Autoblog

GM announces plans to build new small car in U.S. - but which one will it be?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM

2010 Chevy Spark - Click above for a hi-res image gallery

General Motors has issued a cryptic press release suggesting it plans to retool an existing plant here in the United States to build a new small car. No specifics are given on what small car this may be, as the missive only says that the plant will have the capacity to build up to 160,000 small and compact cars and that "this vehicle adds to GM's growing portfolio of U.S.-built, highly fuel efficient cars including the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt." Know what that means? It's speculation time!

GM's most well-known small car is arguably the Chevy Spark, which was introduced earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show and is based on the Beat concept from 2007. It's possible this is the small car GM is referring to, but it's not the only option. The automaker could also introduce a model slightly larger than the Spark that would still slot below the upcoming Chevy Cruze compact that's slated to replace the aging Chevrolet Cobalt, possibly based on either the Opel Corsa or Astra. Have any other ideas? Check out the press release after the jump, and then free to sound off in the comments.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM announces plans to build new small car in U.S. - but which one will it be?

GM announces plans to build new small car in U.S. - but which one will it be? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 May 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuner Tuesday: Steinmetz tweaks the Opel Corsa OPC

Alex Nunez — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Opel

Click above for a gallery of the Steinmetz Corsa OPC

The Opel Corsa is small, cool, and like most other neat U.S.-automaker Euro offerings, unavailable to us -- at least for now. As good as the current car would look wearing Saturn badges and slotted beneath the Astra, we'll have to wait a good while until the next-gen Corsa arrives to see it in Saturn stores. Nifty though it may be in standard guise, it's the OPC performance variant that really strikes our fancy. 192 horsepower, a 6.8-second 0-60, and fuel economy in the neighborhood of 30 mpg is a compelling combo.

Longtime Opel tuner, Steinmetz, has unveiled a suite of mods for the butched-up Corsa OPC. The factory hot hatch gets a new exhaust that adds ten horsepower, bumping its peak output to 202 ponies. Next comes a suspension upgrade that drops the car 30 millimeters, giving it a more athletic stance. Finally, Steinmetz closes the deal with a new front spoiler, replacement grille, side stripes, aluminum gas cap, and an upgraded wheel/tire package. Looks like fun to us.

Gallery: Steinmetz Corsa OPC

[Source: Steinmetz]

Tuner Tuesday: Steinmetz tweaks the Opel Corsa OPC originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leipzig 2008: Opel Corsa Limited Edition unveiled

Dan Roth — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, GM, Misc. Auto Shows, Opel

Click above for a gallery of the Opel Corsa Limited Edition.

In celebration of the 10-millionth Opel Corsa, Russelheim has unveiled the Corsa Limited Edition to the public at the Leipzig Motor Show. Carrying Ecotec power displacing 1.2- or 1.4-liters and pushing 80 and 90 horsepower, respectively, the Corsa Limited Edition sits on a sport-tuned suspension with 17-inch rims that conceal red brake calipers. Production will be capped at 1,000 units, all of which will be Casablanca White with contrast provided by black on the roof and wheels, along with dark-tinted rear glass.

The exterior color scheme is mirrored inside, where the three-door carries standard air conditioning and an MP3-capable audio system with an auxiliary input. The design of the Limited Edition Corsa was a joint effort, specifically employing the input of 120 trainees to help the car appeal to youthful customers. It certainly appeals to us looks-wise. If you're fortunate enough to be where you can purchase one of these cars, wad up €16,000 in your hot little fist and head on down to your Opel store. Translated official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Opel Corsa Limited Edition

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Continue reading Leipzig 2008: Opel Corsa Limited Edition unveiled

Leipzig 2008: Opel Corsa Limited Edition unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We'll always have Paris: Saturn considers what Lutz already confirmed

Alex Nunez — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 10:25:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, GM, Saturn, Opel

Bloomberg's Greg Bensinger penned an article Friday that's getting some play on the web. In it, he spoke to Saturn's product development director, Lisa Hutchinson, who said that the Saturn division is indeed considering the addition of the Corsa subcompact to the lineup. Hutchinson doesn't attach a timeframe to anything, but states that the American consumer's concern over fuel economy is what's driving this. Later in the day, the Detroit News' Autos Insider column picked up on Bensinger's story. Speculation about a quality American-marque subcompact will do that when gas costs three bucks and change.

