Vauxhall begins testing Corsa-e electric cutomer rally car

Vauxhall has begun testing a rally variant of the new Corsa-e electric hatchback, making it the first manufacturer to offer customers an electric rally car. Called the Corsa-e Rally, the model will be available to buy from sister-brand Opel’s motorsport division, with the German manufacturer claiming a sub-£46,000 price tag. The cost represents a near-£20,000 increase over the £26,490 starting price of the standard Corsa-e, with the rally model retaining the 50kWh battery and 134bhp, 192lb ft electric motor of the production variant. “We have two objectives”, said Opel Motorsport Director, Jörg Schrott. “Both cars are covering as many miles as possible, in order to gather the maximum amount of data at an early stage. There is no experience of an electric rally car that we could turn to, so initially we had to rely on calculations and simulations. “These are being gradually replaced with real data. Other focuses are on loads and temperature management of the battery, as well as adapting the software. I am pleased to report that our programme is going smoothly.” Rally-spec suspension has been fitted and the body made slightly wider and higher, with a 2mm-longer wheelbase. Few technical details have been revealed, but it’s also expected to be significantly lighter than the standard car. In terms of design, the Corsa-e Rally bears a strong resemblance to its production counterpart, differentiated only by FIA-mandated towing straps, lightweight performance alloy wheels and a prominent decal package. The Corsa-e Rally will compete in the 2020 ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup, a one-make electric race series that will host 15 young rally
Origin: Vauxhall begins testing Corsa-e electric cutomer rally car

Used car buying guide: Vauxhall Tigra

Vauxhall has a habit of pulling a rabbit out of the hat from time to time. Remember the original Zafira with its Flex7 seating system and the Signum with its FlexSpace rear-seat arrangement? You can add another in the shape of the Tigra of 2004-09 – a pretty Corsa-based car with a clever electric folding roof. Forward 15 years and the classifieds, if not exactly wilting under the weight of used Tigras, are at least straining slightly. Prices start at just £500 for runners of all ages and top out at a shade over £3000. Around £1500 is all you need for a clean, well-serviced example from a good home. The model arrived with a choice of two petrol engines: a 1.4 16-valve producing 89bhp and a 1.8 producing 123bhp. A 69bhp 1.3 CDTi diesel followed in 2005. The 1.4 was the best. What it lacks in outright oomph it makes up for by being sweeter, more flexible and considerably more economical than the 1.8. However, it suffers timing chain issues (you can spot a 1.4 a mile off by its tinkling engine) whereas the 1.8 is a straightforward new-belt-at-40,000- miles affair. Those are the engines but the folding roof is why people bought the Tigra – and what a roof. To operate it, you undo a couple of latches, press a button and watch as the motors take over. It should be stowed within 20 seconds. To ensure it folds away neatly, the rear window and pillar drop almost vertically, allowing the roof panel itself to stow unobtrusively above, so preserving boot space. On that point, with the roof folded away, there’s 250 litres of luggage space, while in the closed position, there’s no less than 440 litres. In addition, there’s a shelf behind the front seats (there are no rear seats) that will happily accept 70 litres of luggage or something the size of a sports bag. Allowing for the fact that the roof seals may now be tired, the cabin should be relatively quiet and certainly watertight with the roof up. Over time, body shimmer may have loosened some of the cabin’s fixtures and fittings but otherwise it’s a well-built car that should still feel reasonably tight. The rear Targa-style section of the roof could be specified in either matt metallic Star Silver or in matt Moonland, both of which give the little car a pleasingly sporty and technical appearance. Alternatively, it could be ordered in the car’s body colour, which makes quite an impact. On that point, we found a very pretty 2009-reg 1.4 with 45,000 miles finished all over in yellow, a rare shade, for £2500. Today, trim levels are rather academic but Exclusiv (leather, aircon and alloy-effect touches to the interior) is a good one to shoot for. Sport versions get 16in alloy wheels and a silver Targa-style section. In no way is the Tigra a driver’s car, but as a cheap and attractive hatchback with a difference, it makes a lot of sense. An expert’s view Tim Harrison, founder, Fix My Vauxhall: “I’m an auto electrician and have been working on Vauxhalls since the 1980s. The Tigra’s roof is generally reliable. I can’t think of many issues apart from failure of the pump modulator. Otherwise, being a Corsa under that trick body, the Tigra is a reliable and easy-to-drive car that’s also surprisingly well equipped. I mean, leather, climate control and a Targa-style panel that could be painted in a contrasting colour are pretty impressive on a car costing such little money, even when new. Don’t ignore the diesel. It’s a Fiat engine and pretty tough, as well as economical.” Buyer beware… ■ Engine: The 1.4 suffers timing chain tensioner problems. It’s a common fault and heard as an annoying rattle at tickover that just gets louder over time. Fresh oil every year or 12,000 miles is key to its extended life but they still wear out in the end. Best thing is to have the chain and water pump replaced at purchase. Avoid 1.4 engines with numbers beginning 19F, which may have sub-standard camshafts. The 1.8 uses a belt that should be changed at 40,000 miles. Both engines can suffer uneven running caused by a faulty oxygen sensor and alternator issues at around 70,000 miles. ■ Transmission: If selecting reverse is difficult, suspect worn linkage bushes. Replacement is the only long-term cure. Don’t worry: the 1.8-litre version isn’t missing a sixth gear; it just feels like it needs one because fifth is far too low. It feels notchy as well. ■ Brakes: Check front discs and pads for wear. Ensure the handbrake releases because the rear shoes can stick to the drums in damp weather. Scrutinise workshop invoices for evidence of biennial brake fluid changes. ■ Body: Check the hood cycles correctly and the roof seals fit tightly. Inspect the headlights for misting. ■ Interior: Feel for water ingress via the door-mounted speakers. (Water gets in through the top window seals, runs down the inside of the door and exits near the speakers.) Check the floor for damp caused by water entering via the brake master cylinder, where the rubber mastic bonding it to the
Origin: Used car buying guide: Vauxhall Tigra

