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• July 2006: Fourth generation Corsa celebrates world premiere at British International Motor Show in London
• For all customer groups: As a coupé-like three-door or family-friendly five-door model, as a highly efficient ecoFLEX version or as the most powerful Corsa OPC
• Innovative solutions: With integrated FlexFix carrier system, DualFloor load compartment, AFL cornering lights and numerous personalisation options
• Stylish, powerful, forward-looking: Corsa YES special edition now and soon pure electric power with the new Corsa GSE

Combined values for Opel Mokka GSE according to WLTP¹: energy consumption 18.5 kWh/100 km, CO₂ emissions 0 g/km; CO₂ label: A

Rüsselsheim.  The success of the Opel Corsa, Germany’s best-selling small car for more than five years in a row, has many faces. It was recently launched as an exclusive YES special edition, and coming this year a powerful, all-electric GSE variant will follow. This keeps the Corsa relevant and highly popular with customers. In addition, to the numerous current reasons for its ongoing success some lay in its history. And one of them is the Opel Corsa D. Exactly 20 years ago, the fourth generation of the stylish, practical small car was launched. While the first Corsa had revolutionised the small car segment at its premiere in 1982, the Corsa D continued this recipe for success from July 2006 onwards – more modern, fresher and more powerful than ever.

With a completely new design — dynamic and unmistakable at the same time — the fourth Corsa generation celebrates its premiere at the British International Motor Show 2006. The three- and five-door models present themselves as two independent variants which are both full of clever innovations, such as the intelligent FlexFix rear carrier system. At the same time, the Corsa D shows that Opel has mastered the ‘extremes’ of customer demands. On the one hand, the manufacturer presents a real fuel-saving star with the Corsa ecoFLEX, which requires only 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres (according to NEDC). At the upper end of the performance spectrum, Opel launches the Corsa OPC ‘Nürburgring Edition’ for thrill-seekers, the most powerful Corsa to date! But there’s even more to come: In just a few months, the new Opel Corsa GSE will be available. With a exhilarating 207 kW (281 hp) and 345 Newton metres of torque, the high-performance electric car will offer even more powerful and pure locally emissions-free driving pleasure.

World premiere in 2006: Fourth Corsa generation programmed for success

Striking contours and a mischievous smile on its face – the appearance of the fourth generation Opel Corsa in 2006 is unmistakable, but at the same time gives owners plenty of room for personalisation. Whether as a sporty three-door or a family-friendly five-door version, its dynamic lines make the Corsa, which has grown to a length of 3.999 metres, a real eye-catcher. Above all, the cheeky three-door model is not stingy with emotions: sharp shapes, pronounced shoulder lines and a coupé-like roof contour give it an energetic appearance. The five-door model also has a clear character: with its longer roofline and large windows, the vehicle combines compact dimensions and a distinctly dynamic exterior with a high level of spatial comfort.

Furthermore, state-of-the-art chassis and drive technology translates the sporty character of the small Opel into extraordinarily agile handling and high steering precision. The speed-dependent electric power steering contributes to this in particular. The Corsa Sport also offers an exclusive novelty in its segment featuring a steering system with a progressively variable characteristic curve, which reacts even more directly when the steering angle increases, thus promising a sports car feeling. Short, crisp shift travels and superior brakes round off the dynamic driving experience.

Small car pioneer: Innovative solutions such as FlexFix, DualFloor and AFL light

For the Corsa engineers, making innovations available in the small car segment also applies to flexibility in the fourth generation of the bestseller: With practical solutions such as the unique FlexFix carrier system, the car achieves a higher level of versatility. If Corsa drivers want to take their bicycles with them on trips, they no longer need to laboriously mount a bicycle rack on the roof. Instead, they always have an integrated carrier. The system can be pulled out of the rear underbody like a drawer and the bikes can be fixed on it. If the carrier is not needed at the destination or in everyday use, it disappears back into the bumper. FlexFix thus ensures full on-board flexibility.

