Test drive Opel Corsa 5 doors 2000 - 2003 hatchback

Big surprise

Despite the rather solid age, the second generation of Corsa is still extremely popular, and not only in Europe. Since 1993, about 6 million cars were sold in 80 countries (Corsa was produced at 11 factories in five continents). However, seven years - a bit too much for such a successful car, and the aging Corsa began to lose in the fight against more new models of the main competitors - Fiat Punto, Peugeot 206 or Renault Clio.
 

And in October, European sales of the third generation of the car began - Corsa 3, the official premiere of which took place in Paris. The first steps of the newborn seem promising. In a week of sales of Corsa 3, Opel received 100,000 orders from Europeans for it. For example, in Germany, 30,000 people were immediately in line for a new car.
 

Of course, at General Motors, they knock on wood and say that such a success for them is a big surprise. However, now with a high degree of probability it can be assumed that Corsa 3 will be sold as well as its predecessor. For the GM Corsa today, the main European car: with the help of the third generation of the popular model, Americans hope to hold their positions in the segment, where competition is becoming more and more acute.
 

There are no revolutionary changes in the guise of Corsa - the designer of the car was Hideo Kodam from the company's style center in Rousselheim (the previous Corsa model and Tigra, made on its basis). According to the company representative, the main task was to preserve the general style of the car with an increase in its dimensions and the living space of the cabin.
 

At the same time, Corsa 3 is similar (especially a five -door version) to his older brother - Astra. The body lines are now more drawn and convex, and the front racks smoothly go into the roof - like a large car. The updated front end with a more massive grille of the radiator and sharply defined almond -shaped headlights gives Corsa 3 aggressiveness and dynamism. The bodies of a five-door and three-door versions look as if they had come out from under one stamp. An interesting solution - the rear lights, located unusually high, create a single style element with the glass of the rear door.
 

We can say that Corsa as a whole remained himself. At the same time, he thoroughly swept and noticeably grown. The length, for example, increased by 80 mm (3820 mm). Corsa 3 has the largest wheelbase among classmates - 2491 mm, and more spacious than the predecessor, salon. Wide ruts (1429 mm behind and 1420 mm in front) create the impression that the car is firmly on the legs.
 

The solidity was added not only in appearance: the stiffness of the body for twisting increased by a third. The engine and front suspension are now mounted on a closed subframe, which improved not only strength, but also comfort.
 

The new DSA chassis (Dynamic Safety) allows the car to keep the road perfectly even at high speeds. The creators argue that thanks to the DSA Corsa 3 is the most comfortable model in its class.
 

Three gasoline and three direct injection engines will be installed on different modifications. In all versions of Corsa 3 will remain an economical car. For example, turbodiesels with direct injection spend only 4.7 liters per 100 km with a mixed cycle. The easiest gasoline 3-cylinder engine with a volume of 1 liter and a capacity of 58 hp. Eats 5.6 liters per 100 km. Fans of sports driving will choose a loaded 1.8 liter motor with a capacity of 125 hp, and, accordingly, the version of Corsa GSI. It accelerates to 200 km/h. All engines fit into the Euro IV toxicity standard, which will come into force in 2005.
 

For Corsa 3, three types of transmission are provided. In addition to the traditional five -speed mechanical and four -speed automatic boxes on the new generation, the hybrid version debuts - EasyTronic, a transmission that allows you to select either an economical (fully automatic) mode, or a sporty five -stage manual switching.
 

Additional equipment - as in an expensive car. This is an intelligent transmission Easytronic, and an information and entertainment center with a navigation system, a phone, a cd changer and a radio receiver. The same center determines whether there is a passenger in the front seat, and in accordance with this activates or blocks the control of a pillow. Front and side pillows in front are included in standard equipment along with active head restraints ...
 

Robert Handry, chairman of the board of directors of Opel AG, is sure that the release of the new model will improve the financial situation of the company, although the current year will remain unprofitable. In 2001, the company expects to sell 590,000 new cars in Europe (the peak of sales of the previous model - 736,000 - came in 1997). About 40% of this amount will be a 5-door version.

 
 

Dmitry Polikarpov
 
 

 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 12/2000]