Vauxhall to revive VXR performance line with hot Corsa

Vauxhall is planning a revival of its now-dormant performance sub-brand, VXR, and a hot Corsa is on the cards as the next model in the pipeline. Although a source at the firm indicated that Vauxhall’s rival to Ford’s ST and Honda’s Type R is “in a bit of a hiatus now”, Autocar understands company executives are considering a return to the hot hatch sphere in the near future. There was some concern that new owner PSA, engaged in a dramatic profit-driven turnaround of the Luton brand, would consign VXR to the history books. The French firm is yet to officially confirm a new GTI version of the Corsa’s platform-sharing sibling, the Peugeot 208. But bosses are understood to be waiting to decide between petrol or electric propulsion for a new hot supermini, likely based on how sales of the standard electric variant take off. The Corsa is considered the best hope for a revival of VXR on account of its historic sales success in the UK, and in mainland Europe as an Opel. The past three generations of the Corsa have been available with VXR variants. The chosen power source for a new Corsa VXR will hinge on PSA’s decision for the 208 GTi. Our source was keen to point out that the VXR sub-brand is synonymous for being “track focused, a bit lairy and very much hardcore” – qualities that would suggest petrol power is the most natural fit. An output of more than 200bhp would be needed to compete with the best in the small hot hatch sector, the Ford Fiesta ST. A decision has yet to be made on the exact debut date for a performance-oriented Corsa, but insiders suggest nothing will arrive until 2021 at the earliest. The brand is first focusing on rolling out the models that are core to its crucial electrification strategy, including the new Corsa, plug-in hybrid Grandland X and the new Mokka, which is due next year and will join its supermini sibling in being offered as a pure-electric version. Also arriving in 2021 will be an all-new Astra, based on PSA’s modular EMP2 platform, unlike the current GM-developed car. The new Astra will almost certainly include an electric version alongside regular petrol and diesel units, although EMP2 hasn’t been developed to take hybrid
Origin: Vauxhall to revive VXR performance line with hot Corsa

