2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Opel revitalizes the GSi. The new Corsa GSi closes the gap between the production version and the OPC model in an extremely sporty way, noted Frank Mertens.
For all those for whom the production model of the Corsa is too conservative but the OPC version is too obnoxious, Opel is now offering an alternative: the 150 hp GSi. It closes the gap between the 1.7 liter diesel with 125 hp and the OPC with 192 hp.
Best seller Corsa
The fact that the Corsa is not just any vehicle for the Rüsselsheim-based car manufacturer can already be seen from the sales figures. In Germany alone, Opel was able to sell 50,208 vehicles from its small car in the first eight months of the year. This is an increase of 26 percent compared to the same period last year, but the VW Polo leads the segment, albeit with a marginal lead of just nine vehicles.
The GSi is now intended to help the Corsa take over the market leadership in its segment again at the end of the year. One hopes for GSi sales of around 1100 vehicles per year in Germany.
Discreet appearance
A cautious estimate, because the GSi, which was first launched 20 years ago and was equipped with a 98 hp engine at the time, makes a convincing impression in its fourth generation. It starts with its appearance. So that a broad target group of sport-oriented family mothers and fathers can be addressed, the GSI comes across as extremely discreet compared to the rather obnoxious OPC.
The visual modifications compared to the production model include the front and rear spoiler lip, a chrome-plated sports exhaust system, 17-inch alloy wheels and side skirts painted in the body color. The designers have held back with the optical tuning of the GSI, which clearly benefits the overall impression. In this car you can make a statement about sportiness without other road users having to roll their eyes in alarm at the sight of the GSI.
Three and four door models
The latest generation of the GSi is available as a three-door model for 19,950 euros and as a five-door model for 20,650 euros. In comparison: You have to put 22,700 euros on the table for the OPC. As Opel spokesman Wolfgang Scholz says, when buying a Corsa, 58 percent of customers opt for the three-door and 42 percent for the five-door. In the interior, the GSI draws attention to itself with red belts and black and red padded sports seats. The leather steering wheel is also set off with red color inserts in the lower area. The constant recurrence of the red hue takes getting used to, but on second glance it doesn't look bad.
The seats, which offer good lateral support, are tightly padded, but quite comfortable. There is one drawback, however: The height of the passenger seat cannot be adjusted - there shouldn't be anything like that anymore.
Rich sound
The Corsa GSi is powered by a 1.6 liter turbo engine. The unit initially impresses with a rich sound and an appealing draft. If you want, you can go up to 210 km / h with the GSi. The Corsa reaches 100 km / h in a decent 8.1 seconds. Above all, the little one can be moved very lazily. The GSi provides its maximum torque of 210 Nm between 1850 and 5000 rpm. The six-speed gearshift, which can be operated precisely, is also not objectionable. The C02 emissions per kilometer are tough: they are 189 grams.
The chassis is quite tightly tuned, the body is lowered by 18 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear. This means that the GSI lies well on the road when driving through bends, but in poor road conditions with transverse joints, the impacts come into the interior quite unfiltered. The deceleration values of the Corsa GSi, however, are not objectionable: the 16-inch braking system, already familiar from the OPC, does a good job. The power steering could be a bit more direct for such a sporty vehicle. But these are things that don't really spoil the good overall impression of the GSi.
