Test drive Opel Corsa: small, but remote

The Opel Corsa model returns to Ukraine again, opening the doors to the European B-class for the brand. Moreover, the novelty came out so successful that it can claim the status of one of the segment leaders. Which, however, does not mean the absence of problems: they are. Which ones - I will tell in the article, as well as talk about the key advantages of the car. Go!

 Positioning Opel Corsa

 A compact hatchback of the traditional European B-class. This is how the Opel Corsa has always been - for almost 40 years of its history. During this time, six generations of the model came out: the freshest appeared last year, to which a separate material was devoted. And believe me, we will return to it more than once.

 The article presents the Opel Corsa F car - the letter clearly indicates the sixth generation of the model, which has been produced for almost 40 years: the first-born appeared in 1982. Since then, the Corsa has grown in size, engine power, equipment list, but the essence has remained the same: a small B-class hatchback.

 How does the Opel Corsa hatchback drive?

 Unexpectedly driving great. During the first test drive, the GSi Line version fell into my hands: on the one hand, I remember it with a 130-horsepower engine and an 8-speed. Automatic transmission, but on the other hand - upset with rigidity and rolling noise of the wheels. The combination of a 1.2-liter "turbo" and a modern "automatic" is still good - the car accelerates confidently to the odd chirping of the engine, up / down shifts are quick and imperceptible. The engine's power and thrust are enough for acceleration from traffic lights among the first, and for a confident drive on the highway at speeds up to 120-130 km / h (although not particularly higher). I am pleased with the setting of the reaction to the accelerator pedal: I have already observed several times that the setting for Opel cars is something between the "normal" and "sport" modes for Peugeot / Citroen cars. As a result, for every touch of the accelerator, the new Opel Corsa immediately responds with acceleration - and this subconsciously gives the perception of greater dynamics than it actually is (see the measurement below). By the way, the Opel Corsa class itself, as well as the low seating position of the driver, works on the perception of dynamics and speed: at city speeds it seems that you are almost flying. Larger, massive, heavy vehicles hide speed. But the Opel Corsa flaunts it.

 But what surprised me most about the Opel Corsa's last test drive was the performance of the suspension and tires. I expected stiffness and noise - but I got quite acceptable comfort: the novelty normally passes most of the holes and irregularities, does not give painful blows or any knocks. And when the wheels roll, the noise is hardly noticeable. In this case, we should say "thank you" to the quiet tires. Since if there are pebbles on the road, they instantly "give off" with a resounding clatter on the wheel arches: the sound insulation of the latter is still unimportant. At the same time, the car has not lost its groovy character in terms of control: it clearly follows the commands, responds well and quickly to the steering wheel - which, by the way, is quite light. It looks like the compact dimensions, low body height, and overall lightness have done their job - even with a relatively fast drive, there is little heel and unnecessary swing. Summing up the results in one phrase, I will say this: it is pleasant to "nimble" on the Opel Corsa. It does not rush at breakneck speed (this is not a “hot” and not even a “warmed up” hatchback), namely to go a little faster than usual - here it accelerated more actively, then turned sharper. Class!

 Looks okay, solid, laconic - and rides the same way: youthful "live" character. Even in the "eco" mode, which only slightly cuts back the dynamics, but does not turn the Opel Corsa into a "brake brick" at all. And already in the "sport" -mode, everything becomes quite fun: more active acceleration, higher engine speed. Having driven so well on the Opel Corsa, then you will not believe in the acceleration of 0-100 km / h in 9.9-10 seconds (for a second worse than the passport) - the car is perceived as a more dynamic "lively". But most of all I was pleased with the work of the suspension and premium tires on 16 rims: initially I expected more rigidity and noise - but as a result, the new Opel Corsa showed a very clear chassis balance.