New Vauxhall Corsa: UK pricing and spec details announced

A GM-based Corsa was all but finished by that point and it could have been launched, but the ‘toolbox’ of newly available PSA technology, including access to BEV hardware, plus licensing costs that would have been payable to GM, meant starting again was “a no brainer”, according to Adams. “We hand-picked our most experienced designers and engineers,” said Adams. “This is not a committee car.” He added that Opel’s design and engineering team had learnt new methods on the way but that the company couldn’t work within such a timeframe with every new model. “You’d kill people with the intensity of the work,” he said. PSA sees Vauxhall and Opel as a good fit with its French brands, noting that their respective British and German heritage means they’ll achieve sales volumes in their home markets that Peugeot, Citroën and DS won’t be able to match. PSA CEO Carlos Tavares has overseen a surprising turnaround of fortunes in an extremely short space of time. Opel-Vauxhall returned a £750m profit last year, its first in two decades. That has come from a mix of cost reduction, extra buying power and a reduction in discounting rather than a notable sales increase. Both Adams and new Vauxhall CEO Steve Norman say Opel-Vauxhall has much more autonomy within the PSA Group than under GM, where it made products that sold not only in Europe but also, with Chevrolet, Holden or Buick badging, in other regions. “You can’t micromanage success”, says Adams, who added he was pleased to find that PSA CEO Carlos Tavares was “extremely focused on brand values”. That approach has allowed Opel-Vauxhall to deviate from other PSA brands and inject its own DNA into the Corsa’s design. Deliveries of the new Corsa start at the end of this year in internal combustion form, with the Corsa-e electric variant arriving a few weeks later. The new Corsa-e can be ordered from this week and will cost £26,490 including the government grant. QA with Steve Norman, Vauxhall CEO Is the Corsa representative what of we should now expect from Vauxhall? “It’s what the brand has needed for some years now, and this will be the precursor for the new Mokka, which will be much more radical still in terms of design.” Is it correct that the small platform means a pure-electric option, while large platforms can have a plug-in hybrid powertrain? “For the moment, yes. What’s interesting in the Corsa-e is that there won’t be an option with less than 136bhp. One of the things that concerns people is that Vauxhalls have become a bit staid, and we need to inject something back into it. This will be quite a fast car.” Do you think there’s a shift in how the business runs day to day? “I wasn’t there in the GM days but the people who work for me were – they think the change is total. They are given freedom to act, that’s the big difference.” “When Carlos Tavares entered into this, he was convinced Opel was undersold in Germany and that Vauxhall was undersold in the UK, and on that I think he was right.” Lawrence Allan and Matt
Origin: New Vauxhall Corsa: UK pricing and spec details announced

New Vauxhall Astra: UK prices and specifications revealed

Vauxhall has revealed prices and specification details for its revised Astra line-up, which will be available to order from £18,885 on 1 August. Launched in 2015, the Astra is one of the older models in Vauxhall’s line-up, meaning it was designed and engineered under GM ownership before the brand was taken over by PSA. It’s not possible to install the French firm’s engines in the Astra platform, so separate units bespoke to the Astra have been brought in. The overhauled range kicks off with a three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine in 108bhp, 128bhp and 143bhp forms. The former variant makes 143lb ft of torque, while the latter two put out 166lb ft. All are mated to a six-speed manual and manage between 51.4mpg and 54.3mpg on the WLTP test cycle. Emissions levels range from 94g/km for the 1.5-litre diesel Sports Tourer to 120g/km for a 1.5-litre hatchback with an automatic gearbox. Also available – and not from the usual PSA stable – is a 1.4-litre three-cylinder also putting out 143bhp, but with torque up to 174lb ft, mated exclusively to a seven-step CVT transmission. Diesels are all 1.5-litre units making from 103bhp to 119bhp, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or a new nine-speed automatic. Vauxhall claims up to 64.2mpg combined for the most frugal variant. The range opens at £18,885 for SE trim, with a choice of all three engines and transmissions. SE prices rise to £21,985 for a car equipped with a 1.5-litre diesel unit mated to the nine-speed automatic gearbox. The Astra hatchback can be specified in six further trim packages, with prices ranging from £19,585 for Business Edition Nav to £29,310 for range-topping Ultimate Nav trim with the 1.5-litre diesel unit and automatic gearbox. The Astra Sports Tourer estate is available from £20,355 for SE trim with the 1.2-litre unit, rising to £26,920 for a 1.5-litre diesel-equipped car in SRi Nav trim. Entry-level trim comes equipped as standard with 16in alloy wheels, a 7in colour touchscreen, Bluetooth, air conditioning, cruise control and tinted windows as standard. Business Edition Nav trim adds an adjustable armrest, while SRi gains a front camera system and 17in wheels. On top-spec models, the standard equipment list is much longer, with sports front seats, LED headlamps and an alarm system fitted from mid-range SRi Nav upwards. Top-spec Ultimate Nav gains leather seats, a Bose sound system, heated windscreen, wireless charging and a parking assist package. Across the range, there are mild exterior upgrades aimed at improving aerodynamic performance, including a new engine cover, grille with automatic shutters and “underbody optimisation”. The interior upgrades are focused on improving available kit rather than visual changes. Three new infotainment options, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, are said to be smarter, faster and more intuitive to operate. Safety kit has improved, too, with a new digital front camera allowing greater recognition of hazards and pedestrian detection for the autonomous braking system, while the traffic sign recognition system is enhanced. Deliveries of the new Ford Focus rival are set to begin in
Origin: New Vauxhall Astra: UK prices and specifications revealed

