New Vauxhall Corsa Details

Press Release

Driving dynamics

Excellent driving dynamics and outstanding handling were very much the key factors behind the development of the Corsa’s all-new chassis. Each model’s suspension is tuned individually to match the weight of the engine, ensuring that there are no compromises to the ride and handling. In addition, the car is available with a specific lowered sport chassis which provides an even sharper driving experience.

New Corsa is first-in-class to offer variable progressive ratio steering for greater directness. The height and reach-adjustable wheel controls a speed-dependent Electronic Power Steering system, making it easy to manoeuvre in town, but delivering a much meatier feel on faster stretches of road or when cruising at speed.

Extensive development on the car was carried out on British roads and at the Vauxhall Engineering Centre in Millbrook, Bedfordshire, as well as at Opel’s dedicated proving ground at Dudenhofen, Germany, to ensure it offered the best combination of sharp handling responses and ride comfort.

The car’s body is significantly stiffer than before, while the platform was developed from the ground-up as an all-new design. It has a new short front subframe, allowing optimum chassis geometry, and a torsion-beam rear axle with three roll-rate levels.

Other chassis features include a V-shaped positioning of the rear trailing arms, damping at the front axle and low-friction suspension joints, all helping deliver the best in ride quality.

Electronic safety devices are now commonplace even in the Corsa’s class, but the sophistication of the new model’s ABS and optional ESP systems would be considered exceptional even in the class above. The ABS system features electronic brake force distribution, Cornering Brake Control and Straight-Line Stability Control. When braking in a corner, CBC reduces the braking pressure at the inner-most wheel, delaying the application of ABS and reducing the braking distance. SLS prevents skidding when braking during straight ahead driving by reducing braking pressure on one side of the car as required, which is especially useful on uneven road surfaces or poorly-maintained streets.

The ESP system has been tuned so that it gives complete control to the driver in the first instance, even at very high cornering speeds, and only gradually takes over when there is danger of losing control of the car by individually and independently braking all four wheels if necessary. Extra ESP functions, available as an optional pack, include Hill Start Assist to prevent the car from rolling backwards when driving off on a slope without having to use the handbrake and a deflation detection system to give early warning of a punctured tyre.

Safety

As well as the many active safety features demonstrated by its dynamic chassis design, New Corsa has been designed to offer the best levels of protection in even the most extreme circumstances.

The car is made from the highest quality steel, and assembled under strict quality- controlled conditions at two plants – Zaragoza in Spain and Eisenach in Germany.

Under heavy braking when the ABS is activated, the brake lights flash five times per second to warn following motorists. If airbags or seatbelt pre-tensioners are activated in an accident, the car’s safety system will automatically switch on the hazard warning lights.

Should an accident occur, New Corsa has been designed to offer the best protection for its occupants. Two-stage airbags and side airbags for both front passengers feature on all models and the top sellers in the range also have head curtain airbags across the entire length of the cabin to help cushion any impact. The passenger airbag can be deactivated if using a rear-facing baby seat via a button on the instrument panel.

Seatbelt pre-tensioners secure the shoulder parts of the seatbelts, and as a new innovation there is also a separate tensioner on the lap part belts for all models from Club upwards. In addition, GM’s patented Pedal Release System automatically drops the pedals away from the driver’s feet in the event of a heavy frontal collision.

The range

The Vauxhall Corsa has always been synonymous with great value for money, and the all-new model will successfully continue that well-garnered reputation. Equipment levels are generous, with even the Expression getting a CD player, dual front airbags, central locking and power door mirrors. Moving up the range, the Life gets welcome lighting, electric front windows, and a folding ignition key.

Club trim adds side and curtain airbags, front seatbelt lap pretensioners, an MP3 compatible audio system, the Dual Load floor, body-coloured door handles and side mouldings, steering wheel audio controls and soft-touch instrument panel pads. SXi variants get translucent control switches, heated door mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, sports front seats, a leather-covered steering wheel, sports suspension, fog lights, a visible chrome tailpipe and dark-style headlamps, while plush Design models come with automatic lighting control, rain sensing wipers, air-conditioning, an electrochromatic rear view mirror and chrome-edged dials.

New Corsa will be available at Vauxhall Retailers from October and a full list of prices will be released shortly.

Technical specifications

Vauxhall Corsa 3-dr and 5-dr

Engines