Test drive Opel Corsa Ecoflex – Road test
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Opel Corsa Ecoflex - Road test
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The technology applied to the Corsa ecoFlex hasn't revolutionized the automotive world, but given that it doesn't require sacrifices in terms of performance and implies an increase in the list price only 300 eurosseems like a good idea in anticipation of real environmental revolutions. Emissions and consumptionthey are lowered and the lowered suspension improves driving dynamics. It is a pity that some details interior decoration we are not well taken care of.
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L"Ecology is in fashion, it is fashionable. Solar panels, wind turbines, electric motors: from newspapers to chatter in a bar - all this is everyone's topic. And car manufacturers, very attentive to social trends, have adapted. Opel, for example, has coined the acronym ecoFlex to refer to cleaner, more fuel-efficient variants of its vehicles. Like the Corsa ecoFlex in our test, for which Opel makes big promises: reduced fuel consumption (average 27,7 km/l), emissions to the bone (95 g/km CO2). And all this without sacrificing performance or driving pleasure. Because the Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFlex has the same horsepower (but less torque) as the regular 1.3 CDTI and identical data listed for top speed and acceleration. But how then, for each liter of diesel fuel, there is about 1 km more? Let's find out.
city
Red light, the engine stops, but the tachometer needle does not drop to zero, but stops at the word "hitchhiking" waiting for green. And when the light changes color, just press the clutch to hear the engine running. Everything is fast and smooth: behavior that is not taken for granted, because being slow can make you nervous on some opponents. And if that weren't enough, there's an additional start-up aid: when shifting into gear, when the clutch is released, the engine accelerates itself to 1.250 rpm to avoid accidental stops and compensate for noticeable laziness when exiting idle. Sluggishness that disappears in gear, thanks to the overall readiness of a small turbodiesel. The pendants are “durettes”, so obvious disconnects are felt. Attention to the body in the parking lot: all without protection, it is better to have sensors (350 euros).
Outside the city
A couple of curves are enough to be surprised. The Corsa's steering wheel doesn't have to go frantically from side to side to mimic the curves of the road: it takes a few degrees to immediately feel the turning effect, with the nose pointing straight towards the center of the turn. Direct and progressive controls that make driving a real pleasure. And the engine was not out of breath, on the contrary. This small car will also be an "eco" version, but between 2.000 and 4.200 the answer is already in place, almost hard. Overtaking is becoming commonplace and does not require switching to top speed. Engine torque is felt throughout the use of the four-cylinder and helps reduce the need for diesel fuel. In fact, the driver can accurately follow the warning light that tells when to change gear using diesel fuel injected by the Common Rail system into the small engine per gram. Thanks to this flexibility, Opel vehicles have opted for a 5-speed gearbox that is compact and lightweight, which also helps avoid wasting fuel. Compared to another Corsa with this engine, the ecoFlex has one less gear but less.
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At a fast 130 km / h, the Corsa's engine runs at 2.900 rpm, far from its maximum value and in the optimum range for torque availability. There are two effects: the noise is not excessive: the sound level meter recorded 71 decibels, and the thrust remains significant for possible expansion. Although the Corsa engine does not turn into a "packaged" engine, at around 3.000 rpm, there is little environmental impact compared to 1.6 diesel engines of the same or even higher horsepower. Distance, however, does not bother; quite the contrary. In our motorway test, we recorded a value of 15,5 km / l. Despite the frugality, the autonomy is only decent: 620 km. In fact, the ecoFlex has a smaller tank (40 liters versus 45 for others). The reason for this choice? Probably a 5-speed gearbox instead of a 6-speed gearbox to save weight and improve performance, but on long journeys you'll need an extra stop. On the other hand, the car pays off with good comfort: the suspension absorbs most of the irregularities well, without bending in corners. The four-wheel support is safe and the handling and safety are guaranteed even at high speeds. Thus, the driver feels that he can drive the car even in difficult maneuvers, for example, when he has to avoid an obstacle.
Life on board
The Corsa is part of the maxi utilitarian group, that is, those who have reached a height of four meters from one bumper to another. The dimensions, which, together with a wheelbase of 251 cm, allowed the designers to "go deeper" into the body to free up more space for passengers. However, if you are traveling really comfortably in front and behind the measurements taken, they assume that a maximum of two people are traveling, because the third adult will be face to face with other passengers and will live with the front seat backs at knee level. ... Obviously, for a short trip it suits you, but for Rome-Naples they recommend a more spacious car if there are five of you and size XL. In terms of functionality, there are no sliding rear seats, but the double load compartment (€ 40) offers a bit of trickery to make the most of the space and has hooks to stop the load. Interior decoration is discreet. The hardware is pretty neat, but some plastic surfaces are easy to scratch and not all are soft. The controls are well placed, it is a pity that the dashboard does not have an engine temperature indicator and an on-board computer (useful for viewing the flow rate), the latter is not available in the Elective setting, the only one in combination with the ecoFlex version.
Price and costs
The Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFlex is only offered in the Elective intermediate version. The equipment is not limited, there are, for example, manual climate, fog lights, remote door opening, adaptive taillights that signal emergency braking, alloy wheels and electric mirrors. For only 16.601 17 euros. And the list of options is pretty rich, even if the ecoFlex has some limitations: for example, you can't have 18,5-inch rims, sunroof, and built-in bike rack system. Interesting packages that allow you to save. Consumption at an average test distance of 198 km / l as in a real piggy bank. The guarantee is provided by law, but it can be extended (from 398 to XNUMX euros).
safety
The equipment is rich: 6 airbags, ESP, Isofix attachments are standard. In short, protection is guaranteed. It should be noted that stability control and traction control cannot be disabled to improve driving dynamics. Disturbing dynamics for good vehicle stability with a solid rear end. The braking system is performance-sized and well-controlled, being able to always apply the desired power when decelerating. However, the seats are not record-breaking, especially at 130 km / h, where it takes 65,2 meters to stop. The “fault” is also found in normal tires, rather than in supersport cars like some of the rivals, which thus have more grip but are less comfortable.