Nearly-new buying guide: Vauxhall Corsa

The Corsa was the UK’s fourth-best-selling new car in June, a position it also holds in the current year-to-date rankings. That’s impressive for a car that, under the skin, dates back to 2006, when it was codenamed the Corsa D. The model under the microscope here is the Corsa E, launched in 2014. The change of letter suggests it was a lot more than a makeover. In fact, apart from some additional stiffening and revised locations for the suspension pick-up points, the platform was as before. Where the model’s step up the alphabet was more than justified was in its new engines and revised steering and suspension tailored for British roads but, most noticeable of all, its change of clothes. Apart from the roof, every panel was new. Inside, the car got a new interior featuring soft-touch plastics, better ventilation controls and a smarter music system. All but the most basic models gained Vauxhall’s IntelliLink infotainment system. Back in 2014, you could have your Corsa with a bewildering range of engines: a couple of naturally aspirated 1.2 and 1.4 petrols, a super-smooth 1.0-litre turbocharged triple in 89bhp and 113bhp outputs, a torquey 1.4 turbo in 99bhp and 148bhp flavours and a pair of fleet-friendly, Euro 6-compliant 1.3 CDTi diesels producing 74bhp and 94bhp. At the top of the pile sat the 202bhp 1.6 turbo in the VXR. The triples are worth seeking out but, if you want a little more oomph, choose the 99bhp 1.4 turbo. And then in 2018, they were all replaced by a quartet of Euro 6.2-compliant 1.4 petrol engines producing 74bhp, 89bhp, 99bhp and 148bhp. The 74bhp is plentiful and fine for town but you should hold out for the turbocharged 99bhp unit. The 148bhp engine is brisk but expensive. At launch, there were no fewer than 11 trims, but by 2018, they had fallen back to around nine, which is where they remain. Avoid the most basic and go mid-range, seeking out a combination of alloy wheels, air conditioning and 7.0in touchscreen featuring IntelliLink. On this basis, the Energy trim level gets our vote. Another is Sport, which is based on Energy and adds sports seats and pedals. With their special paint schemes, Red and Black Edition cars are fun and Griffin is good value but isn’t available with the later 99bhp 1.4 turbo engine. Factor in big new car discounts that fuel depreciation and the Corsa is a great used car buy. In fact, it’s a good time to pick up a late-plate model as Vauxhall dealers pre-register stocks to clear the way for the all-new Corsa that’s arriving later this year. For example, you can pick up a 2019/19-reg 1.4i 75PS Design 5dr with zero miles for £11,999, or around £1400 off the best discounted new price. At the other end of the cost spectrum, prices start at around £3500 for a high-mileage 2014 or well-equipped 15-reg Sting 1.4i. Need to know Laugh in the face of icy winter mornings: every Corsa from 2014 on has a heated windscreen. That’s every Corsa, from entry level to top spec. According to Vauxhall, it’s there because that’s what prospective buyers said they wanted. Or maybe it’s because the Corsa D suffered so badly from steamed-up windows? IntelliLink infotainment is standard on all trims bar Life and Sting. Featuring a 7.0in touchscreen and digital radio, Vauxhall’s connectivity system is also an extension of your Apple or Android phone. Although sat-nav is available on many trims, you’re better off using IntelliLink to access your phone’s navigation app. Vauxhall’s OnStar services will cease to be available from 31 December 2020, so don’t buy a Corsa on the strength of it alone. Our pick Corsa 1.4T 100PS Energy Air-con SS: The 99bhp engine is a spirited but refined unit that’s torquey at low revs. Add alloy wheels, IntelliLink and air-con and the model is a well-equipped all-rounder for sensible money Wild card Corsa 1.6T 205PS VXR: Fast, grippy and edgy, the VXR easily justifies its wild card status but also because these very qualities are what keep it in the shadow of the more poised and sophisticated Ford Fiesta ST. Ones we found 2015 Corsa 1.4i Sting 3dr, 103,000 miles, £3695 2016 Corsa 1.2i Design 5dr, 60,000 miles, £5789 2017 Corsa 1.4T 100 SRi 5dr, 40,000 miles, £7500 2018 Corsa 1.0 Energy 3dr, 10,000 miles,
Origin: Nearly-new buying guide: Vauxhall Corsa

