If you learnt to drive in the last 30 years, chances are that you either learnt the craft in a small Vauxhall or owned one as a first car. Luckily I escaped the latter, but all my friends had a Corsa and I learnt in the forgiving supermini.
The Corsa is the second bestselling car in the UK, this is probably down to the price. The RRP on all Vauxhalls are slightly overpriced but dealers have large margins to give away of over £4,000. Leasing deals are also attractive, Vauxhall is currently offering £190 per month with £99 insurance for 18-20-year-olds on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP).
Despite all this, the Vauxhall Corsa, manufactured as Opel, has always been no more than an average car. Reviewers have criticised its handling for a lack of dynamics and there have never been any notable innovations except a shark hidden in the glove box (find a Corsa D and have a look for yourself). Vauxhall hopes to change this with the next generation, they have given it a new chassis with the new front suspension which gives “drivers more taught and precise handling”. The rear suspension has also been tuned to “allow better straight-line and cornering stability”.
Despite all this, the Vauxhall Corsa, manufactured as Opel, has always been no more than an average car. Reviewers have criticised its handling for a lack of dynamics and there have never been any notable innovations except a shark hidden in the glove box (find a Corsa D and have a look for yourself). Vauxhall hopes to change this with the next generation, they have given it a new chassis with the new front suspension which gives “drivers more taught and precise handling”. The rear suspension has also been tuned to “allow better straight-line and cornering stability”.
Impressive Vauxhall Corsa 3 Door Styling The current 3 door Corsa looks different to the 5-door, but the 4th generation gives an even bigger gap between them with a sporty look to the 3-door and a more premium look to the 5dr. Both models have been given a striking look with a blade running across the bottom of the doors. The characterful Vauxhall Adam has helped the soulless Corsa gain some flair with new a new look that gives it an almost cheeky look and a rear that looks like a mini Astra. Also, carried over from the Adam is the re-designed interior with a flowing dashboard and a 7-inch touchscreen 'intellilink' display.
Most of the engines in the current Corsa look disappointing when compared to the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost, but Vauxhall has created a 3-cylinder turbo rival to the fiesta with 90 or 115 HP. The turbo makes the engine produce 170NM or torque at just 1800rpm. Fuel consumption figures for this engine are yet to be announced, but with start/stop, I would expect it to get free road tax and over 60mpg. The 1.3 CDTI Diesel will be back from the old model but significantly improved with free road tax and over 85mpg. Although I would advise against this model for town driving as the DPF would need clearing every so often, ruining fuel economy.
Overall it looks like Vauxhall have addressed all the issues with the old model, but only time will tell if they have done enough to beat the Ford Fiesta which sits at the top of the UK sales charts. They have the technology to beat the blue oval, but the Fiestas handling and overall appeal could mean the Corsa stays below the Fiesta.
Technology in the new Vauxhall Corsa
The Corsa supports Apple`s `Siri eyes free` and will support `CarPlay` soon after launch. This allows the user to have an iPhone display with all of the apples familiar apps. `Inellilink` also allows the user to stream internet radio over Tunin and download new applications by streaming internet over the user’s mobile phone. The only problem with this is that owners will need a phone and contract that is able to tether, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem as tethering contracts with 1GB of data starts at just £10 a month and most modern smartphones are compatible.
The old car was praised for its large car feel; this should be the same with the new one as it is available with comfort optional extras like heated steering wheel, park assist and a panoramic sunroof. The car will also still be available with the clever yet unpopular `Flexifix` bike rack.
Safety has been improved with systems like Side Blindspot Alert, High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, bi-xenon lights, Hill Start Assist and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System to make the people at NCAP happy.
The new Vauxhall Corsa will be on sale later in the year.
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Safety has been improved with systems like Side Blindspot Alert, High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, bi-xenon lights, Hill Start Assist and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System to make the people at NCAP happy.
The new Vauxhall Corsa will be on sale later in the year.
For more CarCliq reviews click here
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