The sixth generation (F) of the Opel Corsa , and the German brand did not shy away from anticipating one of its main characteristics: weight loss. Opel promises up to 108 kg less than its predecessor, with the lighter variant falling below the 1000 kg barrier — 980 kg to be precise.
The origins of the Opel Corsa platform currently for sale (E) go back to the early years of this century — the Corsa D was launched in 2006. A project developed between GM and Fiat, which would give rise to the GM Fiat Small Platform or GM SCCS, which in addition to the Corsa (D and E), it would also serve as the basis for the Fiat Grande Punto (2005) and consequent Punto Evo and (simply) Punto.
Following the acquisition of Opel by Groupe PSA, the successor to the Corsa, which was already at an advanced stage of development, was canceled so that the new generation could take advantage of PSA's hardware — minus a license to be paid to GM.
Thus, the new Opel Corsa F will use the same platform that we saw making its debut on the DS 3 Crossback and which also serves the new Peugeot 208, the CMP.
The most tangible benefit already disclosed is that of a lower weight, as we have already mentioned, with the future Corsa losing around 10% of its current weight . An expressive difference, considering that it is a car with compact dimensions and should include technological, comfort and added safety equipment.
The “body-in-white”, ie the body structure, weighs less than 40 kg. For this result, Opel uses several types of high and ultra rigid steel, as well as new bonding techniques, optimization of load paths, structure and shape.
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Further reductions were achieved thanks to the use of an aluminum bonnet (-2.4 kg) — only the Insignia has such a feature on the Opel — and front (-5.5 kg) and rear (-4.5 kg) seats more light. Also the engines, with aluminum blocks, contribute up to 15 kg less in weight. Soundproofing is also made by lighter materials.
Weight reduction, on paper, is always good news. A lighter car brings advantages in terms of dynamics, performance, and even in terms of consumption and CO2 emissions, as there is less mass to transport.
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Opel's efforts to reduce the weight of its models have been notorious — both the Astra and Insignia are substantially lighter than their predecessors, 200 kg and 175 kg (200 kg for the Sports Tourer), respectively, with benefits that hence it comes.
Corsa Eléctique, a first
As we saw in the Peugeot 208, the future Opel Corsa will also have combustion engine variants — petrol and diesel — and a 100% electric variant (to be launched in 2020), something that happens for the first time in the history of the Corsa.
In the first teaser of the new Opel Corsa, the German brand introduced us to its optics, which will debut in the segment, headlamps IntelliLux LED Matrix. These headlights always work in “high beam” mode, but to avoid dazzling other drivers, the system permanently adjusts the light beams to traffic conditions, turning off the LEDs that fall on areas where other cars drive.