Test drive Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTI: A bit, but cool
Test Drive

Test drive Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTI: A bit, but cool

Test drive Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTI: A bit, but cool

Opel representative in small class behaves like a big car

In its 32 years, Corsa has undergone various stylistic transformations in search of a taste of its time. If the lines of Erhard Schnell's Corsa A converged at sharp angles with sporty lines, and even the extended carved fenders, borrowed from cars, emphasized this spirit, its successor, the Corsa B, not only gave way to the impulses of the 90s for smoother forms. , but also strongly fluctuates towards the female part of the population. With the Corsa C, Opel aimed for a more neutral appearance, while the subsequent D retained its proportions but became more expressive. And here we have the new Corsa E, which should respond to the rush of time and continue the popularity of a model already sold in the amount of 12,5 million units. It is impossible not to find in the silhouette of the car the features of its predecessor, from which the new model inherited the basic architecture. Opel's engineers have obviously been tasked with minimizing costs by retooling production lines and sticking to established production patterns, but it's undeniable that they've gone to great lengths to create a cost-effective, but also much better machine. If we are going to use the standard definition of a car platform, including chassis, we must accept the fact that the new Corsa does not use the platform of its predecessor, but if we want to be objective, we will note that its basic design is retained. The new style has some of Adam's looks, but Mark Adams' team has definitely managed to give the model enough independence. The Corsa definitely has the allure needed for a car in this segment, with its kiss-oriented lips and big expressive eyes, as well as its sexy buttocks. However, this creature is still a car - and it is far superior in its automotive qualities to its predecessor.

Quiet motor and comfortable behavior

The test car is a slightly odd combination of dynamic coupé styling and the practicality of a diesel engine. The roofline silhouette may seem spectacular, but it comes at a price - rear seats and rear view are definitely not this model's strong points. If we do not dwell on them for a long time, but start, maybe for a while we will wonder what kind of engine is under the hood. The diesel engine sounds much quieter than expected, and the engineers have really done a great job of reducing the noise generated by the completely redesigned engine - at all speeds it is much quieter than its predecessor. The test car has 95 hp, but the selection includes a 75 hp version. - in both cases with a five-speed gearbox. It is possible to order a more powerful version of a motorcycle with a six-speed gearbox, which is paradoxically cheaper in Bulgaria. It's also odd that the manufacturer's specification of a six-speed transmission has more fuel consumption, slower 100 mph acceleration, and a lower top speed...

Perhaps this is due to the choice of gear ratios of the five-speed transmission - in fact, our 95 hp diesel Corsa. 180th gear is rarely needed. The heel is long enough to ensure quietness in the car and at (in Germany) 95 km/h on the highway, helped not only by the engine but also by the new chassis design. And one more thing for which the engineers can be praised - the power is at least 190 hp. on paper, it looks quite modest, and the torque of 3,3 Nm does not promise spontaneous power surges, in fact, the engine provides a pleasant movement and dynamics that cannot be classified as weak and sufficient in city traffic. If driving is more modest, then the real reward comes at the gas station - it is true that the combined consumption of 4,0 liters prescribed by the manufacturer is unlikely to be achieved in all conditions, but it is also true that with economical driving for many kilometers it is possible to maintain an average level of 100 liters per 5,2 km (the consumption in the test was 100 l / XNUMX km, but this also includes high-speed driving). The facts definitively refute the myth that diesel has no future in small cars. The situation is not so clear with the Intellilink infotainment system, with a center monitor that doubles as a radio and can play smartphone apps such as navigation. However, young people will like it more, and older people can order a regular radio.

Excellent quality and solid interior

The interior itself is made clean, using quality materials and, together with the control of functions, is on par with the larger models of the brand. The small Opel's big advantage over its competitors is its arsenal of auxiliary systems, most of which receive information from the front camera built into the interior mirror. These include forward collision warning systems for unintentional departure out of the lane, as well as road sign recognition. Added to this are other useful features such as parking assist and vehicle blind spot warnings. All of this works cleanly and flawlessly, and this is another reason why passengers can feel like in a big car.

The latter is true to the maximum extent for the chassis. Thanks to a completely new design, the suspension is perfectly developed in tests and is able to smooth out bumps, which is especially important for our roads, a pleasant steering feel and reliable maintenance of a given trajectory. Of course, the small Corsa cannot be compared in terms of comfort to the large Insignia, but still in tuning and geometry, the engineers have reached an almost perfect balance between what is needed for comfort and dynamics. Only in the test with the maximum load (475 kg) does the Corsa admit some disadvantages when passing larger bumps.

EVALUATION

Body+ Robust construction, plenty of space for passengers in the first row of seats, compact external dimensions

– Limited visibility from the driver's seat, which makes it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, high dead weight, small space in the second row of seats, relatively small trunk

Comfort

+ Excellent front seats, pleasant ride comfort, low noise level in the cabin

– Uncomfortable rear seats

Engine / transmission

+ Well-groomed and economical diesel engine, well-oiled transmission,

- no sixth gear

Travel behavior

+ Safe driving, many support systems, good brakes

– Clumsy management

Costs

+ Reasonable price

Text: Georgy Kolev, Heinrich Lingner

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

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