Since 1982, over 9.4 million units of the predecessor models have been sold in Europe.

With this fourth generation of the Corsa Opel aims to return to the top of the small car segment, which is the second largest in Europe with over 20 percent of all passenger car sales.

The new Corsa will again be produced in Zaragoza (Spain) and Eisenach (Germany).

Both the three- and five-door versions will be available at dealerships in October 2006.

Design

The new model is based on the successful example of the Astra and Astra GTC. The distinctively different coupé-like three-door and family-friendly five-door Corsa models are tailor-made for different types of customers.

While both body versions have the same length and height (3999 / 1488 mm), there is a small difference in their width (3-door: 1713 mm, 5-door: 1737 mm).

Thanks to the long wheelbase (2511 mm) and wide track (front / rear: 1485 / 1478 mm), both Corsa versions have distinctively sporty proportions.

The integrated carrier system “Flex-Fix” for the first time on a production car.

Interior

Turn buttons for climate control, radio and lighting are backlit. Piano-lacquer finish used in selected equipment variants on the center console with a matching finish on the steering wheel spokes and air-conditioning vent rings is of a much higher quality than normal in this class.

The "infotainment system" allows for up to five different drivers to save their individual settings for electronic climate control and on-board electronics and activate them via the car key.

Among the interesting features are the power panorama sunroof and a heated steering wheel.

Opel Corsa Sport

The Corsa Sport holds a special position in the model range: it features power steering with variable-progressive feedback curve. The chassis is lowered by 18 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear, while the closer gear ratios add an extra acceleration.

The interior features high-quality elements including a matte-chrome console and perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel. The exterior details include dark-tinted headlamps, 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 R 16 tires, and a chrome sports exhaust pipe.

Body Structure

In addition to the stiffer body, the Corsa features a new short front subframe, allowing for optimum chassis geometry, and a torsion-beam rear axle with three roll-rate levels.

Depending on the engine, these provide an ideal alignment to the different front axle loads.

Engines

At its market launch, the Corsa is available with three gasoline and two common-rail turbo-diesel engines, which all feature ECOTEC four-valve technology.

They cover an output range of 60 to 90 hp. Soon after the start of sales, a new 125 hp, 1.7 CDTI with diesel particulate filter as standard will follow as the interim top-of-the-line unit.

In addition to the five and six-speed transmissions (combined with the two more powerful diesel engines), and the automated Easytronic manual gearbox (option for the 1.2-liter gasoline unit), the Corsa 1.4 is also available with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Safety Equipment

The Corsa’s standard safety equipment - named SAFETEC - includes ABS system with electronic brake force distribution, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Straight-Line Stability control (SLS), ESP system, Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL).

Lighting System

The Corsa’s AFL system provide a dynamic curve light that reacts to the steering angle and speed of the car, turning the high or low beam headlamps up to 15 degrees outward and eight degrees inward.

At speeds below 40 km/h, static cornering light is activated. Depending on turn signal and steering wheel position, the headlamps illuminate intersections and garage driveways.

Other lighting innovations in the Corsa include automatic lighting control and adaptive brake lights, a system which warns following drivers by blinking all three brake lights five times per second in case of ABS braking. If airbags or belt tensioners are activated, the hazard warning lights are automatically switched on.

(Source: Opel)