After its spectacular world premiere in London, the fourth generation of the popular Opel Corsa now takes to the road. With the newcomer, Opel remains true to its role as a trendsetter. Based on the successful example of the Astra and Astra GTC, the distinctively different coupé-like three-door and family-friendly five-door Corsa models are tailor-made for different types of customers. Since 1982, over 9.4 million units of the predecessor models have been sold in Europe. The new Corsa will again be produced in Zaragoza (Spain) and Eisenach (Germany). Both the three- and five-door versions will be available at dealerships in October 2006 and are expected to again reach top sales figures.
The new Corsa has everything it needs to get there: exciting design with sporty, athletic contours, a newly-developed chassis for safe and agile cornering, a new high-quality interior with plenty of space and feel-good ambiance, as well as high-tech features new to this class such as a heated steering wheel and curve light. The integrated carrier system "Flex-Fix" makes its world premiere on a production car, and the Corsa Sport newly-developed high-tech variable progressive power steering is new in the segment.
Its response is already very direct during straight-ahead driving and increases up to a steering-wheel angle of 90 degrees, which is reminiscent of a sports car's steering precision. The feedback curve enables the response ratio to increase again at greater steering-wheel angles, reducing the effort needed for maneuvering.
The three-door Corsa's body is stretched tautly over its technology like a muscle shirt on a bodybuilder, with athletic contours, muscular shoulders and a coupé-like roof line. This look is emphasized by the side-window graphics reminiscent of the Astra GTC, forming a large, stretched arch from the A-pillar to the rear. Pronounced fenders over the rear wheels highlight the Corsa's powerful, sporty stance. The three-door Corsa only shares the five-door's front fenders, bumper, headlamps, hood and A-pillar.
In the family-friendly five-door model, the long roof line and generous window surfaces indicate additional headroom and visibility for the rear passengers. The side window line resembles that of the five-door Astra, but has a different C-pillar transition to the rear window that gives it its completely unique look.
While both body versions have the same length and height (3999 / 1488 mm), there is a small difference in their width (3-door: 1713 mm, 5-door: 1737 mm). Thanks to the long wheelbase (2511 mm) and wide track (front / rear: 1485 / 1478 mm), both Corsa versions have distinctively sporty proportions. The up to 17-inch wheels are placed at the body corners leaving a very short rear overhang. The designers successfully created a well-proportioned car while maintaining a compact base area. This is enhanced by the front overhang, which has a remarkably short appearance despite elaborate measures for pedestrian protection.
The stylish interior design with high-quality materials and clever new features creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Turn buttons for climate control, radio and lighting are backlit. Piano-lacquer finish used in selected equipment variants on the center console with a matching finish on the steering wheel spokes and air-conditioning vent rings is of a much higher quality than normal in this class. Numerous large and small storage compartments offer plenty of space for stowing all kinds of items.
Distinctive cars for different buyers
Opel aims to return to the top of the small car segment, which is the second largest in Europe with over 20 percent of all passenger car sales. Customers can already look forward to highest-quality equipment lines that also convey driving fun with colors and exclusive finishes.
For instance, the Edition equipment: The fresh colors of the seat upholstery and door panels harmonize perfectly with the instrument panel's colored surface in subtle grey, exciting red or elegant blue. Be it the entry-level Corsa, Edition, Sport or Cosmo, the Corsa range has the perfect combination for every taste and budget. The newcomer can be further individualized thanks to special equipment packages, innovative options and many features that customers can choose from according to their tastes and preferences.
Exclusive sportiness
The Corsa Sport holds a special position in the model range. For maximum agility, it boasts exclusive power steering with variable-progressive feedback curve for the first time. The sports chassis is lowered by 18 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear, while the closer gear ratios add an extra burst of acceleration. In addition, the Corsa Sport interior features high-quality elements including a matte-chrome console and perforated
leather-trimmed steering wheel. Its exterior boasts details such as dark-tinted headlamps, 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 R 16 tires, and a chrome sports exhaust pipe.
Individual settings saved on car key
Be it modern or classical: whatever their musical tastes, the new Opel Corsa can easily memorize each driver's favorite radio station. And that's just one example of how the newcomer can be personalized. Up to five different drivers can save their individual settings for the infotainment system, electronic climate control, and on-board electronics and activate them via the car key. New comfort options also ensure that Corsa passengers feel right at home.
These include a power panorama sunroof that also lets in plenty of light when it is closed, and for the colder months a heated steering wheel - new in this class - as well as optional Quickheat, which warms the interior air stream via electric heating elements after a cold start until engine water circulation can warm the passenger compartment.
Opel again leads the way in flexible innovations
The Corsa is an all-rounder, be it for leisure, sport or family use, and is always a star performer. Thanks to its clever innovations, it can adapt to and meet the transport and comfort needs of its owners far better than most other vehicles. One of these innovations is the novel flexible integrated rear carrier system "Flex-Fix". It stows away almost invisibly into the rear bumper, can easily be pulled out as needed and carry up to two bicycles. In typical Opel style - like the Zafira's "Flex7" multivariable seating system - the integrated carrier system "Flex-Fix" also provides full on-board functionality, eliminating the need for cumbersome assembly, dismantling or storage of parts.
