New generation Opel Corsa

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Third generation Opel Corsa
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Click for larger images

Rüsselsheim - The third generation of the most popular small car in the world enters the European market this fall. The all-new Opel Corsa is more grown-up and more spacious, but is still recognizable as the successor of its best-selling predecessor.

The appearance of the new model - an evolution of typical Corsa styling cues accentuated by Opel's new technically oriented form language of crisp lines and taut surfaces - immediately conveys what the designers were seeking to accomplish; the Corsa was to remain a Corsa, but become more mature. The three and five-door models now look as if they come out of the same mold, with the identical design of the rear-end. The tail-lights located high in the tailgate blend harmoniously with the rear window, forming a bold new styling element. The taillamp and side window shapes combine to give a massive feeling to the upper of the car, especially on the three door model.

The body picks up some influences from the Astra range, with a sharply defined bodyside shoulder, and A-pillars blending smoothly into the hood form. Also of note is the semi-wrapover hood. The face of the car appears more agressive and dynamic, with more sharply defined lamps and grille graphics.

Offering significantly more interior space, especially shoulder-room, the new model features the longest wheelbase (2491 millimeters) in its class. The wide track (front: 1429 mm; rear: 1420 mm) not only gives the new Corsa a more athletic look, it also enables the new model to offer 80 mm more shoulder-room than its predecessor.

The Corsa's comprehensive safety equipment includes front and side airbags for driver and passenger, lap-and-shoulder belts for all five occupants (with belt tensioners and force limiters in the front), Active Head Restraints on the front seats and Opel's patented Pedal Release System. Also new is an intelligent airbag system with occupant detection for the front passenger seat. There are Isofix anchor points for two child seats at the rear of the car and curtain airbags will raise the safety standard higher still when they become available in 2001.

In addition to five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions, Opel is also offering for the first time with the Corsa an advanced alternative called "Easytronic"; this new development combines the advantages of a five-speed manual gearbox with an automatic transmission and enables the driver to choose either the comfort of a very fuel efficient automatic or the sportier character of an automatically shifted manual transmission, according to road or traffic conditions. With this fun, convenient transmission the Corsa 1.2 16V even consumes slightly less fuel than with a standard manual gearbox.

Further improvements have been made to the Corsa's traditionally modest fuel consumption. This is partly the result of the body's aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.32, which is very low for a car in this class. Additional contributions are made by the latest developments of the ECOTEC gasoline engines, which are not only more economical, but also already comply with the strict Euro IV emissions standard.

The new Corsa's DSA (Dynamic Safety) chassis provides safe, dynamic driving and excellent road-holding. The powertrain and front suspension is decoupled from the body via a closed subframe, benefiting refinement as well as acoustics. The choice of advanced infotainment systems sets the same high standard as the chassis' class-leading ride and handling; the range-topping NCDC 2015 unit features a high-end audio system with an integrated four-disc CD-changer, a state-of-the-art navigation system and a GSM telephone.

The current Corsa, which is sold in about 80 countries, is one of the most successful models in Opel's history. It is manufactured in 11 plants on five continents, in nine body styles. Since production began in 1993, around six million units based on the vehicle architecture of the second-generation best-seller have rolled off the assembly lines.

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Copyright © 2000 Car Design News, Inc.
Last updated: Mon, Oct 2, 2000

.	.	Third generation Opel Corsa	.
.	Click for larger images	Rüsselsheim - The third generation of the most popular small car in the world enters the European market this fall. The all-new Opel Corsa is more grown-up and more spacious, but is still recognizable as the successor of its best-selling predecessor. The appearance of the new model - an evolution of typical Corsa styling cues accentuated by Opel's new technically oriented form language of crisp lines and taut surfaces - immediately conveys what the designers were seeking to accomplish; the Corsa was to remain a Corsa, but become more mature. The three and five-door models now look as if they come out of the same mold, with the identical design of the rear-end. The tail-lights located high in the tailgate blend harmoniously with the rear window, forming a bold new styling element. The taillamp and side window shapes combine to give a massive feeling to the upper of the car, especially on the three door model. The body picks up some influences from the Astra range, with a sharply defined bodyside shoulder, and A-pillars blending smoothly into the hood form. Also of note is the semi-wrapover hood. The face of the car appears more agressive and dynamic, with more sharply defined lamps and grille graphics. Offering significantly more interior space, especially shoulder-room, the new model features the longest wheelbase (2491 millimeters) in its class. The wide track (front: 1429 mm; rear: 1420 mm) not only gives the new Corsa a more athletic look, it also enables the new model to offer 80 mm more shoulder-room than its predecessor. The Corsa's comprehensive safety equipment includes front and side airbags for driver and passenger, lap-and-shoulder belts for all five occupants (with belt tensioners and force limiters in the front), Active Head Restraints on the front seats and Opel's patented Pedal Release System. Also new is an intelligent airbag system with occupant detection for the front passenger seat. There are Isofix anchor points for two child seats at the rear of the car and curtain airbags will raise the safety standard higher still when they become available in 2001. In addition to five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions, Opel is also offering for the first time with the Corsa an advanced alternative called "Easytronic"; this new development combines the advantages of a five-speed manual gearbox with an automatic transmission and enables the driver to choose either the comfort of a very fuel efficient automatic or the sportier character of an automatically shifted manual transmission, according to road or traffic conditions. With this fun, convenient transmission the Corsa 1.2 16V even consumes slightly less fuel than with a standard manual gearbox. Further improvements have been made to the Corsa's traditionally modest fuel consumption. This is partly the result of the body's aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.32, which is very low for a car in this class. Additional contributions are made by the latest developments of the ECOTEC gasoline engines, which are not only more economical, but also already comply with the strict Euro IV emissions standard. The new Corsa's DSA (Dynamic Safety) chassis provides safe, dynamic driving and excellent road-holding. The powertrain and front suspension is decoupled from the body via a closed subframe, benefiting refinement as well as acoustics. The choice of advanced infotainment systems sets the same high standard as the chassis' class-leading ride and handling; the range-topping NCDC 2015 unit features a high-end audio system with an integrated four-disc CD-changer, a state-of-the-art navigation system and a GSM telephone. The current Corsa, which is sold in about 80 countries, is one of the most successful models in Opel's history. It is manufactured in 11 plants on five continents, in nine body styles. Since production began in 1993, around six million units based on the vehicle architecture of the second-generation best-seller have rolled off the assembly lines.	.