The Corsa line-up now starts with the £19,625 Design trim
Specifications revealed with dramatic redesign, new powertrain and upgraded 246-mile EV for popular supermini
Vauxhall has released pricing and specification details for the facelifted Corsa supermini, which gains new electric and hybrid powertrain options and becomes the last current Vauxhall to receive the company’s ‘Vizor’ grille.
The new supermini will be available from £19,625 for basic Design trim. Mid-range GS cars start from £22,005 and the top-spec Ultimate adds a £3600 premium.
The 51kWh electric version, available with a choice of 134bhp or 154bhp, is priced from £32,445 and £38,585 respectively. That means it undercuts the £34,470 Mini Electric in its entry-level guise but is slightly more than Renault‘s £29,240 Zoe.
Design-spec cars come with a 7.0in infotainment system, parking sensors and the usual raft of safety systems such as lane departure warning and speed sign recognition. GS brings a larger, 10.0in infotainment touchscreen, rear parking camera and 17in alloys. At the top end, cars get matrix headlights, heated and massaging seats upholstered in Alcantara and a heated steering wheel.
Underneath, fresh powertrain options have taken the car a “significant step forward”, according to design boss Mark Adams, especially with the Corsa Electric.
The EV now offers an upgraded 154bhp motor – shared with sibling brand Peugeot’s updated e-208 – for an improved 246-mile WLTP range.
The current car’s 134bhp motor and 51kWh battery, with 222 miles of range, will be available from 3 August. Both electric versions come with an on-board 11kW charger, allowing it to charge from 0-100% in five hours 15 minutes. Rapid charging from 10%-80% is claimed to take 30 minutes.
A 1.2-litre mild-hybrid engine, the Corsa’s first hybrid powertrain, joins the range with two power levels: 99bhp and 134bhp. It is not known precisely when this model will go on sale but Vauxhall has confirmed it will be available later this year.
An entry-level petrol engine, with a choice of 74bhp or 99bhp, remains. This is available with a five-speed manual gearbox only. However, higher-power ICE engines are mated to a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto.
Customers are able to order their cars now, with deliveries due to begin towards the end of this year.
The British brand hopes heavy visual updates and increased power choices – as well as a rise in electric-only range – will enable the hatch to again become the country’s best-selling car, having been pipped last year by the Nissan Qashqai SUV and chased closely by the Tesla Model Y and Ford Puma.
“It has been a phenomenal success. Ever since it landed in the market, it’s been a really important car for us,” Adams told Autocar.
Visually, the biggest changes are at the front, where more muscular and slimline LED headlights join the Vizor grille – a single, solid black panel that sits between the lights.
“It really feels like a very different car and feels much more modern,” said Adams. “Not only does it look sporty, but it looks more efficient, more aerodynamic and more electric.”
The visual changes mean the Vauxhall Corsa will continue to play a major role in rebuilding brand awareness for Vauxhall and, coupled with the new Astra released last year, “certainly ties in with the familiarity”, said Vauxhall boss James Taylor.
Source: Autocar