New Vauxhall Corsa: full engine range details released

Vauxhall Corsae pricing revealed

Vauxhall Corsa-e pricing revealed Full specifications for the electric Corsa will be announced in September Vauxhall has announced pricing for its Corsa-e, the company’s first pure-electric model. Prices will start from £26,490, including the £3,500 Plug-in Car Grant, and a £500 reservation fee will get buyers a priority spot in the order queue. Featuring a 205 mile (WLTP) range, the Corsa-e can be rapid charged in half an hour to 80%, and has an 11 kW on-board charger for home and public charging. A 100 kW electric motor is powered by a 50 kWh battery, and performance figures are quoted with an 8.1 second 0-62mph time. The first 500 customers to place a reservation will get a free home charge point installed when they take delivery of their new Corsa-e, and the Vauxhall’s battery has an eight year / 100,000 mile warranty to guarantee capacity of at least 70% is maintained. Full specifications will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with production starting in January next year.
Origin: Vauxhall Corsae pricing revealed

Allelectric Vauxhall Corsae launche

All-electric Vauxhall Corsa-e launched A range of more than 200 miles is available from the supermini Vauxhall has revealed its next-generation Corsa, and this version will be available as an all-electric Corsa-e. Featuring a range of 205 miles (WLTP) of normal driving on a single charge, Vauxhall says that figure an be extended by up to 40% in Eco mode, compared to Sport mode. Putting the Corsa-e in Sport will reduce its range by around 10%. That range comes from a 50 kWh battery, which powers a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor, producing 260 Nm of torque. This allows for a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds, and reaching half that speed will take just 2.8 seconds. An 11 kW on-board charger will allow for fast charging in public, with a full charge taking less than five hours on a charge point capable of providing 11 kW. A rapid charge via the CCS inlet will take half an hour to get to 80%. A number of driver assistance systems will be fitted to the Corsa-e, as will a 10-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Origin: Allelectric Vauxhall Corsae launche

New Vauxhall Corsa-e: official pics of electric hatch

Vauxhall has revealed the new full electric Corsa-e supermini, which will kickstart the brand’s electrification programme when it goes on sale next March with 134bhp and a 211-mile range. The unveiling of official pictures and details of the EV version of the Corsa – which will also be offered with petrol and diesel powertrains – has been brought forward after images of the Opel-branded version leaked online yesterday. The new Corsa is the first Vauxhall model that has been developed since the firm was bought by the PSA Group, which also owns Peugeot, Citroën and DS. It shares the PSA Group’s new CMP platform and powertrains with the recently launched Peugeot 208. The Corsa-e will match the e-208 in having a 50kWh battery to power the electric motor. The powertrain has 134bhp and produces 191lb ft, enough for a 0-31mph time of around 3.1secs. The Corsa-e will feature three drive modes – Normal, Sport and Eco – with Vauxhall claiming the 211-mile official range can be extended by up to 40% in Eco drive mode. The hatch also features a regenerative braking system. While based on the same architecture, the car’s bodywork is entirely a Vauxhall/Opel design, with no crossover from the 208. Despite the new platform, the Corsa’s dimensions are closely matched to the outgoing model, while the styling is also similar. The Corsa-e will have styling close to the combustion-engined version, with a bespoke wheel design and slightly different grille. It features a charging port located where the fuel filler normally is on a combustion-engined car. It will only be offered in five-door form, reflecting current industry trends. Inside, the Corsa-e will be offered with a 10in touchscreen, with an infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will also offer a range of driver assistance features, including traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and park assist. The combustion-engined version of the Corsa, which Autocar drove a development version of recently, will be launched at a later date. Vauxhall will reveal pricing information for the Corsa-e closer to when it goes on sale next year. As part of the PSA Group’s wider plans, Vauxhall will offer a full electric or electrified version of every model in its line-up by 2024. It recently unveiled the Grandland PHEV, and has confirmed the successor to the Mokka X SUV and the new Vivaro van, both due in 2020, will feature battery electric
Origin: New Vauxhall Corsa-e: official pics of electric hatch