Normally a facelift is visible - not so with the latest Opel Corsa!
Opel has revised the fourth generation of its supermini with a new engine range and some suspension and steering modifications, leaving the good-looking exterior alone.
Since Corsa was first launched in 1982 over 11m have been sold, making the little Opel one of the most successful cars in its class. Recently DEKRA, the independent German vehicle testing outfit, rated the Corsa Number One out of 15m cars it has tested. So, we know it is a good car, but can this 'mid-life cycle' facelift help it overhaul the Ford Fiesta or VW Polo as the best in class?
Motors flew to Germany for a day's testing last week. The three and five-door Corsa is a good looking machine, so while Opel has saved a fortune by not changing the exterior, it is a gamble that I believe pays off. Corsa is a chunky and friendly-looking machine that is easy to like. Fiesta and Polo may now offer more interior space but Corsa's cabin is still a nice enough place to be. There are some changes inside, with a new light switch and some less-reflecting materials used around the dash.
The changes under the 'skin' answer criticism from some quarters about the car's steering, particularly its feel. There is now a reduced friction rack used and the steering software has been revised to give better feedback following manoeuvres. Front and rear dampers (shocks) and spring rates have been revised also. Torsion is now 20% stiffer at the rear. I drove the full range of vehicles (bar the 1-litre) and was happy overall. This is not a sports car or even a hot hatch, but even on the obligatory 'Winter' tyres the new Corza was assured on the road.
The new engines come in petrol and diesel versions. Overall, there is more power and torque, with better fuel consumption (up to a 13% improvement) and of course lower CO2. In Ireland petrol is still the dominant seller when it comes to small, compact cars. I drove the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol versions, both of which are now Euro 5 compliant - meaning they're very green and ultra modern. Both had five-speed gearboxes. The 100bhp 1.4 was nippy enough but really needed a sixth gear for relaxed motorway use. The 85bhp 1.2 is the best offering despite less power. The 1.2 just works well and is well suited to town driving.
I also drove the 1.3 and 1.7 CDTi diesels. The 1.7 turbo diesel has buckets of power (130bhp/300nm) but its relatively high price means it is unlikely to be imported to Ireland officially. The 95bhp 1.3 CDTi 'Ecoflex' is the Corsa's perfect match. It is as green as Trevor Sergeant and benefits from a new turbo that helps deliver 27% more power while sipping fuel. The 1.3 diesel will average 3.7 L/100km! The really impressive thing is the 'Ecoflex' does these figures without an engine stop/start system (where a car's engine turns off automatically when stationary and restarts moving off).
Are the revisions enough to jump Polo or Fiesta? No, but Corsa is definitely a car to consider.
Michael Sheridan
