GSI is back! And Opel have finally dropped some engine specifications for its upcoming Corsa GSI.
It looks sporty too, scoring a sculpted hood, oversized air intakes, prominent roof-mounted spoiler, sporty side sills and a chrome exhaust tip. There’s a red brake calipers too, while it will run on 18-inch alloys wrapped in 215/40 tyres if you tick that option. The interior gets a sports steering wheel and aluminium sport pedals as standard, while Recaro performance seats will be an option.
Powering the sporty hatch is a 1.4-litre turbocharged motor that produces 110kw and 220nm - pretty much the same motor that featured in the 2015 Corsa Sport 1.4T. It's paired with a short ratio 6-speed manual, so 0 to 100kph is done and dusted in 8.9 seconds and it runs to a top speed of 207kph.
The GSI borrows the sporty chassis from the racy OPC so it should have a feeling of nimbleness around corners, and during spirited driving. This is likely to be the last performance model of the current generation Corsa.
Sadly, South Africa didn't get the OPC version of the Corsa E, but this would be a fitting tribute to the Corsa, which gets replaced by the Corsa F (which will ride on a PSA platform) next year.
Opel South Africa have yet to confirm if this model will be made available locally.
Also worth a look: the Opel Corsa and the Opel Corsa: Germany's Favourite Small Car Goes Electric.
FAQ
Q: What does the Opel Corsa GSI cost in South Africa?
Opel South Africa hasn't confirmed local availability or pricing for the Corsa GSI yet, but expect it to slot in around R450,000 to R500,000 if it does arrive, considering the performance upgrades and limited production run.
Q: Is the Opel Corsa GSI worth buying?
If you can get your hands on one, absolutely, the Corsa GSI offers proper hot hatch thrills with 110kW and that OPC chassis for what should be reasonable money compared to German rivals.
Q: What engine does the Opel Corsa GSI have?
The Corsa GSI packs a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 110kW and 220Nm, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox that gets you from 0 to 100kph in 8.9 seconds.
Q: Will the Opel Corsa GSI be available in South Africa?
Opel South Africa hasn't confirmed local availability yet, which is frustrating considering we missed out on the hardcore OPC version, but there's still hope they'll bring this final hurrah to our shores.
Q: How fast is the Opel Corsa GSI?
The Corsa GSI hits 100kph in 8.9 seconds and runs to a top speed of 207kph, making it properly quick for a small hatch without being completely mental on fuel consumption.
Should You Buy It?
The Opel Corsa GSI is a brilliant send-off for the current generation Corsa, offering genuine hot hatch credentials at what should be sensible money. With 110kW on tap, that brilliant OPC chassis, and all the visual drama you need, it's the kind of car that makes every school run feel like a track day. The big problem is we don't know if Opel SA will actually bring it here, which would be a proper shame. If they do and price it around R450,000 to R500,000, snap one up immediately because this is likely your last chance at a proper performance Corsa before everything goes electric. It's not the hardcore OPC we wanted, but it's the enthusiast's Corsa we deserve.
