Unfulfilled Promise

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Unfulfilled Promise
Unfulfilled Promise

Video: Unfulfilled Promise

Video: Unfulfilled Promise
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Opel also offers an economy version of the Corsa. What the 1.3 CDTi EcoFlex can do is shown in our test with the small car from the Rüsselsheim-based company, which has just replaced the Polo in the registration statistics.

By Frank Mertens

This is news that people in Rüsselsheim like to hear. Finally, for once, you're better than your competitor from Wolfsburg. No, not in the compact class. It has to wait until the end of November, only then will the new Astra come onto the market. It should make the VW Golf, the eternal bestseller in the segment, the top spot. It remains to be seen whether this will succeed.

Corsa replaces Polo

In the small car segment, we are already a step further, as the June figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) show. With 11,392 registrations, the Opel Corsa was able to clearly displace the VW Polo (8040) from first place in the segment. Well, that's also due to the model change of the Polo. But not only. Because it is no coincidence that the Corsa is one of the big beneficiaries of the scrapping premium. With it, Opel offers its customers an all-round convincing product.

One thing above all that, even after the scrapping premium has expired, will not be one of the big losers, also because of the new CO2-based vehicle tax. Because in Rüsselheim they rely on fuel-saving models. At Opel, they have the addition EcoFlex in the model name and all have the properties that are intended to reduce fuel consumption. These include a longer gear ratio, smooth-running tires and improved aerodynamics.

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Of course there is also an EcoFlex variant for the Corsa, specifically for the 1.3 CDTi. Its four-cylinder provides 75 hp. A performance that is sufficient for all everyday needs. Both in the city and on the highway, the fuel-saving Corsa cuts a fine figure with its maximum torque of 170 Newton meters - they are between 1750 and 2500 tours. The steering responds directly, the common rail engine, once it has warmed up, runs smoothly and the five-speed gearbox does a good job. Well, the Corsa EcoFlex is not a paragon of sportiness, but nobody expects that from a car in this class and with this engine.

4.1 liters promised

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Anyone who opts for the EcoFlex variant wants one thing above all: drive to the petrol station as rarely as possible. If you believe the manufacturer, the combined consumption should be just 4.1 liters. That sounds great if it's true. But is it also true? Unfortunately not, despite a very careful driving style. In our test operation, the Corsa swallowed 5.6 liters. In the city we got 6.5 liters instead of the specified 5.1. That's okay - but unfortunately not anymore. The competition from Wolfsburg is doing better there.

Since we're already grumbling: The reflective windshield of our test car was particularly annoying in strong sunshine: a beautiful reflection of the instrument panel was shown on it - that's annoying. In the equipment variant we tested, “110 Years of Selection”, there was also no on-board computer. Incomprehensible for a car that is about saving fuel.

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If you consider that, for example, the new Opel Insignia EcoFlex 2.0 CDTi with 160 hp and a six-speed gearbox only consumes 5.4 liters, then you can see that the engine developers can still improve on the small car Corsa. But if you ignore the consumption values that do not meet expectations, there is nothing to complain about on the Corsa. The seats are tight but not uncomfortable. And even as an adult there is plenty of room in the back seats.

Of course, you shouldn't forget the trunk of a small car: it may not be a space miracle, but with a capacity of 285 liters and intelligent packing technology, you can store a lot in it. The Corsa is not cheap, however. For him you have to put at least 13,950 euros on the dealer's table.

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