This is also increased by the adjustable DualFloor load compartment, which was new for the Corsa at the time. The floor, which can be fixed in two positions, allows the luggage compartment to be divided horizontally and – in the upper position and with the rear seat backrest folded down – a floor that is level throughout up to the backrests of the front seats. Also making their debut in the Corsa class are the AFL cornering lights, the automatic light control system that switches on or off automatically using sensors, and the heated steering wheel – features that make driving more comfortable, relaxed and safer at any time of the day or year. The developers have also taken the personal comfort of different people driving the same Corsa into consideration: individual settings for air conditioning, infotainment and the display can be saved for up to five users – and easily activated via the vehicle key.

Corsa generation of extremes: From fuel-saving artist to powerful OPC

When it comes to maximum efficiency, the magic word for the fourth generation Corsa is ‘ecoFLEX’. At the time, Opel awarded this seal to particularly efficient models. With ecoFLEX technology, the Corsa gets start/stop systems and highly efficient engines; as a 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, the small car thus only needs 3.3 litres of diesel in combined consumption, which corresponds to CO₂ emissions of only 88 grams per kilometre (according to NEDC).

At the same time, Opel also proves that even a small car can get pulses racing and offer driving pleasure in its purest form. In 2007, the brand presents the Corsa OPC with 141 kW (192 hp) and 266 Newton metres of torque. With a dark-contrasting diffuser, striking gills, powerful front and rear aprons and a roof spoiler, the OPC shows at first glance what drivers can expect. But the end of the line has not yet been reached. In 2010, the Corsa OPC ‘Nürburgring Edition’ follows. For many years, it remains the most powerful Corsa. Its characteristics: 154 kW (210 hp), 280 Newton metres of torque, from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 230 km/h! The newly developed Bilstein performance chassis and the special high-performance braking system from Brembo bring the power safely to the road. And for all those who prefer a more discreet sportiness with superior power delivery, Opel has the Corsa GSi on offer. With 110 kW (150 hp) and a top speed of 210 km/h, it closes the gap between the ‘ordinary’ production Corsa and the high-performance OPC variant.

With this selection, it is no wonder that the Corsa D has been collecting awards throughout Europe from the very beginning. In Great Britain, it becomes ‘Supermini Car of the Year’. It is also voted ‘Car of the Year’ in Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia and wins the ‘Autobest 2007’ award. The success is also reflected in the registration figures: for a time, it becomes the best-selling small car in Germany and also leads the segment in other countries.

Successful into the future: With the Corsa YES and the new Corsa GSE

This is exactly what today’s Corsa generation does like no other. It combines comfort with practicality, sportiness with efficiency and offers customers new attractive variants again and again. One example is the current Opel Corsa YES special edition. With extraordinary paint finishes such as Koral Orange, the successful small car is fresher than ever and makes a colourful statement. In addition, the interior comes with colour-coordinated accents as well as other high-quality standard components from digital displays in every drive variant to the vegan leatherette steering wheel.

And while the fourth-generation Corsa OPC was the most powerful Corsa for a long time, it will lose this title later this year. Customers will soon be able to experience goosebumps, speed and electric emotions with the new all-electric Opel Corsa GSE – just as the three letters promise. With 207 kW (281 hp) and 345 Newton metres of torque, it will offer as much electric power as the already available Opel Mokka GSE. At the same time, the future top version of Germany’s most popular small car will be even more dynamic. With an acceleration of just 5.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h², the high-performance Corsa pushes its driver into the GSE Performance seat more vehemently than any other Opel production model at the moment. This is locally emissions-free driving pleasure in its purest form!

^[1] The values of a vehicle depend not only on the efficient use of fuel by the vehicle, but are also influenced by driving behaviour and other non-technical factors.

^[2] All data are provisional. Vehicle not yet homologated and not yet available.