Opel Corsa-e: A Stromer For Having Fun

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

The new Opel Corsa-e has been at dealerships since last weekend. The people of Rüsselsheim themselves speak of an electric car for the people.

The small car costs at least 29,900 euros. Can the Corsa-e still be a success? It can, despite its price. There are only a few manufacturers who have as much expertise in electromobility as Opel.

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When other automakers were still talking about electric cars, the Rüsselsheim-based company - at that time still a subsidiary of GM - already had a plug-in hybrid on offer in 2009 with the Ampera. Opel itself spoke of "an electric car with a range extender". In 2017, the Ampera-e was the first all-electric car to hit the market. In the USA it was on the road as the Chevrolet Bolt.

An E variant in every series by 2024

Now, three years later, the Opel Corsa-e has rolled out to dealers. With him, the Rüsselsheim-based company - which is now part of the PSA Group - want to take off into electromobility. Opel boss Michael Lohscheller promises that there will be an electrified version of every model series by 2024: "Opel will be electric."

It is no coincidence that Opel is currently offering the Corsa as a purely electrified model. After all, the small car is still the bestseller in the portfolio. He sold 51,708 vehicles in Germany in the previous year. This alone accounts for 24 percent of total Opel sales. It was accordingly logical that the Corsa should lead the way in pure e-mobility, before the successor to the Mokka X will also be available as a battery-electric version at the end of the year.

Only logos indicate the E variant

You only see at second glance that the Corsa-e is the electric version of the small car. In addition to the E on the license plate, the E variant can only be recognized by the aerodynamic rims, the missing exhaust and the small e logos on the body. The way the Corsa-e stands in front of you, it comes across as quite calm. But that's not wrong. This Corsa-e does not polarize with its design, but has a majority. That is exactly what it takes to reach the customer. In any case, during the test drives in Berlin, passers-by kept turning to look at him.

The inner values can also be seen: The Corsa-e has a range of 337 kilometers (WLTP) with its 50 kWh and 345 kilogram battery. That will still not be enough for drivers with a penchant for combustion engines. But those who are honest will see: that's enough! Above all against the background that even commuters do not cover more than 30 to 40 kilometers a day.

Three different driving modes

In addition, it is up to the driver how far he can get with the Corsa-e. He or she can choose from three different driving modes: Sport, Normal and Eco. If you opt for the eco mode, you are only on the road with an output of 60 kW and a maximum torque of 180 Newton meters. If you then also switch off electrical consumers such as air conditioning, steering wheel or seat heating, you gain additional range. A range of ten to 20 kilometers can be gained quickly.

If you drive carefully and take your foot off the accelerator early on, recuperation will give you a few additional kilometers. What Opel does without, however, is so-called one-pedal driving: the recuperation power in the Stromer is not sufficient to come to a stop without braking. However, Opel at least offers the option of increased energy recovery - to do this, the gearshift lever must be set to "B". The most balanced way to drive the Corsa-e is in normal mode - then 80 kW of power and 220 Nm are available.

E-car cost advantage

But the Corsa-e is not only efficient but also sporty. In sport mode, for example, it provides its full output of 136 hp and a maximum torque of 260 Newton meters. It only takes 8.1 seconds to go up to 100 km / h. The top speed is limited to 150 km / h. Sure, if you drive like this, you won't see the next charging station after 337 kilometers, but much sooner. But every now and then you should allow yourself this fun.

If the battery is empty, it can be recharged to 80 percent in 30 minutes at a quick charging station. Back to the price again. At first glance it appears steep. But the state's € 6,000 purchase premium still has to be deducted from him. Correspondingly, “only” 23,900 euros are due for the entry-level version. In addition, Opel refers to the lower maintenance costs compared to the combustion engine. In terms of energy costs alone, the driver of a Corsa-e saves 916 euros (2453 euros vs. 1537 euros) compared to a Corsa 1.2 Turbo with 130 hp and an annual mileage of 30,000 kilometers.

If you then add the monetary benefit of using it as a company car, you will save 2656 euros. Whatever your own calculation: with the Corsa-e, Opel offers a very coherent range. In any case, the Rüsselsheim-based company does not need to shy away from the competition - and a comparable model is not available cheaper there either.