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• Opel will debut its new Corsa in South Africa this year.
• The Corsa will share its underpinnings with the new Peugeot 208.
• The new Corsa has been on-sale in Europe since 2019.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
At some point during 2021, Opel will launch its new Corsa in South Africa. The Corsa is the first Opel product to come off the production line since Opel became part of the PSA (Peugeot Société Anonyme) Group. Consisting of Peugeot and Citroën, the Group acquired Opel from General Motors (GM) a few years ago and made it clear that they are eager to see the brand grow into a profitable venture.
The new Corsa will share its architecture, engines, and gearboxes with the upcoming Peugeot 208, but Opel promises that the Corsa will have its own design and character.
However, eagle-eyed readers and Opel fans will quickly point out that the Corsa had already been launched in 2019. While true, South Africa must wait its turn for this German to make its arrival this year.
Interior explained
The new Corsa's interior is a vast upgrade from the outgoing model's, yet it retains a sense of familiarity that won't alienate owners. Inside, users are treated to a choice of touchscreen infotainment systems, all dependent on the model you choose. These screens range from 5- to 10-inches. The higher-specification models feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a wireless charging pad, USB ports and an AUX input.
From a practical point, the Corsa's boot offers 309 litres of boot space, but increases to 1081L when the rear seats are folded down.
On the engine front, Opel offers the Corsa with a three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine in Europe. Available in different states of tune, the engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox or a six-speed manual transmission. The non-turbo version of the engine produces 55kW, while a turbocharged version offers 74kW and 96kW. Torque for the higher-output engine is rated at 230Nm.
Opel South Africa will announce pricing and specification for the new Corsa closer to the launch date.