We want to see the Corsa here as badly as anyone else, but if you think back to October '06 during the Paris Motor Show, you'll remember that none other than Bob Lutz himself confirmed then that the Corsa will be sold as a Saturn. In fact, the exact words he used, according to Automotive News, were that the Corsa "will very definitely go to the United States." The thing is, the Corsa we'll get will be the next-generation model, not the one shown above. Last October, the timeframe surrounding this, as relayed by the Automotive News' David Sedgwick, was reportedly five years -- meaning 2011, probably as a 2012 model, if we had to guess. AN also reported that the US version of the car would likely be built in Mexico.

We're sure that Jill Lajdziak would like nothing more than to hop out of a Corsa on stage during one of next season's US auto shows and announce that it'll be on sale in the near future, but based on what Lutz already said -- and he of all people would know -- it's probably not happening anytime soon. Bummer.

[Source: Bloomberg News]

We'll always have Paris: Saturn considers what Lutz already confirmed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Jun 2007 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Opel Corsa OPC hits the 'Ring

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, GM

As we told you back in January, there's a new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa OPC overseas that's attractive, fun and athletic to boot. For now it remains the exclusive property of our friends in Europe, but with GM stating that Opel will essentially equal Saturn by 2014, and Bob Lutz telling us we should see the Corsa here within 5 years, there is reason to hope. This is a car we would buy today if it were slotted into the Saturn lineup. Replacing inferior product like the Aveo, a Saturn (or Chevy) Corsa would cause quite a stir at the lower end of the market. And better yet is the fact that Opel offers an OPC (the Vauxhall goes by VXR) pocket rocket edition that would look very nice with a Red Line badge on its rump.

That OPC is the subject of today's post. With the car having debuted in Geneva a couple of weeks ago, we filled a gallery with photos of this sexy little beast. Today we have a video clip of the hot pocket zipping along the coast before launching an attack on the Green Hell in Germany. The Corsa OPC uses a 192-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter 4. That is good enough for a 6.8-second 0-60 time and a top end of 140 mph, while still managing to return around 30 US miles per gallon in combined use (35.8 imperial mpg). Those numbers sound pretty good to us. Follow the jump to see this future Saturn (fingers crossed) in all its tire-squealing glory.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading VIDEO: Opel Corsa OPC hits the 'Ring

VIDEO: Opel Corsa OPC hits the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuner Tuesdays: Opel Corsa by Irmscher

Alex Nunez — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Europe, Hatchback

Click to enlarge

Irmscher, the German tuning firm, has released its first set of accessories for the new Opel Corsa. Sporty right out of the factory, the Irmscher mods inject some additional visual flair into GM Europe's new subcompact.

The available bits include a chrome-trimmed grille, two different rear spoilers, new front and side skirts, and a revised rear bumper cover with either single or dual exhaust cutouts. Irmscher offers a choice of two aftermarket mufflers -- one corresponding to each bumper style. Wheel upgrades come in the form of the five-stars depicted above or the attractive 16-spoke design shown after the jump. Finally, a squatter stance can be achieved courtesy of a lowering kit that drops the car 30mm.

Inside, the Corsa can be individualized in a number of ways. Custom leather, aluminum trim pieces (such as the pedals and handbrake handle), and a new center armrest with storage bin are among the available upgrades.

Irmscher's accessorization programs are available for 3- and 5-door Corsas, and while the deeper of the two rear spoilers seems a bit too bulky for our tastes, we have to say that the other external enhancements look quite good. The new Corsa is a nicely-designed machine, and Irmscher wisely embraces subtlety in their visual modifications.

(Additional photos after the jump)

[Source: Irmscher via Autoblog Spanish]

Continue reading Tuner Tuesdays: Opel Corsa by Irmscher

Tuner Tuesdays: Opel Corsa by Irmscher originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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