Opel Ireland has launched the new Corsa hatchback in Ireland, and it's the first big launch for a company finding its feet under new management.
Opel now under new management
Late last year, Opel in Ireland shifted ownership from being part of Vauxhall. It's now part of the Gowan Group, which is also the importer for both Peugeot and Honda in Ireland, and Gowan is looking to make a fresh start for Opel. The new Corsa will be a cornerstone of that start.
Based on the same compact car platform as the equally-new Peugeot 208, the Corsa will go on sale in Ireland with three trim levels - SC, Elite, and SRI.- and its engine range will use the familiar PSA Group 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine in naturally aspirated form (with 75hp) and turbo form (with 100hp). There will also be the option of a 1.5-litre diesel engine, but Opel Ireland expects fewer than a third of buyers to go for the black pump option. Opel claims, at any rate, that overall the new Corsa has CO2 emissions some 25 per cent lower than the previous model. thanks largely to more modern, more efficient engines and the fact that overall weight has fallen by 108kg.
Top-spec versions cost more than €23,000
Prices start from €17,795 for a basic 75hp SC, and rise to beyond €23,000 for a top-spec SRI or Elite.
From April onwards, Opel will launch its first electric car in the shape of the e-Corsa, which uses the same 50kWh battery and 136hp electric motor as the Peugeot e-208, and which will go for around 337km on a single charge. Prices for the electric Corsa have not yet been finalised but are likely to be in the region of €27,500 once the SEAI grant and VRT rebate are applied.
Impressive standard safety kit
The Corsa will be well-equipped as standard, which is good considering that its starting price puts it at the upper end of the supermini segment. SC models will come with a five-inch infotainment screen, height adjustable driver's seat, LED headlamps, and manual air conditioning as standard. Significantly, all models will get a comprehensive safety pack that includes speed sign recognition, smart speed limiter and cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and active lane-keeping assistant.
SRI models will get stiffer suspension and a Sport Mode for throttle response and steering, plus 16-inch alloys, sports exterior styling, and keyless entry and ignition.
Go for a top-spec Elite and you'll get adaptive cruise control, 'Matrix' LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, driver drowsiness alert, and heated seats and steering wheel.
James Brooks, Managing Director at Leeson Motors, Opel Importer in Ireland said: "The arrival of the award-winning, all-new Corsa marks a new departure for the Opel brand in Ireland. It is the first new Opel model to market since Opel Ireland was acquired by the Gowan Group and internationally, it is the first new Opel model produced under the the PSA Group."
He continued: "A recipe for success, the new Opel Corsa combines high everyday practicality with top technologies, economy, an exciting design plus lots of fun behind the wheel. Indeed, with the new Corsa, Opel is delivering on a promise to make top technologies available to a wide range of buyers, at affordable prices. It represents a huge opportunity to us, as the first new model in what promises to be an exciting produce pipeline over the next eighteen months."