Opel Corsa: 40 years of innovation for a car that changed history

This 2022 is a special year for Opel. On the other hand, Al-Barq Company celebrates 160 years of introducing innovation and modernity in each of its vehicles. On the other hand, within these ceremonies there is a pattern that acquires special significance in these 12 months: the Corsica. The German city celebrates its fortieth anniversary Which shows that the frightening crisis of the forties can be implemented in a more than satisfactory way.

Since the first Corsa A rolled off the assembly line in 1982, no less than 14 million units, making it one of the best-selling cars in history and one of the three most popular city/service commercial vehicles. A car that also has a Spanish accent because all generations have it Manufactured almost exclusively at the Zaragoza factory in Figuerolas (It was also produced in Eisenach) and thus became a very important asset for Spanish industry. This success is due in large part to Many developments in the latest technologies that have been introduced in different generations From Corsa and in many cases this was only available in vehicles of higher segments. Among other things, we talk about elements that include safety and assistance systems such as ABS and airbags, as well as a front camera with distance indicator, traffic light recognition, lane maintenance assistance, and, more recently, Intelli-Lux LED Adaptive Matrix Lamp. Now in its sixth generation, the bestselling book shows just how much future proof it is thanks to, among other things, Its zero-emissions version Corsa E Released in 2019.

A review of the history of Corsa

Before going into details, it is acceptable to make a brief analysis of how to use a file The path of the model that marked history Both from Opel and from our market. Corsa A, actually designed by Erhard Schnell Break records in part thanks, among other things, to its sporty appearance and low aerodynamic coefficient (0.36). Among the most distinguished versions were the GSi with a capacity of 100 CV, sedan and two-door body. In total, 3.1 million units were sold between 1982 and 1993. The success that gave way to the Corsa B, created under a pencil Legendary Opel designer Hideo Kodama, offers a rounder and more attractive product. Among his technical innovations was ABS brakes, side impact protection and front airbags. Sales exceeded 4 million thanks, among other things, to the management of new fuel injection and catalytic converters for gasoline engines, a turbodiesel or a 16-valve GSi.

Kodama has repeated himself as the designer of The third installment with the principle: Do not change what gave you success. What the Corsa C has done is grow to be about 4 meters tall, which also provides a much larger cabin. For the first time, the body was completely galvanized. ECOTEC’s advanced four-valve petrol engines and new direct-injection turbocharged engines ensure high power, low fuel consumption and lower emissions. In total, 2.5 million units were sold. Since then and for the fourth generation, Opel has decided to return to Three-door and five-door separate body styles. More athletic and youthful, the first, and more familiar with the second, they premiered ecoFLEX technology with Start / Stop and engines that spend just over 3.3 l / 100 km (Case 1.3 CDTI) emits only 88 g/km of CO (values ​​in NEDC).

The 2.9 million units of this fourth batch gave way, in 2014, to the fifth generation, marked by the introduction of eMore complete equipment With elements of higher classes such as automatic climate control, the IntelliLink multimedia system with a 7-inch screen or heated seats and steering wheel. In total, 1.3 million units were sold.

Corsa with more spark

Thus, until the sixth chapter appeared in 2019, the Corsa F was developed under New platform, CMP EMP1, fully modular With the option to fully integrate electromechanics. This is how Born Corsa Ewith an all-electric drivetrain declaring up to 136 hp and thanks to its 50 kWh battery it far exceeds 350 km from independence In a mixed cycle under WLTP measurement. In addition, it supports loads in direct current up to 100 kW. Added to this are highly efficient combustion mechanics with 100 and 130 hp in the case of PureTech petrol or 130 hp in the BlueHDi, to choose from with a manual or automatic transmission.

No matter which option is chosen, the driver will always drive the Corsa, because both in terms of aesthetics and in terms of habitability (with a trunk of about 300 liters), they are all the same. The salient feature is A great gift of security for a Class B carStanding out above all else is the adaptive Intelli-Lux LED Matrix light, unparalleled in this category. It is joined by other advanced assistance systems such as Forward Collision Alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection or radar-based adaptive cruise control.

40th Anniversary Edition

Now, to celebrate this 40-year milestone, Opel is releasing a special edition called Corsa 40 years old, only 1982 units will be produced for the whole world. Each one will be numbered with its own plate (from 0001 to 1982) and presented under a new body color called Rekord Red which refers to the red used in the original Corsa A. A tone that stands out even more thanks to the black roof detailing, badges and the model name on the tailgate. The same bright tone found on the 17-inch alloy wheels with gray inserts, complementing the exterior look.

Inside, the Corsa 40 Years shows a funky style, similar to that of its first generation, thanks above all to a modern interpretation. The original upholstery of the Scottish picture chairs known as tartan. Designed so that their drivers can also be dressed up as socks thanks to the included pairs as standard with the legendary print. In addition, this special series offers many elements of comfort and safety equipment as standard: a 7-inch touch screen with a multimedia system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection .. Available on all engines in the range, prices start at €21,440 for the petrol and €35,230 for the Corsa-e, both of which will be ordered separately. Exclusively online and instant delivery.

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