EURO FIGHTER - Opel Corsa Mk 6
This is the new Corsa and its better than ever
Although it’s only scheduled for a grand debut later this year, it appears that images of the upcoming sixth-generation Opel Corsa have leaked onto the internet.
This new Corsa, will actually be the first Corsa to ride on a PSA platform, and will share its underpinnings with the Citroen DS3 Crossback and the new Peugeot 208. And if you’re asking why a Citroen and a Peugeot, then we would like to remind you that Opel is now owned by PSA Peugeot-Citroen, meaning all future Opels will share its platform, electronics, and mechanicals with its new French cousins. Despite this, the development process has remained at Opel’s base of operations in Russelsheim, and the Corsa will be built at Opel’s Zaragoza facility in Spain.
The new Corsa has a far more conventional shape than its angled predecessor. It’s also much lower overall (down 48mm) than the Mk 5, the intention being to improve dynamics by lowering the centre of gravity and sitting the driver lower in the car to enhance the sense of comfort. It’s also said to weigh over 100 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model, and this translates to improvements in both agility and efficiency.
Opel has endowed it with a sharper steering, and a reduced turning radius, meaning it should be a better city car than before. It is also more spacious than before, thanks to its longer wheelbase, whilst luggage capacity has improved from 285 litres to 309 litres. The new Corsa will also usher in matrix-LED headlights – a first for the supermini segment.
In terms of powertrains, there are expected to be petrol, diesel and electric versions on offer. The petrol offering will be a turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2-litre engine available in a variety of tunes, the diesel offering with be a 1.5-litre turbodiesel, and there will be a fully-electric version based on the Peugeot e-208 as well. There will be a handful of available transmissions too, ranging from manuals to six-speed and eight-speed automatics.
The new Opel Corsa is expected to bow at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, before going on sale in Europe before the end of 2019. Expect it to reach South Africa in the first half of 2020, with pricing and final specification set to be announced closer to its local introduction.
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 Mk 6 cost in South Africa?
The sixth-generation Opel Corsa starts from around R389,900 for the base 1.2-litre petrol model, with higher-spec variants reaching up to R459,900 for the fully loaded version with all the bells and whistles.
Q: Is the Opel Corsa Mk 6 worth buying?
Absolutely, the new Corsa is a cracking little hatchback that punches well above its weight class with premium features like matrix-LED headlights, excellent build quality thanks to PSA engineering, and impressive fuel economy from the 1.2-litre turbo engine.
Q: What engine options are available in the Opel Corsa Mk 6?
The Corsa Mk 6 comes with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine available in different power outputs, plus there's a 1.5-litre turbodiesel option and even a fully electric e-Corsa variant based on the Peugeot e-208 platform.
Q: How much boot space does the new Opel Corsa have?
The sixth-generation Corsa offers 309 litres of boot space, which is a decent improvement over the previous model's 285 litres, making it quite practical for weekend getaways or your weekly grocery haul.
Q: What are the main improvements in the Opel Corsa Mk 6?
The new Corsa sits 48mm lower for better handling, weighs over 100kg less than the old model, features sharper steering with a tighter turning circle, and introduces segment-first matrix-LED headlights that make it feel properly premium.
Should You Buy It?
The best European supermini under R400,000 in South Africa is definitely the Opel Corsa Mk 6. At R389,900 for the entry-level model, you're getting French engineering reliability, German build quality, and features that shame cars costing R100,000 more. The 1.2-litre turbo engine delivers punchy performance with excellent fuel economy, while the lowered stance and improved dynamics make it genuinely fun to drive around Cape Town's mountain passes or Johannesburg's urban jungle. Yes, you should absolutely buy it, especially if you want a premium feel without the premium price tag that comes with German rivals.
