Test Drive: Opel Corsa 1.5D
The 6th generation Corsa was in its final stages of development in 2017 when Opel was acquired by Groupe PSA. And the leaders of the French group decided to throw the nearly finished car in the bin and instructed the engineers and designers to start from the beginning, building on the new model on its own CMP platform.
It used to be B-class cars were simple and not always brought to mind. Now they have similar passenger cars to adults, and even great opportunities. A vivid example is the sixth generation of the Opel Corsa.
Interior and exterior
The new Opel of the sixth generation has grown in length to 4,06 m, which is 40 mm more than its predecessor. By the way, the full name of the car sounds like Opel Corsa F - the letter indicates to us the sixth generation of the model.
The design has become more emotional and sustained in the spirit of Opel Crossland X and Grandland X. There is a wide grille with profiled sides. Corsa headlights can be LED and matrix. The rear pillars are reminiscent of shark fins in design, and the fifth door is embossed. There is a spoiler on the roof.
Built on a completely new construction and development platform, developed as part of the PSA Group, and involves the use of joint engines. For example, a 3-cylinder 1,2-liter gasoline turbo engine with the designation “Direct Injection Turbo” (read PureTech Turbo): 100 hp and 205 Nm or 130 hp and 230 Nm. Moreover, these engines can now be paired with a modern "automatic" EAT8: an option for a 100-horsepower engine, standard for a 130-horsepower version. Also in the gamut of the model is a 102-horsepower 1,5-liter turbodiesel and a 75-horsepower gasoline 1,2-liter naturally aspirated engine paired with a 5-speed "mechanics", as the most basic version of the model.
But, the first thing that catches your eye is not the platform and motors, but the lightweight design and advanced technologies. By the way. the manufacturer himself calls the Opel Corsa the most technologically advanced car in the history of this family.
The main revolution for Opel is the IntelliLux LED headlights. Never before has this optics been offered on a B-class model. IntelliLux LED matrix headlights can adjust the light beam to the conditions on the road, “cut” oncoming and passing cars (so as not to blind their drivers), automatically switch from low to high beams and back, etc. They also consume 80% less electricity.
Inside the car, too, there have been certain changes. The materials are clearly better. The front panel is both classic and modern, the upper tier is trimmed with soft plastic. Corporate steering wheel, there are wide ranges of seat adjustments.
More expensive versions have a digital instrument panel. Noteworthy is the curved transmission selector, as in the Citroen C5 Aircross. The center panel is slightly turned towards the driver, and on top of it there is a 7 or 10-inch touchscreen display.
It is worth noting that the landing at the wheel became lower by 28 mm. The new Opel Corsa is more spacious inside, and its trunk volume has grown to 309 liters (with the standard 5-seater version, its volume reaches 309 liters (+ 24 liters), with the rear seats folded down - 1081 liters). Adaptive cruise control, parking autopilot, Wi-Fi and a traffic sign recognition system added to the list of options.
Specifications Opel Corsa
For Opel Corsa, the manufacturer has prepared as many as five different options for powertrains. Petrol versions will be equipped with a 1,2-liter three-cylinder PureTech gasoline unit. It is equipped with a turbocharging system and is presented in three different versions. The options are available for 75 100 and 150 horsepower. The younger power unit is equipped with five-speed mechanics.
The middle one also works with a “manual” gearbox, but already in 6 gears or an eight-speed hydromechanical automatic machine with eight operating ranges. For the older engine, only an automatic transmission is offered. For lovers of heavy fuel, the manufacturer produces the in-line turbocharged diesel four BlueHDi. She develops 100 horses and works exclusively with six-speed mechanics.
In addition to internal combustion engines, Corsa will receive an all-electric modification. Her engine produces 136 horses and 286 Nm of torque. Power is supplied by a lithium-ion battery installed under the floor. Their total capacity is 50 kWh. The power reserve is up to 340 kilometers.
Since our test drive is dedicated more to the diesel version of the Opel Corsa. It should be noted right away that this version of the car is economical: 3,7 liters per 100 km, but in general the "passport" promises even less - up to 3,2 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle.
We have collected the most important technical characteristics of the diesel version of Opel:
Fuel consumption:
- City cycle: 3.8 L
- Country Cycle: 3.1 L
- Mixed cycle: 3.4 l
- Fuel Type: DT
- Fuel tank capacity: 40 L
Engine:
| Type | diesel |
| Location | front, transverse |
| Displacement, cc | 1499 |
| Compression ratio | 16.5 |
| Type of supercharging | turbocharged |
| Engine Power Supply System | diesel |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 4 |
| Number of valves | 16 |
| Power, hp / rpm | 102 |
| Maximum torque Nm / rev / min | 250 / 1750 |
| Gearbox | Mechanics 6 |
| Drive unit | Front |
| Drive size | R16 |
How does it go?
As we wrote above, our task is to talk specifically about the diesel version of Opel. 1,5-liter turbodiesel (102 hp and 250 Nm) vibrates a little, fills the interior with a barely noticeable low-frequency hum, accelerates the car at an average pace, but in principle finds a common language with the selection of gears in a 6-speed "mechanics" Suspension neatly springy on bumps, quietly in the wheel arches. The steering wheel does not annoy with weight - it just spins easily, allowing you to set the desired direction of movement, but does not arouse passion in turns.
We can say that the diesel version is suitable for those who are simply chasing after savings. Manageability and acceleration - obviously not about this version of the car.
