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In Real Life: 2016 Opel Corsa Reviewed

Posted On March 22, 2017

Lerato Sepotokele 0

I’ve recently become a disciple of GM. No, I’m not under spell by my General Manager, and I’m not taking to learn more about the short-lived Genetically Modified. Nope, I’ve fallen in love with the Corsa , a hot hatch built by General Motors’ Germany-based Opel division. The only GM I’ve recognised for the past 18 months – or so.

My Opel Corsa is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that pumps out 110 kW at 5000 RPM and 220 Nm of torque at 3 000 RPM. Bolted to a quick-shifting six-speed manual transmission that spins the front wheels, the turbo four pelts the Corsa from zero to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds and, given enough tarmac, on to a top speed of 210 km/h.

It’s easy to get carried away with power figures because they get tossed around so much in the auto industry. 200, 230, 190, 210; it’s all theoretical until you have your butt in the driver’s seat and your foot buried in the throttle.

Behind the wheel, 207 is about spot on for the Corsa. Remember, it’s the size of a Toyota Etios and it tips the scale at 118kg. Any more power would make the Corsa overwhelming to drive on the street, and any less would make it feel sluggish.

The turbo is what makes the fire-breathing Corsa stand out from its rivals, including the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Polo. In many pocket-sized hot hatches, the engine lacks a pulse until the turbocharger kicks in, it spins itself dizzy in the middle of the torque band, and it wheezes to the rev limiter.

The turbo is what makes the fire-breathing Corsa stand out from its rivals.

The Corsa is quick off the line because the torque comes on relatively early, the engine pulls hard and steady right through the middle of the torque band, and it becomes downright explosive once the tach needle passes the 3,000-rpm mark. It’s like if the four-banger just drank a Big Gulp’s worth of Red Bull after shooting three espressos – if that makes sense.

The Opel Corsa 1.4 T Sport will set you back R225 200

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#Corsa #Opel #Opel Corsa

Posted By

Lerato Sepotokele

Lerato is a B.A. Corporate and Communications graduate from the University of the Free State - our youngest recruit yet - he is also a ranked 2nd Lieutenant within the South African National Defense Force so best believe he'll put to you to place when it to comes to Call of Duty and Saint Seiya. Lerato loves the outdoors, the smell of new gadgets and that of a new car. Since moving to Jozi he's developed a rather unusually new found love for craft beer.