All-new Vauxhall Corsa supermini could be one of the first major products to appear under the company’s French ownership
Vauxhall will completely overhaul its next generation of Corsa, which is being developed in partnership with new owners PSA Peugeot Citroen and the next-generation Peugeot 208. The finishing touches are being applied to the all-new model ahead of its debut late next year, before it goes on sale in early 2019.
The current Corsa was launched in 2014, but despite being labelled as a brand-new model, it was, in essence, a reskinned version of the previous supermini. It was based on the same chassis, boasted almost identical dimensions and even looked largely the same as the model it replaced.
However, that is all about to change with the fifth-generation Corsa, which will be one of the first major model launches from Vauxhall since PSA announced its planned purchase of the brand in March. Development of the car has been under way for some time, but Auto Express understands the car will be based on a new PSA platform called CMP (Common Modular Platform), which will also underpin the all-new Peugeot 208. The Citroen C3, which launched last year, has stuck with older chassis. It’s understood that the new Corsa will also be built alongside the Peugeot – either at PSA’s Poissy or Mulhouse plants in France where the current 208 is produced.
More interestingly, the new platform has been developed with electrification in mind, and PSA bosses have previously expressed a strong interest in developing a fully electric version of the next 208. However, there’s no word on whether Vauxhall will follow the same lead. As well as opening new possibilities in terms of powertrains, the new platform will bring big benefits when it comes to practicality, too. As illustrated by our exclusive images, the next Corsa will grow significantly in size, featuring a longer wheelbase for more passenger and boot space. Capacity should rise significantly over the current model’s 280-litre load area.
There’s also the possibility Vauxhall could drop the three-door body in light of declining sales; the only prototypes spotted so far have been practical five-door models.
Another advantage for the CMP platform is it will be a lighter and more economical vehicle. PSA will be looking to bring significant weight savings with the platform, just as Vauxhall did with the new architecture for the latest Astra. It’s feasible that the next Corsa could shed between 80-100kg in weight, depending on the spec.
The engine range is also likely to be made up exclusively of PSA powertrains, which will be shared with the 208. A new generation of the BlueHDi diesel, which will downsize from a 1.6 to a 1.5-litre engine, should offer power outputs ranging from around 75bhp to 120bhp, with CO2 emissions as low as 75g/km. However, it’s unknown if they will be offered in the UK. PSA’s PureTech petrol engine will also get a refresh, with the three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbos offering improved performance and efficiency. A more potent 1.6-litre turbo will also be made available to Vauxhall if it chooses to develop a Corsa VXR hot hatch.
While the vast majority of the running gear will be shared across the 208 and Corsa, Vauxhall will have its own say in terms of interior and exterior design.
Autoexpress fa il punto della situazione della nuova Corsa, dati i tempi ristrettissimi ( la finalizzazione dell'accordo è prevista per fine 2017, la nuova Corsa dovrebbe uscire nel 2019) Opel utilizzerà solo componentistica PSA e ci saranno degli input da Rüsselsheim ma niente di più. Curiosamente Opel compra componenti europei solo per il 42% delle proprie vetture, PSA per il 95%, secondo Tavares passare ad una piattaforma francese permetterebbe enormi risparmi. Il progetto Corsa è fondamentale per la nuova alleanza, se riescono ad avere successo potrebbe essere un ottimo viatico per i futuri modelli come l'Astra del 2021. La dirigenza francese sembra molto ottimista, vedremo.
|