The Corsa, Vauxhall's second best-selling model after the Astra, and a near-permanent fixture in the UK's top-three best sellers' list, has now adopted many of the premium styling cues from other recently launched Vauxhalls, such as the Insignia, Astra and Meriva.
Styled by Niels Loeb, Vauxhall/Opel's Chief Exterior Designer working in Brit, Mark Adams' design team, the new Corsa features a signature chrome bar, carrying the new Griffin badge, stretching across the front grille, while a re-styled front bumper with a more prominent, wider lower grille gives the Vauxhall Corsa a smiling appearance.
Framing the Vauxhall Corsa's new face are 'Eagle-Eye' headlamps, which have also made an appearance on the recently launched Meriva. The units have a chrome finish and include daytime running lights as standard across the range. New chrome-finished fog lamps and housings complete the picture at the front of the car.
Complementing the Vauxhall Corsa's fresh look are five new exterior colours in the range. Lime Green pearlescent and Chilli Orange metallic enhance the car's new look, with Guacamole - a solid hue - completing the pallet of all-new Vauxhall colours. Sunny Melon (a bright yellow) makes a welcome return to the Vauxhall Corsa range, while Pepperdust metallic is carried across from the new Meriva range.
Vibrant new colours also dominate the Vauxhall Corsa's cabin, with seat trims such as Steel Blue and Tabasco Orange brightening the interior, accompanied by a range of different coloured door trims, centre consoles, air vent rings and door handles.
Also inside, is Vauxhall's new optional Touch & Connect multi-media system, which replaces the existing CD60 unit. Touch & Connect uses a five-inch touch screen display featuring both 2D and 3D maps for the navigation system, as well as a CD/tuner, aux-in, USB and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.
Outside, the new Vauxhall Corsa benefits from new 16-inch alloy wheels on both SE and SXi models, while the 192PS VXR receives the option of a new 18-inch alloy wheel, modelled on the design of the optional 20-inch wheel worn by the Insignia VXR.
Vauxhall Corsa's new appearance complements recent upgrades to chassis and powertrain
With its fresh new look, the Vauxhall Corsa is now a very different car to the one on sale a year ago. Before the latest exterior and interior design changes were made, the Corsa had already benefited from a long list of significant upgrades to its chassis and powertrains. For example, certain ecoFLEX engines now feature Vauxhall's Start/Stop technology, which has reduced emissions on the 1.3 CDTi (95PS) ecoFLEX model to just 94g/km, combined with fuel consumption of 91.1mpg on the government's extra urban cycle (78.5mpg combined).
To maintain its success in the small-car class, Vauxhall's engineers also made important revisions to the car's steering and suspension set-ups. Softer springs were employed in the front suspension, mated to an anti-roll bar with new bushes and an increased diameter, improving ride and control characteristics.
Complementing this were revised damper settings all round, an optional re-tuned ESP system and enhanced steering geometry, ensuring that the Vauxhall Corsa remained as pleasurable to drive as it was economical to own.
Pricing
The new Vauxhall Corsa range starts at £9995, based on 2011's 20 per cent VAT rate. However, setting aside the 2.5 per cent VAT increase, which will apply to all cars from January 4, 2011, new Corsa prices have only risen by between £60 and £75, depending upon model and, reflecting the exterior and cabin enhancements on all models in the range. A full current price list, based on 20 per cent VAT, is attached.
DESIGN
To achieve the sporty new stance both upper and lower grilles have been re-proportioned. The lower grille has been made wider and taller visually adding width, while the upper grille has been revamped to incorporate a three-dimensional mesh design similar to that used on the Astra. The Griffin now appears encased within a chrome signature bar replacing the previous 'V' grille design, giving the car a more modern feel, bringing it into line with the rest of the Vauxhall family.
Framing the Corsa's fresh new face are 'Eagle Eye' chrome encrusted headlights which feature Vauxhall's signature wing-shaped daytime lamps. Add new vertically stacked fog lamp units with integrated chrome blade and the Corsa's new face becomes more premium and expressive
Further enhancements to the exterior come with the addition of five new and exciting exterior colours. Metallic newcomers Chilli Orange and Pepperdust are offered alongside the pearlescent Lime Green and solid Guacamole and Sunny Melon. When coupled with expressive new interior trim choices the Corsa's youthful character is evident for all to see.
Inside, the layout of the dashboard has been retained, but the surface treatments have been the subject of noticeable upgrades in quality and appearance. The introduction of a variety of finishes, fabrics, and colours in both seat trim, centre console and surrounds offer customers the opportunity to personalise their space. With the exception of the Expression and S models, all Corsas now have the option of "Touch & Connect", a multi-media touch screen unit which combines a state of the art navigation system with full IPOD, USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
Available on the mid-range Exclusiv model, the all new Reflection cloth can be chosen in either classic charcoal, bold Steel Blue or vibrant Tabasco Orange with centre consoles being offered in either matt chrome or striking pearl white. Colour co-ordinated instrument panels, door handles and air vent rings complete the look.
The up-market improvements continue with the introduction of new alloy wheels. The SE and SXi models benefit from a new 16-inch multi-spoke item, while the high performance VXR receives a newly designed 18-inch alloy modeled on the 20-inch wheel currently worn by the Insignia VXR
Complementing the new Vauxhall Corsa range is the Limited Edition model, which is now available in Sunny Melon/Black Sapphire and Flame Red/Black Sapphire, as well as the Glacier White/Black Sapphire found on the outgoing model. Limited Edition cars benefit from a VXR styling kit, which includes front lower spoiler and side sills, rear roof spoiler and lower side skirts, and black, 17-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels. The Limited Edition model is available with either the 1.2-litre petrol or 1.3-litre CDTi diesel engine.