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The new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa's a smart-looking little hatchback that our friends in Europe and the UK get to enjoy while we watch from the sidelines. GM hasn't seen fit to send the little Fit-fighter our way, but with Saturn and Opel tied at the hip now, our hopes for such a thing seem far less unrealistic. After all, at this time last year, the idea of seeing the Astra in the US was a pipe dream -- one that's been fulfilled with the confirmation that it's headed over as a 2008 Saturn.
The latest reason to want a Corsa comes as both divisions release their performance variants. Vauxhall's just pulled the wraps off the Corsa VXR while Opel unveiled the identical Corsa OPC - a three-door pocket rocket powered by a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.6L. Before you scoff at its 6.8-second 0-60 time as being "slow," know also that it has a top end of 140 mph and reportedly delivers a fuel economy of around 30 US miles per gallon in combined use (35.8 imperial mpg). That's a pretty good set of numbers across the board, and it sounds like the turbo Corsa wouldd make for one seriously fun commuter car.
Follow the jump for our final thoughts as well as Vauxhall's press release, and check out additional photos in our gallery.
[Source: GM (OPC photos - GM via Autoblog Spanish)]
Stylewise, the Corsa VXR/OPC doesn't disappoint in the least, with racy skirting all around, a roof spoiler, blacked-out grillework, big wheels and tires, and a very slick-looking triangular center exhaust outlet. Inside, it's very "New GM"-looking, with shiny piano black accents similar to those found in our market's Saturn Sky Redline, a VW GTI-style flat-bottomed wheel, and racy-looking sport seats. All in all: very nice.
This is the economy car we want from GM, not the Aveo! General, are you listening? Saturn Corsa Redline, anyone?
PRESS RELEASE:
CORSA VXR – VAUXHALL UNLEASHES ITS HOTTEST EVER SUPERMINI
· New Corsa VXR on sale mid-March
· Lightweight turbo 1.6-litre engine producing 192PS and more than 260Nm
· Top speed of 140mph and 0-60 in 6.8 seconds
The new Corsa has already caused quite a sensation with its bold styling and impressive road manners, but now Vauxhall has pulled the wraps off the ultimate version – the long awaited VXR.
The performance flagship of the range is every inch a VXR, designed from the outset to deliver the ultimate in hot-hatch driving excitement and style.
Immediately distinguishable from other models in the new Corsa range, the three-door only VXR comes with several unique VXR styling cues. The mirrors, front foglamp surrounds and centre-exit exhaust tailpipe all have a triangular theme, while the aggressive front and rear bumpers are unique to this model.
Sweeping side skirts and an angular roof spoiler help accentuate the three-door Corsa's already muscular design, while a mesh front grille, blue-painted brake callipers and optional 18-inch alloys further set off the VXR's performance appearance.
The interior is dominated by the sculpted, shell-backed Recaro sports seats and the race-car style flat-bottomed steering wheel. Drilled alloy pedals, piano black trim on the facia and unique VXR detailing on the dials and gear lever make sure the Corsa VXR looks as special inside as it does on the outside.
Power comes from a compact 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, developing 192PS and giving Corsa VXR the ability to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 6.8 seconds, on to a top speed of 140mph. Like the Meriva VXR, it comes with an 'overboost' facility which can increase the torque output on demand to a maximum of more than 260Nm – useful for safe overtaking.
The power is kept in check with a dynamically-designed chassis including a specially-tuned ESP system, along with uprated brakes and suspension and variably-assisted power steering, which alters the weight and feel of the wheel depending on the way in which the car is driven – a feature unique in this area of the market.
Yet despite its wild performance and impressive technology, Corsa VXR promises to be an affordable car to run, with surprising fuel economy for a 140mph car. On extra-urban routes it returns 44.1mpg according to official figures and the combined fuel economy figure is 35.8mpg.
The Corsa VXR will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will be available from Vauxhall retailers from mid-March. Prices will be announced nearer to the on-sale date.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eric B @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:09PM
Bringing Opel to North America as Saturn is the only thing GM has gotten right in the last decade. Why stop now??
BLS @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:12PM
Sound more like a mini cooper S fighter than a Fit Fighter.
BLS - agreed there. I was thinking of the Fit/Jazz as a similar vehicle in size & fuel economy compared to the regular Corsas. In addition to the MINI, you can throw the Ford Fiesta and the offerings from Renault and Citroen in there, too. -AN
mblommel @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:21PM
That is one SWEET looking hatch. We can only dream that one of these will be sitting in a Saturn showroom soon.
Puffy C @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:42PM
You're right Eric, why stop now. I would love to hear the truth about why GM forces junk like the Cavalier on the U.S. market while the foreign markets get gems like this. It just doesn't make any rational sense.
Jay @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:51PM
Oh please...oh please...oh please, Jesus, please...please come to us, little Corsa. Please...
John P. @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:52PM
Puffy, How long has it been since you looked around a chevy dealership. Cavaliers aren't sold anymore, and the Cobalt is a pretty fine (if a bit ugly) performer.
I know what you mean though. This Car has to be sold in Saturn Dealerships soon. I would buy this.
james fear @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:17PM
I dunno how they did it but that dash is ridiculous video game cheesy yet cool at the same time. Id love to see a funky euro-hatch stateside and I know I'm not alone
Steve2 @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:17PM
This car is much nicer than a Cobalt because it costs 80% more.
