach of all budgets, offering everything you might want in this specific segment, without compromise, without unnecessary quirks and with the design solidity that made the step-sister 208 the absolute reference point.

OPEL CORSA

Engine 3 cylinder, 1.199 cc Power 100 hp @ 5.500 rpm Torque 205 Nm @ 1.750 rpm

Traction Front wheel drive Transmission 8-speed automatic gearbox Weight 1.090 kg

0-100 kph 10,8 sec Top Speed 188 kph Price from €20.250 (as tested)