If you’re a development engineer on a new car project nothing is more guaranteed to put you off your stroke than (a) a change of company ownership and (b), arising from (a), a change of platform.
General Motors Europe had already collaborated with PSA on small cars which begat the Crossland X and Grandland X and work was proceeding apace on a Corsa replacement on an earlier platform when PSA bought GME and decreed the new Corsa would be built on PSA’s CMP platform, one which underpins the Peugeot 308. According to Opel senior development engineer Thomas Wanke, prototypes were ready several years ago but the work didn’t go to waste – a notchback (saloon/sedan) derivative became a Buick Excelle for China.
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As for having to use CMP: “It’s a very modular architecture with different wheelbases and track width, three different rear compartments”.
He noted the PSA purchase of GME “really opened doors” compared with developing the Crossland. When there were two cooperating but two rival companies, there were PSA secrets to be kept from GME but that “immediately changed and we were also able to influence the architecture”.
Opel’s Ruesselheim facility is now home to several PSA Centres of Competence and now develops all seats and is also working on a new 1.6-litre petrol engine.
“So we took CMP and developed the DNA of an Opel/Vauxhall on it.”
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By GlobalDataNew B-segment Corsa wheelbase is the same as the 208 (CMP also underpins C-segment cars) but Wanke and his team have developed different damping and worked a lot on handling and body control to reduce roll.
Somewhere along the way, they have also introduced a German ‘feel’ to the car – doors and other panels shut with a satisfying thunk, there are no hidden sharp moulding lines in the plastics, the controls all feel robust and the electronics – still obviously PSA – didn’t go off-piste at any time during the test drives. My only real gripe – also applies to the older Pug 208 – was no rear interior roof light.
Engerland is getting a 1.2-litre petrol I3 engine in base or turbo/intercooled form, plus a 1.5 diesel and the little 1.2 turbo – six speed manual or eight speed automatic – is the same cracker as in PSA models – pulls like a train with a lovely, sporty, slightly offbeat note and with a spot of electronic assistance to ensure you hear it sounding just right in the cabin.
Wanke describes the PSA engines as “really good powertrains, very efficient, fit nicely with this lightweighted car. We’ve reduced mass and made it lots of fun to drive”.
Vauxhall people described the new Corsa as “a quick project”. The car is lower and shorter than its predecessor with lower hip points and a sleeker profile accented by a two-tone roof and the C-pillar design which “pushes the weight forward”.
Trim levels have been simplified down to SE, SRi, Elite Nav and Ultimate Nav. SE and SRi offer an Nav pack with satellite navigation and Premium which adds heated front seats and steering wheel, and automatic headlight control. Nav Premium combines the two.
SEs have 16-inch double spoke alloy wheels and a seven inch touchscreen radio, as well as safety features such as lane departure warning and automatic emergency city braking. A leather flat-bottom steering wheel and LED headlights and daytime running lights are standard.
SRi models have a sportier feel, made possible by the addition of cross bracing for the front struts. This brings greater rigidity, and along with a different tune for the Corsa’s EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering), provides improved steering feel, especially just on- and off-centre. A Sport button adds a sharper throttle response and engine sound enhancement.
Elite Nav adds, of course, navigation, power windows, heated seats, privacy glass, rear camera and numerous other goodies while Ultimate Nav tacks on keyless start, leather trim, climate control and electric park brake. Elite Nav’s Premium pack adds a 10-inch touchscreen, electronic climate control, keyless entry and 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels.
About 40kg has been shaved off the body in white and torsional stiffness is up 15%. Thanks to measures such as an alloy bonnet (2.4kg off), the various models are up to 108kg lighter. All-aluminium engines (15kg lighter), New front seats (5.5kg lighter) and rear seats (4.5kg lighter) also help.
That alloy bonnet is longer and the instrument panel shorter and the power steering now has a rack, rather than column, mounted electric motor to reduce mass and help lower the centre of gravity.
The chassis has been tuned to be “agile in all conditions” with minimal ESP intervention.
The base 1.2 I3 develops 75PS and 118Nm of torque, does 0-62mph in 12.4 seconds and has a top speed of 108mph. The 1.2 turbo gets 100PS and 205Nm and does the sprint in 9.3 seconds and top speed of 121mph with the six speed manual gearbox. Emissions are Euro 6d compliant and up to 53mpg and 120g CO2 are possible on the WLTP test cycle.
The optional eight-speed automatic has Eco, Normal and Sport modes and comes with standard shift paddles. It is extremely smooth and responsive.
Diesel has not been banished. The 1.5 I4 develops 104PS and 250Nm and comes only with a six-speed manual. It’s torquey, smooth and refined.
The new body has a Cd of 0.29 and is 10% smoother through the air. Two different rear spoilers, automatic radiator shutter vanes and underbody cladding all help here.
Vauxhall’s Corsa product manager Zoe Peacock said Old Corsa has been the brand’s top seller through 2019 and she was looking forward to offering a 100kW all-electric model as well with the redesign. TV advertising for that – due early in 2020 – has already started. It will have a 209 mile range and standard 7.4kw onboard charger with an 11kW, three phase option. Battery is a 50kw/h lithium-ion.
The boot is bigger (there’s gunk and pump but room for a proper spare wheel).
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard (posh German brands please note) and GM’s OnStar has been replaced by a PSA product branded Vauxhall Connect.
Prices start at GBP15,550 on the road and first deliveries reach showrooms in January 2020.