There is a market for fancy small cars in Europe, but that market is much smaller here, so almost all our small cars are economy cars.
When you're ready to spend $23K on this car, it'll come here. But I would mention a Saturn Aura is only $26K, and most Americans would opt for that larger car over this one.
Still, I love the car. I don't think I'd buy it, cause it's too small. But it's very nice.
Grimace @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:21PM
#8, everything is 80% more in Europe... you can't do a straight conversion based on exchange rates.
Matt W. @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:32PM
Steve2, the Corsa price probably includes VAT, a sales tax that Europeans add on to everything as part of the price tag. Consequently, it is a safe bet that a Saturn variant would be priced in line with other small hatches. However, I have to agree, the market for such cars traditionally is limited here in the States. Nonetheless, it looks far better than GM's smallest offering, the Chevy Aveo. If it doesn't cross the pond as a Saturn, maybe GM should bring it State side as the next gen Aveo.
ChaoZ @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:33PM
Bring this over as an entry-level Saturn and I would seriously consider buying a car from the General. That's saying a lot coming from me, who, before the Sky, hadn't even looked once at a GM (or any other big 2.5) product.
Phil @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:50PM
Chances are it will come here as a Saturn, and I would be more than willing to pay the fixed sticker for it! GM, Bob Lutz, you know what to do...
Doogs @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:51PM
"There is a market for fancy small cars in Europe, but that market is much smaller here, so almost all our small cars are economy cars."
Or is the market much smaller because almost all of our small cars are economy cars?
After years of being treated to crapbuckets like the Ford Aspire, early Hyundai Accent, etc, is it really any wonder that the small car market is so...small?
The Mini proved that small cars don't have to be econobox junkers to sell. IMO, the Fit, Versa, and Yaris are round two. They may not be luxury, per se, but they are certainly chock full of premium content and what have you and, love it or hate it, they do have distinctive styling.
I think a Saturn Corsa would be an absolute no-brainer. Bring it over as a Red Line with this 1.9L, and it'd make it on my list.
5 watt @ Jan 3rd 2007 5:02PM
It’s too bad that the Corsa missed the decree by GM that if you want product development money the vehicle needs to meet crash and emissions standards for all major world markets. The Corsa would be on my short list for replacing my nearly dead civic this summer.
scooter @ Jan 3rd 2007 5:08PM
"There is a market for fancy small cars in Europe, but that market is much smaller here, so almost all our small cars are economy cars."
There are 300 MILLION people in the the US for crissakes! (The third most populous country in the world) I just don't believe there is no market. How big of a market do they want? Is is really not worth selling 20-50k units at GM or Ford anymore? They should take what they can these days.
FLR @ Jan 3rd 2007 5:41PM
I was thinking of getting a Mini turbo as a daily driver...not anymore. I'd rather have a Corsa turbo. That little car would make a great DD.
GM...sell it here...you will have my money! Can't wait for 2009...I'll have a new Camaro and a Corsa DD.
Eric T @ Jan 3rd 2007 5:46PM
I fell in love with the Astra 3-door and 5-door models a few months before GM made the official announcement that they'd be coming to the U.S. When that announcement came, I vowed I'd buy two: one in three-door Redline trim (if offered) and one in standard 5-door trim.
Recently I've been admiring the Honda Fit for it's functionality and practicality.
With the Corsa, you could bet that GM could get me to buy two of their cars. One Corsa Redline and a 5-door Astra. Oh, to dream...
mblommel @ Jan 3rd 2007 6:08PM
I agree with poster no. 14, Mini has proved that nice small cars CAN sell here. Two years ago my wife was shopping for a new car. We drove all the possible small cars Scion xa, xb, mazda 3, etc. But we ended up at the Mini dealer. We spent $22k on her car, about $7-9K more than the others, but well worth it. Not everybody in America wants a leather clad cadillac luxo-boat. Consumers have voted with the wallets on this.
PiCASSO @ Jan 3rd 2007 6:09PM
Wow. If GM would bring this over as the Saturn Corsa Redline by next fall when my lease on my Mazda3 Sport GT is up, I would certainly pay sticker for this pocket-rocket. I've been a GM fan for pretty much all my life, except that I've been driving Honda's and Mazda's since 2000 as GM couldn't bring anything worth while to the table. With the Astra and the Corsa sold as a Saturn, it may bring me back to the General.
I'm certain that GM's marketing people are reading this and taking in the input from some of the enthusiast. Therefore, although it's a small quantity of people who love this VXR/OPC Corsa, GM please bring this to Canada/USA as soon as you can get through Federal crash and emissions testing.
I look forward to GM's rivival... and hope that by October 2007 there will be a product that will peak my interest.
DKB_SATX @ Jan 3rd 2007 6:12PM
It's too bad about the completely-integrated audio (only display for the stereo seems to be high on the dash) that limits you to what you bought the car with. That's one of the things that disappoints me about my Legacy GT, the HVAC controls are integrated with the stereo so that's what you're stuck with if you want AC and/or heat. Other than that, fun quick tight cars like this are tremendously appealing and I'm sure there's SOME market for them in the US. People needing something more practical than their Miata, etc. I don't see them selling lots here in central Texas Truckland, though.