Opel has entered a new dawn with its Corsa. Not just globally, but in South Africa, as well.
A few years ago, Peugeot and Citroën (PSA) acquired Opel from General Motors. With the acquisition, PSA sought to become one of the world s biggest vehicle producers, and the purchase put them in good stead for an unknown future. But what the group had no doubts about was that Opel s next generation of vehicles would be built on the same platforms as Peugeot and Citroën s next generation of vehicles.
For Opel, especially, this would be a big win because, under GM s ownership, it was left floundering for breathing room and a place in the sun. Locally, Opel almost disappeared into obscurity, overridden by rival automakers. Its products - while good - failed to make it across the advantage line when it came to convincing prospect owners to sign.
FIRST DRIVE | New Opel Corsa gives the VW Polo a run for its money By ZIPHORAH MASETHE - 12 March 2021 The new Opel Corsa is attractive from all angles. Pricing starts at R274,900. Image: Supplied
The new Opel Corsa quietly landed on dealership floors in the fourth quarter of last year.
Attribute the delay in its official launch to pandemic-related hiccups – aside from the idea the brand is still trying to regain its footing, even though it has been almost five years since former parent company General Motors (GM) made that abrupt exit in 2017.
Opel was acquired by French Groupe PSA (Peugeot, Citroën) that year, but the alignment between it and those brands was not especially clear in the context of our market. A rebirth of sorts is imminent and, for many fans, welcomed. The carmaker needs no introduction, with a long and famed history in the local market.
By Motoring Reporter - 12 March 2021 The new Corsa Elegance offers improved performance and added luxury. Image: Supplied
Opel on Thursday confirmed that it is adding two new model derivatives to its sixth-generation Corsa range. Joining the Corsa Edition that was launched earlier this year, the new entry-level Corsa and flagship Corsa Elegance broaden the market appeal of this compact hatchback challenger - a segment of the market where the VW Polo is still king.
Aimed at the budget-conscious buyer, the new base-spec Corsa makes do with the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated motor that s fitted to the mid-range Edition. This means you get 55kW and 118Nm worth of torque. While no fireball of performance, it does promise miserly fuel consumption, with Opel claiming 5.8l/100km on the combined cycle.
FIRST DRIVE | New Opel Corsa finally in SA – the late editions news24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from news24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Opel on Thursday confirmed that it is adding two new model derivatives to its sixth-generation Corsa range. Joining the Corsa Edition that was launched earlier this year, the new entry-level Corsa and flagship Corsa Elegance broaden the market appeal of this compact hatchback challenger - a segment of the market where the VW Polo is still king.