Vauxhall has released these images and some information about the fourth generation Corsa ahead of its Autumn launch.
This Corsa is an all new model. The chassis, all body panels and the vast majority of the interior is new. It's the first Corsa to have been penned by Mark Adams, Vauxhall/Opel's design wunderkind, who has already designed the Adam and Cascada.
As such the Corsa gets a similar front end to the Adam, which didn't go down too well when I published photos of it on the Speedmonkey Facebook page.
Thing is, though, Corsa buyers tend not to be petrolheads. It's consistently the second best selling car in its class, behind the all conquering Fiesta which has been praised to the heavens for it's handling, engines and dynamics - if not its looks.
Across 2013 83,000 Corsas were sold. Over the past 32 years more than 12 million Corsas have been sold, although that figure includes its old UK nameplate - Nova.
The new car is the same size as the outgoing model. It gets a range of new engines, including the 3-cylinder 1-litre ECOTEC petrol engine which Vauxhall hopes will rival Ford's Ecoboost in terms of popularity and sales.
Vauxhall aims to target the Fiesta in terms of the Corsa's ability to go round corners. The chassis has been designed with "...an emphasis on exceptional rolling refinement, ride quality, precise handling and stability," and, "Understeer has been reined in and friction dialled out of the system, allowing drivers a smoother, yet more precise command of the car’s steering."
Speedmonkey readers may not have been impressed with the Corsa's looks but it does look OK when compared to its rivals and if it handles like Vauxhall say it does, and the engines are amongst the most efficient, and if Vauxhall prices it sensibly (and doesn't rely too much on discounting) it should be a success.
On a final note it's worthwhile pointing out that the 5-door will be made in Spain and the 3-door in Germany. Make of that what you will but if I bought one it'd be the 3-door.
By Matt Hubbard
