For 2011 Opel will offer buyers of its Corsa more customisation and a fresh face, but is that enough to distinguish it as a 'new' model? SHANE O'DONOGHUEputs the new Corsa through its paces
IN 2010 FORD and Renault each sold more than twice as many Fiestas and Clios as Opel sold Corsas. Even the Volkswagen Polo significantly outsold Opel’s bread-and-butter small car. It doesn’t take a highly-paid analyst to know that something needed to be done.
And you’re looking at it. No, we have not used the wrong photograph; this really is the 2011 Opel Corsa. In fairness to the designers, if you compare old with new then the changes stand out a little more, but in reality the new Corsa is a mildly tweaked version of its predecessor. The only worthwhile visual differences are to the nose, where shapely “eagle eye” headlights and a more aggressive pair of grilles have been employed. More expensive versions also feature fog lights with distinctive chrome detailing.
In a bid to inject more (perceived) fun, Opel has added a handful of vibrant paint colours to the Corsa’s palette – along with several new designs of alloy wheels. For buyers that want to stand out, Opel will offer the “limited edition” Linea Stripes Pack.
The former adds a black roof, black 17-inch alloys, darkened lights, sports suspension and seats (plus a lot more besides) to the SC specification for what appears to be a bargain €355. Reading the small print, Opel has deleted the protection pack from this car, so that needs to be factored into the price, as that costs about €700.
The limited edition model does look the part, but it’s a pity that the sports suspension is part and parcel of it, as it takes from the Corsa’s otherwise good comfort.
An alternative route to buying a fresh looking Corsa is to opt for the new Linea Stripes Pack. Starting from €583, this simply adds big, bold white stripes over the length of the car, along with white 17-inch alloys and caps for the door mirrors – in white, of course.
Opel has taken a similar approach to updating the Corsa’s interior. New trim materials, finishes and colours are employed, but it’s largely the same spacious cabin as ever. One new feature worth a mention is the “touch and connect” infotainment package. This neatly integrated system features a five-inch colour touch-screen, European-wide satnav, Bluetooth telephony and iPod and USB connectivity. While a cost of €680 to €695 is not insignificant, it’s considerably cheaper than most systems as all-encompassing as this, and it works well.
The addition of new gadgets, colours and customisation options sums up the 2011 Opel Corsa. They’re sure to appeal to fashion conscious, younger buyers, though those same customers may be a little dubious about how “new” the Corsa really is.
The majority of new car buyers in Ireland, which are generally a little more mature, are more concerned with price, tax, safety and economy.
The high-performance OPC version aside, all of Opel’s Corsas fall into either band A or band B for tax and, thanks to an engine overhaul last year, they’re quite frugal. Whether the furore surrounding the launch of the new-look car will grab buyers’ attention and bring the Corsa back into contention with its principal rivals remains to be seen.