Opel are back in the game with Corsa
Falling sales, poor products and mounting losses had put Opel (and Vauxhall in the UK) on the line, but the American bosses decided it had a viable future and agreed to a programme of investment to turn it around.
But first the Americans had to turn GM around, after its 2008 bankruptcy, before it could begin to concentrate on Opel’s problems.
Under new CEO, Mary Barra, Opel, instead of being the subject of threats and corporate arm-twisting, became a car-maker with definite objectives and enough funding to bring them to fruition.
Opel was, as one industry expert observed, “allowed to behave like a German or Japanese firm, making plans for the medium- and long-term, rather than having razor gangs slash everything they could find to make the next quarter’s financials appear less ghastly.”
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Indeed, attending an Opel car launch during the ‘re-stabilisation’ period was strange. Such was the uncertainty about the company’s prospects that Opel personnel would quietly admit that unless things turned for the better quickly, there was no future for them or the company.
And change they did. Recently we have seen an upsurge in activity from the Russelsheim outfit, what with a revamped Insignia, a revitalised Astra, a new Corsa and two new model ranges in the Adam and the Karl — both of which we will be looking at more closely in coming weeks.
There has also been a raft of new engines and other technological developments, aimed not only at keeping Opel up with the Joneses, but at providing a platform on which it can make vehicles that are both relevant and marketable.
The new Corsa had its European debut late last year and huge optimism is being placed on its broad shoulders. A staple of the Opel line-up since 1982, the Corsa has had five different incarnations and it has been a bit of a wild ride, with some great highlights and some grisly low ones, too.
Unfortunately for Opel, the majority of the highs were a long time ago and the sheen of success had worn off the Corsa as the company lost its ability to produce a competitive super-mini capable of taking the fight to its European and Asian rivals. That it only had about ten quid in the bank was often overlooked by critics, who gave latter-day Corsas the lash for their lack of innovation, and lack of decent engines or even a modicum of flair.
The new car sets out to reverse that situation and does so pretty well, even if it gives the impression that it is a work in progress. Recent styling efforts from Opel have been very good and that progress is largely mirrored in the Corsa, with the front- and rear-end looks being particularly appealing, even if the side-on view is uninspiring.
Interior décor is something of a wow, too, and the work the Opel stylists have done here is very promising and encouraging. They have adopted bits and bobs from bigger models and have given the Corsa a more sophisticated and upmarket demeanour.
It is under the hood that the real signs of Opel’s re-emergence are to be found. Here is the new one-litre turbo, three-cylinder unit — an engine that mirrors the current trend for small-capacity petrol powerplants. It is an absolute cracker to drive. Indeed, it is probably as good as, and slightly more refined than, Ford’s vaunted one-litre EcoBoost unit.
The basic facts of the engine show it to output some 67kW (90bhp), between 3,700 and 6,000rpm, with a whopping torque figure of 170Nm, between 1,500 and 3,700rpm.
It has a top speed just shy of 190kph and an 11.2-second 0-100kph time, but neither of those latter figures really does it justice.
Allied to a six-speed gearbox, the engine has usable grunt through every gear and while its pace from a standing start might not seem outstanding, its abilities in the 50-80kph bracket, in third, fourth or fifth gears, are much more impressive. It is also remarkably quiet and refined, even when under the hammer.
That it is also capable of achieving 4.9 l/100km (57mpg), and only emits 104g/km (putting it in Tax Band A for annual road tax of €190), is also worth noting.
It is a nice car to drive, but not particularly engaging. This is primarily because it is based on the same suspension platform as the last Corsa.
Sure, they’ve tricked with items such as dampers and put in a new steering rack, but these changes have not done much for the overall quality of the drive. It’s okay, but not class-leading, by any stretch.
Bottom line here is that Opel is on the way back and if this Corsa is followed up in the coming months and years, then the company will be in a very good place.
To some of us of a certain age, it is still a shock every month when the official figures come out and there is no Opel in the top-ten sellers’ list in this country — I remember days when there would be at least three in the top rank.
However, with this car and a new and quickly evolving model line-up, Opel could well soon be back where it once was.
Opel Corsa
From €14,895to €19,995 as tested in SE, 5-door trim.
The star of the show with this Corsa.
Comes as tested with stuff such as Opel’s ‘Intellink’ infotainment and connectivity system and if that doesn’t please young bucks of either sex, little will.
Opel is on the way back.
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