What's the news?
The all-new next generation Opel Corsa will make its debut in June, with combustion engine and fully electric models becoming available. We've been deep inside the R&D Centre at the German car maker's home in Rüsselsheim to look over the car as it completes its final development stages.
Opel has paid particular attention to reducing the overall weight of the new Corsa in a bid to improve efficiency. In its lightest form, the new five-door Opel Corsa will weigh just 980kg, which is 108kg less than its predecessor.
The body-in-white alone is some 40kg lighter than before, and Opel will use aluminium for the bonnet to save 2.4kg, while more use of aluminium in its engines will result in weight savings of 15kg. On the inside, new front seats are 5.5kg lighter, while the design of the new rear seats helps to save 4.5kg over the current model. This overall weight reduction will benefit fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
An approximate 10 per cent weight saving comes despite the new Corsa measuring in at almost the exact same size as the outgoing model. Opel will use a platform from its parent PSA Group, which is also being used to underpin the new Peugeot 208.
Doing so will enable Opel to create an all-electric model that features a battery mounted in the floor. There's no confirmation of battery capacity or expected range, but it should closely mirror those of the Peugeot 208.
That car will have a 135hp electric motor with a 50kWh battery that is claimed to be good for a driving range of up to 340 kilometres. It will also be compatible with 100kW rapid chargers allowing for a 0-80 per cent recharge in around 30 minutes.
Anything else?
Opel is also planning to release a plug-in hybrid version of its Grandland X SUV later this year.