The future queen of hybrid city cars?

Competition is getting tougher and tougher in the city hybrid car market. We can mention Toyota Yaris, Renault 5 E-Tech, Peugeot 208 or even the next MG3. In this forest, the Opel manufacturer, owned by the Stellantis group, relies Challenge your competitors with your city car. Of course we are talking about Corsa which is now available in hybrid version. Can this hybrid Opel Corsa succeed in establishing itself in the market? This is what we will see immediately!

mHEV technology for hybrids from Stellantis

Let’s start straight to the heart of the matter, and what interests us today, viz hybrid engine of our little Corsa. For our test, we were treated to an engine Turbo hybrid 1.2 of 100 hp. It is based on the three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech from the Stellantis group which now offers a chain transmission. For the hybrid segment, this Corsa is minimally equipped 48V battery and an electric motor mounted directly on the gearbox. So we are ahead of the technology a little hybrid. Technology found on many models of Star
The latter allows Corsa drive in 100% electric mode. The battery also assists the combustion engine during start-up and acceleration phases. To recharge the battery, the Corsa uses a regenerative braking system that is quite powerful. If you plan ahead enough, you will almost never be able to brake in town.
As for consumption, Opel announces that compared to the 1.2 100 hp non-electric petrol version, this 100 hp hybrid version saves almost one liter of fuel per 100 km. Our Corsa can achieve between 4.5 and 4.6 l/100 km in the WLTP cycle. Of course we will wait for the tests from the Auto Plus lab. to get the correct answer to the question.

In terms of the gearbox, the two hybrid engines of this Corsa are connected by a six-speed gearbox. Because yes, the Opel Corsa will also be offered with 136 hp hybrid engine from Stellantis which can also be found on the Opel Grandland and Peugeot 208 among others.

Thanks Peugeot for the behavior!

In terms of road manners, the Corsa rather surprised us. Indeed, using the base and chassis of the famous 208 for its precision, The Corsa is very comfortable on the road, with an impressive front end. The engine provides good acceleration as long as we are at the correct engine speed when we press the accelerator pedal. Because yes, often, when we decide to speed up, we feel it some delay between the moment we request the engine and the moment we feel the acceleration. However, there is nothing to prevent.
As for the driving position, we are very well placed in this Corsa. This is partly due to bucket seat which prepares our test model. Seats you’ll find in the highest trims in the Opel range.
The negative point however for older people, the windshield is thin and The interior rearview mirror sometimes blocks our view. As we search for information on the road, you can worry about this retro.

A beautiful sports face

Redesigned since July 2023, Corsa it embodies the new stylistic codes of the Opel brand. Ahead, we see the famous now Opel visor. It is this perfect grille that appeared on the latest Opel Mokka. On either side of this grille, we get new headlights LED matrix in three parts. On this version of the presentation, we are ahead of the Corsa in the Ultimate finish, which is unfortunate. only available in Germany. In France, the top finish is GS finished which shares some design features with the Ultimate finish.
Among other things, you have a black brand logo and a glossy black front shield with honeycomb openings. On either side of the front bumper, there is an air intake dummy which gives a little sporty side. In profile, we find this game and flowing lines, two-tone color and beautiful five-word rhymes. As for the rear, little has changed with the modification except for the new L-shaped lights. As for the trunk, according to the Auto Plus laboratory that carries out its measurements, the Corsa offers 340 liters in a standard configuration, which puts it in the middle of the category.

Inside, this Corsa offers good equipment, including a screen mounted behind the steering wheel. seven inches where it brings together all the information related to driving, in the middle you have a large 10-inch screen that is standard on the GS trim. It welcomes a new interface that is a bit simple, but offers very good fluidity. Opel has not skipped physical buttons and the presence of shortcuts adjust the driving equipment and climate.

Opel attack premium?

When Opel was integrated into the Stellantis group, it was necessary to rethink the position of the brand in the ecosystem of the group. The goal is not to eat the place where another brand is. It is for this purpose that Opel decided to advertise a higher price, placing itself slightly below Peugeot.
As for the Opel Corsa in hybrid version, prices start at €23,700. Sure, it’s €150 more expensive than the Peugeot 208 in the hybrid version, but as a base, the Corsa offers more equipment.