The bigger and better-specced next generation Opel Corsa has been launched in South Africa and comprises nine models - in five-door hatch and four-door saloon variants.The bigger and better-specced next generation Opel Corsa has been launched in South Africa and comprises nine models - in five-door hatch and four-door saloon variants.

The new Corsa is more spacious than its predecessor and, according to Delta, has the longest wheelbase in its class.

The hatch derivatives offer 1,4, 1,6, and 1,8-litre powerplants. The Corsa Classic 4-door notch range, which was developed by GM Brazil for markets outside of Europe, also offers a 1,7-litre turbodiesel variant.

The new Corsa has been totally re-designed to offer a significant improvement in every area over the model it replaces,” said John Sadler, Chief Engineer at Delta Motor Corporation’s Product Engineering Division.

“The car has been subjected to a 100 000 km accelerated durability test and computerised ‘four-post shaker’ simulation programme to highlight potential problems,” Sadler added. “We have implemented numerous detail changes and identified and eliminated areas likely to cause problems. These could be as simple as identifying the potential source of a rattle or squeak, or proving that hang-ons, such as the exhaust system and cooling system, are fully compatible with local conditions.

“We’ve developed three levels of suspension settings from the available Opel range of settings, that are applied according to model. The Corsa Classic 1.7 DTi Elegance and the 1,8 GSi Hatch each have unique settings, while the rest of the models share a common suspension set up.

According to Ian Nicholls, Delta’s director of sales and marketing, Opel’s engineering brief for the new Corsa was to produce a benchmark small car that features “luxury and safety equipment normally associated with larger vehicles”. But, at the same token, the new Corsa’s running costs (fuel economy, maintenance costs, and damage repair costs) had to be minimised.

The new Corsa has a drag coefficient of 0,32 cd - with six per cent less wind resistance than its predecessor. A 15 000 kilometre service interval is standard on all models, including the diesel (no intermediate oil change is required). Repairs are simplified through the use of ‘bolt-on’ components.

With the exception of the base model 1,4 Hatch, all new Corsas offer airbag protection for the driver “and in most cases for the front seat passenger as well,” Nicholls said. A vehicle security system with passive immobiliser is standard across the range.

The range consists of five hatch (all 5-door) and four notch (4-door) models. The five-door range consists of 1,4i, 1,4 Comfort, 1,6 Elegance, 1,6 Sport, and 1,8 GSi models.

The basic Corsa 1,4 is powered by a 1 398 cm3 fuel injected engine that produces 66 kW at 6 200 r/min and 115 N.m torque at 3 200 r/min. Delta claims a fuel consumption of 6,8 litres/100km at 100 km/h.

Electric power steering is standard as is pre-installed wiring for a cell phone. The instrument cluster includes a rev counter and a headlight-on warning buzzer is provided. Seat coverings are Jacquard cloth. Windows are tinted and the laminated front windscreen has a shade band across the top. Wheels are 14’’ steel fitted with 175/65/TR14 tyres.

The Corsa 1,4 Comfort specification adds: Remote central locking, including the fuel filler, driver’s side airbag, a convenience light for the luggage compartment, and a triple information display for external temperature, date and time. Engine, wheel and tyre specifications are as for the base model 1,4.

Delta offers two 1,6-litre Corsa models: The 1,6 Elegance and the 1,6 Sport. Both are powered by a 1598 cm3 fuel injected engine that produces 75 kW at 5 800 r/min and 139 N.m torque at 3 200 r/min. Fuel consumption as measured by Delta is seven litres/100km at a steady 100 km/h.

The Elegance level adds: Power windows, driver and passenger airbags, air conditioning, radio/CD combination with four speakers, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, and a roof-mounted bee-sting antenna. Rear head restraints are provided and black leather trim is optional.

For the Corsa 1,6 Sport, front fog lamps are added as are body colour side mirrors. Instrumentation form this level up is black on white and wheels are 5,5J/14 alloys fitted with 175/65/TR14 tyres.

The top of the range hatch, the Corsa 1,8 GSi, adds: ABS, heated, body-coloured power remote side mirrors, sports suspension package, matt chrome finish for interior door handles, gear knob and hand brake lever, tiltable steering and a radio/tape/4-CD changer and phone system with six speakers. Seat trim is cloth with leather bolsters matched with a leather-covered steering wheel. Wheels are 7-spoke alloy 6J/15 fitted with 195/50/VR15 tyres.

The GSi has a 1 796 cm3 engine which produces 79 kW at 5 400 r/min and 160 N.m at 2 600 r/min. Fuel consumption at a steady 100 km/h is 7,1 litres per 100km, Delta claims.

The Corsa Classic 4-door range offers a choice of four models, the 1,4 Comfort, 1,6 Elegance, 1.7 DTi Elegance and the 1,8 Executive.

The Corsa Classic 1,4 Comfort specification includes: Remote central locking, including the fuel filler, driver’s

Original article from Car