Opel Revamping Corsa for 2010, ecoFLEX now with 98 g/km CO2

Opel will introduce a completely revamped version of its Corsa city car, with major engineering, better performance and greater fuel economy.

The Corsa, which accounts for some 30 percent of Opel/Vauxhall total sales, is available in two distinctly different variants: the coupé-like three-door and the family friendly five-door model.

The Corsa stays faithful to its exciting design, with sporty contours and one of the roomiest and most flattering interiors in its class. It also features innovative technologies that remain exceptional in the small car segment.

These include the halogen AFL curve and cornering lights, a heated steering wheel and the integrated bicycle carrier system FlexFix which is unique to Opel.

Diesel engines: New top-of-line 1.7 CDTI 130 hp with 300 Nm and 95 hp ecoFLEX

1.7 CDTI: The top-of-the-line 1.7 CDTI diesel engine in the Corsa range also gains output and torque while reducing its appetite for fuel. Power increases from 92 kW/125 hp to 96 kW/130 hp while the torque value rises from 280 to 300 Nm at the same engine speed. Emissions, on the contrary, fall 9 percent – at a remarkable 118 g/km CO2 from 130 g/km CO2 for the 3-door version. The Corsa 1.7 CDTI now reaches 200 km/h (5 km/h more than the previous generation) and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds (versus 9.9 seconds on the previous generation). Due to its increased torque, it now accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear in 9.3 seconds only (compared with 10.4 seconds previously).

While making it Euro 5 compliant, Opel engineers bettered the performance of the 1.7 CDTI by adding a new turbo charger with an actuator position sensor providing a more precise control of the boost pressure. To reduce fuel consumption, they developed a fuel injection system that improves the combustion process; they also switched to low voltage glow plugs that reduce the load on the generator when the engine warms up. A new, lighter intake manifold also helps the Corsa shed weight and an up-shift indicator assists the driver in adopting an economical driving style.

1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX: The new, lowest emitting Corsa ecoFLEX variant is now powered by a sophisticated, 70 kW/95 hp 1.3 CDTI diesel engine boosted by a turbo with a variable geometry. It is packed with 27 percent more power than the previous generation Corsa ecoFLEX even though fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are slashed by some 10 percent. With its 190 Nm of torque available between 1750 and 3250 rpm, this Corsa ecoFLEX needs only 3.7 l/100 km (64 mpg US), releasing just 98 g/km CO2 as a three-door. The five-door Corsa emits 99 g/km. A particulate filter is standard. An up-shift indicator on the dashboard helps the driver optimize fuel economy.

This version replaces the 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX (55 kW/75 hp) with 109 g/km CO2 which was only available in 3-door version.

Overview of the new Diesel offer for Corsa:

Lower fuel consumption and increased output in the gasoline engine line-up

The Opel Corsa boasts a new gasoline engine line-up that fully complies with Euro 5 standards. All engines have been re-worked to offer more torque while featuring up to 13% lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Both the 1.2- and 1.4-liter Twinport variants are each available in two versions with different outputs. Every country selects and offers customers the variants that suit the needs of their region. Some may decide to go for optimal fuel efficiency; other may want to balance it with more performance.

The most popular gasoline powertrains (the 1.0 to 1.4 liter with manual and Easytronic transmissions) now have fuel consumptions between 5.0 and 5.5 L/100 km (47 and 43 mpg US), with max. CO2 emissions of 129 g/km.

Transmissions: In many cases, the new gasoline-powered Corsa offers a choice between close and wide transmission ratios. Traditionally, close ratio transmissions are matched to gasoline engines for sportier, higher rpm gear changes, while wide ratio transmissions in diesel vehicles compensate for a narrower rpm bandwidth and provide more economical driving.

Because all gasoline engines have improved their torque values, especially at lower rpm, it has been possible to also match them with wide ratios transmissions. As they now have the choice between transmissions with performance-oriented short- or economy-focused wide ratios, Opel national entities can best adapt their offer to the driving needs and tastes of their customers and the specific tax regulations in their market.

Steering: Opel has optimized the steering on all Corsa models. The software controls for the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) have been re-tuned and the engineers have installed a new yoke liner in the steering gear for reduced friction. Overall, these measures provide improved feedback and precision with increased on-center feel and stronger return to the middle position after a curve or any input given to the steering for lane changes. Corrective maneuvers result in improved straight-ahead stability.