Other practical features include the height-adjustable "DualFloor" and luggage compartment cover which can be easily stowed away. The stable cargo floor can be set in two height positions, allowing horizontal partitioning of the luggage compartment as well as a flat load floor to the front seat backs when the rear seat backs are folded forward and load floor is in the higher position. The higher position also facilitates loading and unloading. Storage volume up to the luggage compartment cover, which can be stored vertically behind the rear seats, is 285 liters, and 300 liters to the top of the rear seat back. If the 60:40-split rear seat back is folded down, storage volume increases to 700 liters and to a considerable 1100 liters if the car is loaded to the roof. The rear seat backs can also be inclined by 7.5 degrees, which provides exactly the few centimeters of space that are often missing to fit in a bulky piece of luggage, such as a folded-up stroller.
Low consumption gasoline engines, powerful and efficient diesel units
At its market launch, the Corsa is available with three gasoline and two common-rail turbo-diesel engines, which all feature ECOTEC four-valve technology. They cover an output range of 60 to 90 hp. Soon after the start of sales, a new 125 hp, 1.7 CDTI with diesel particulate filter as standard will follow as the interim top-of-the-line unit.
At 2300 rpm, this engine produces 280 Nm of torque, giving the Corsa impressive propulsion power.
Low fuel consumption is also a trademark of modern Opel diesels. The new Corsa with the 90 hp, 1.3 CDTI engine needs only 4.6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (MVEG mix test cycle). Modern technology such as the TWINPORT system also ensures higher fuel efficiency in gasoline engines. The 1.2-liter, 80 hp Corsa with Easytronic needs only 5.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (MVEG-mix test cycle).
In addition to the five and six-speed transmissions (combined with the two more powerful diesel engines), and the automated Easytronic manual gearbox (option for the 1.2-liter gasoline unit), the Corsa 1.4 is also available with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Newly-developed chassis for dynamics with high reserves
Excellent driving dynamics, outstanding handling - it is that easy to describe the goal Opel/GM engineers set when designing the fourth-generation Corsa. Thanks to a completely new architecture, they were able to create the best conditions for this right from the start. In addition to the stiffer body, the Corsa features a new short front subframe, allowing for optimum chassis geometry, and a torsion-beam rear axle with three roll-rate levels. Depending on the engine, these provide an ideal alignment to the different front axle loads.
The newest generation of ABS and ESP systems boasts additional functions. The Corsa's standard ABS system features electronic brake force distribution, Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Straight-Line Stability control (SLS). The ESP system, which brakes up to four wheels individually when required, was tuned so that it firstly gives complete control to the driver, even at very high cornering speeds, and only progressively applies when there is danger of losing safe control of the car.
The engineers also focused on enhancing the steering system for the new Corsa, giving it a considerably stiffer steering column with height and reach-adjustable steering wheel and higher performance, speed-dependent Electric Power Steering (EPS). The power assistance was increased to 40 to 55 Nm (depending on the engine) to further reduce the steering effort necessary for example when parking. All Corsas with engines from 1.3 liters feature steering with variable feedback curve. The Corsa Sport also offers a segment first: newly-developed steering with variable progressive feedback curve. At 13:1, the system already delivers a direct response during straight-ahead driving. As the steering-wheel angle increases, steering becomes even more direct - 12:1 at 90 degrees - creating a sports car feeling. Variable progression ensures that the response ratio again increases at greater steering angles to enable easy maneuvering and parking.
SAFETEC, the comprehensive safety system
Opel has an integral approach to safety. All active and passive safety systems that contribute to reducing dangers when driving are categorized under one heading: SAFETEC. This includes assisting the driver with innovative features such as Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), avoiding accidents thanks to advanced chassis and highly-developed support functions such as ABS and ESP, reducing the effects of an accident with extensive restraint systems, and protecting other road-users with features such as adaptive brake lights.
In the event of an accident, Corsa passengers are protected by optimized crash zones and restraint systems specifically adjusted for these zones, including two two-stage front airbags, side airbags for driver and front passenger, and - from Edition - head curtain airbags which deploy like curtains to cover the entire length of the interior. The front passenger airbag can easily be deactivated by a button on the instrument panel.
Not just the occupants, but also pedestrians are protected by a range of up-to-date safety measures. Features include a special low-density foam material in front of the bumper crossmember to lessen the intensity of lower-body impact, and a stiffening of the bumper's lower section spreads out the load over a larger area, thus limiting force to the knees. The material of the hood, which was especially designed for efficient energy absorption, reduces the severity of head impacts, and the generous space between the hood and the engine provides adequate deformation distance. The fenders' slotted fittings also deform on impact.
A first in the Corsa class, optional curve and cornering light is a real benefit for active safety. The Corsa's AFL system is combined with halogen light to keep the price as moderate as possible while retaining all functions. The dynamic curve light reacts to the steering angle and speed of the car, turning the high or low beam headlamps up to 15 degrees outward and eight degrees inward. At speeds below 40 km/h, static cornering light is activated. Depending on turn signal and steering wheel position, the headlamps illuminate intersections and garage driveways.
Other lighting innovations in the Corsa include automatic lighting control and adaptive brake lights, a system which warns following drivers by blinking all three brake lights five times per second in case of ABS braking. If airbags or belt tensioners are activated, the hazard warning lights are automatically switched on.
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