The electric Opel Corsa-e already accounts for about a quarter of sales
Since its launch in 1982, the Opel Corsa has been a true success story for Opel. To date, more than 14 million have been sold. With the new generation of the Corsa, the little bestseller begins the sixth chapter of its success story.
2022 is an anniversary year for Opel: the company has been making affordable innovations for everyone for 160 years, while one of its biggest bestsellers is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Opel Corsa revolutionized the small car segment with its debut in 1982 and today, in its sixth generation, it is in greater demand than ever. Last year, the current Corsa was the most popular small car in Germany and the best-selling in the UK. The Opel Corsa-e won the “Golden Steering Wheel 2020” and already accounts for about a quarter of Corsa sales.
But to understand the popularity of the Corsa since its debut in 1982, you first have to look at another successful model with the Blitz, the Opel Kadett. A small car conceived and designed to offer more people mobility at a time when driving was still a real luxury. Later, and over the decades, customers quickly became more demanding as their purchasing power improved. The little Kadett got bigger and more powerful in the second half of the 20th century, approaching the compact segment in each of its new versions. This left a void in what was the usual model of entry to the Rüsselsheim range.
So it was time for a new small car, the Corsa. The new model first rolled off the production line at the newly built car plant in Zaragoza in the fall of 1982 and immediately set the stage for becoming a bestseller for Opel. To date, 40 years after launch, more than 14 million units have left the factories, most produced in Zaragoza and Eisenach.
This success is largely due to the many advances in advanced technology introduced in the various generations of the Corsa, previously only available in higher segment vehicles. This includes safety and assistance systems such as ABS and airbags, as well as the front camera with distance indicator, traffic sign recognition and lane assist, and most recently the glare-free Intelli-Lux LED® adaptive matrix light. Now in its sixth generation, the best-selling small car shows how ready it is for the future. Since 2019, it has been offered emission-free for the first time with the Opel Corsa-e.
Opel Corsa A 1982 to 1993
The Corsa A was characterized by sleek proportions with a length of only 3.62 meters. It had distinctively flared wheel arches like a rally car and an exceptionally low drag coefficient of 0.36, possibly a record in its segment. Chief designer Erhard Schnell had created a sporty little car with sharp, chiseled lines. The most eye-catching was the 100 hp Corsa GSi, and a diesel engine was also installed. The bodies for two-door and sedans were expanded in 1985 with the addition of the popular five-door model. The Corsa A became an acclaimed sales success, with 3.1 million units built.
Opel Corsa B 1993 to 2000
Legendary Opel designer Hideo Kodama set to work creating a much rounder and smoother Corsa, with attractive ‘flying saucer’ headlights that complement a beautiful, childlike appearance. The Corsa B was ten centimeters longer and much more spacious inside than its predecessor. It also introduced higher safety standards in its segment, such as ABS brakes, side impact protection and front airbags. For some markets, Opel again offered a three-piece variant along with the two-piece Opel, as well as family and pick-up variants. The petrol engines already had fuel injection technology and catalytic converters, while the GSi offered 16 valves and the turbo diesel. The second Corsa was successful around the world, selling more than four million.
Opel Corsa C 2000 to 2006
With the philosophy of never changing what you earn, Hideo Kodama was once again asked to design the Corsa C. And the styling was focused on its successful predecessor. The Corsa was again ten centimeters longer, wider and had a longer wheelbase, which significantly increased the interior space. For the first time, the body was completely galvanized. Advanced ECOTEC four-valve petrol engines and new turbo diesel engines with direct injection ensure high power, low fuel consumption and lower emissions: all variants already met Euro 4 emission standards. The Corsa C also received one star and 2, 5 million copies sold.
Opel Corsa D 2006 to 2014
After that, the three- and five-door versions would go their separate ways: the uniquely styled, coupé-like three-door Corsa aimed at sporty customers, just like the original Corsa A. The five-door variant became a spacious family car. The Corsa D was just under four meters long and reached exactly 3,999 meters.
With Opel’s ecoFLEX technology, the Corsa was equipped with fuel-saving Start/Stop systems and highly efficient engines. The 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX version consumed only 3.3 l/100 km in the combined cycle and emitted only 88 g/km of CO2 (according to NEDC). The fourth generation Corsa sold more than 2.9 million units.
Opel Corsa E 2014 to 2019
Dynamic, practical and elegant, the Corsa E was also a sales success with approximately 1.3 million units sold. The fifth generation was also built at the Opel plants in Zaragoza and Eisenach. For the first time, the little star exceeded four meters, offering high comfort and the best technologies with a length of 4.02 meters. In addition, it was offered with a heated steering wheel, heated seats and automatic climate control, with a front camera with distance display, traffic sign recognition and lane assistance. Corsa drivers were optimally connected with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible IntelliLink infotainment systems, including a seven-inch color touchscreen. The sporty model of the small car was initially the Corsa OPC with 152 kW (207 hp) and later the Corsa GSi with 110 kW (150 hp).
Opel Corsa F electric version introduced in 2019
With the sixth generation of the Corsa, Opel is optimally equipped for future challenges. The latest generation of the small car, which celebrated its world premiere at the 2019 Frankfurt International Motor Show, is also available for the first time in a 100% electric and zero-emission version. Also striking is the glare-free adaptive Intelli-Lux LED matrix lighting, which Opel is also offering in the small car segment for the first time with the current Corsa. In addition, there are numerous advanced assistance systems, such as Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking and pedestrian detection, as well as radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control, which make driving even safer and more relaxed. At 4.06 meters long, the handling, design and functionality of the five-seat Corsa remain exemplary. The coupe-like roofline is 48 millimeters lower than its predecessor, without sacrificing headroom. The driver sits 28 millimeters lower. The low center of gravity improves driving. The latest Corsa is more direct and dynamic to offer more driving pleasure. With this successful combination, the small vehicle with the Blitz has once again become the most popular and best-selling car in its segment in countries such as Germany and Great Britain.
The bestseller of the electric car proves to have an exciting effect on the public in several ways: in Germany the Corsa-e won the “Golden Steering Wheel 2020”, and with a modified Corsa-e Rally it proves itself in motorsport. top performance and environmental friendliness can be combined. With this small, zero-emission vehicle, Opel is the first manufacturer to develop an electric rally car to participate in the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup, the world’s first single-brand electric rally cup, since 2021. the rallies.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
