FEW are willing to wear the “conformist” label, least of all young carbuyers to whom style has to be one of the most important considerations when looking at a potential purchase.
Unfortunately for them, cars that offer so much as a modicum of individuality or customisation tend to command a hefty price tag, but there are a few exceptions… Enter the Corsa Colour Edition, which bids to add some personality to Opel’s light car line-up.
Make what you will of the test unit’s “Sunny Melon” paint job, but it gets you noticed. On practically any other car it would be an affront to the senses, but this colour actually works well with the Corsa 3-door canvas, especially with the black roof section… and if you are offended by it, there are a number of other colours to choose from (see sidebox, Corsa chameleon).
Neat five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, slightly beefier sills and bumpers and a hint of a roof spoiler complement the Corsa’s curved profile.
The interior appointments are a mixed bag. Admittedly, the glowing fruit pastille effect of the air-con and volume controls are an acquired taste – as are the exterior colour-coded bezels around the air vents – and don’t really gel with what is otherwise quite a neat, classy cabin. Other touches, such as the leather-bound steering wheel and gear knob and alloy pedals, are tastefully executed. The facia is tidy, the fit and finish good and a wide range of seat adjustment means the front is a comfy place to be.
The standard sports seats are firm yet supportive and look suitably dashing with their colour-coded stitching – the only area of concern was the upholstery material, which appeared to be wearing very quickly on the driver’s seat. Room for the rear occupants is also quite respectable, but the narrow side glazing can make it feel a bit claustrophobic. The boot is of respectable size for a B-segment hatchback.
Power is provided by a 1,4-litre petrol engine developing 74 kW at 6 000 r/min and 130 N.m of torque at 4 000. That may not sound like a great deal, but it doesn’t mean the Corsa is boring to drive. A prod of the accelerator is greeted with a gruff exhaust note, and while the car doesn’t feel all that quick – we managed a leisurely 0-100 km/h time of 12,83 seconds – the Corsa’s just about brisk enough to be entertaining.
For its size, this Opel manages to feel like a substantial car. Although the suspension has been lowered and mildly stiffened, the ride is far from jarring. The Corsa’s steering has come in for criticism in the past due to a lack of precision.Thankfully, the range recently underwent a number of upgrades.
On the road the car feels eager to perform, the biggest upshot of a short-throw gear shift action – but the clutch has a tendency to take rather high up and that can make the Corsa appear to lurch somewhat when swapping cogs quickly. The brakes on this model, aided by ABS and EBD, are effective and managed to bring the car to a halt from 100 km/h in a 10-stop average time of 2,78 seconds, which earned it an excellent rating.
Specification for this is model is quite generous and includes an MP3-compatible CD sound system with steering wheelmounted controls, air-conditioning, front foglamps, remote central locking, electrically-operated windows and mirrors, and transponder key and immobiliser among other items.
TEST SUMMARY
What the Corsa Colour Edition lacks in outright pace it makes up for with solid build quality, fun driving dynamics and an array of colourful customisation options. One should, however, bear in mind that there are quite a few stylish rivals that are more powerful and practical within this car’s price range. Few of them, however, are going to tick the right boxes when it comes to offering a fashionable package that doesn’t incur additional costs. It’s likeable, well equipped and carves a neat little niche for itself in the lower end of the market, which should resonate well with style-conscious young buyers with a penchant for Teutonic solidity. But it has some stylish competition out there…
CORSA CHAMELEON
True to its name, the Opel Corsa Colour Edition offers prospective buyers the chance to add a number of individual touches to their car at no additional cost. This replacement for the Opel Corsa 1,4 Sport model is offered in five eye-catching colours: Sunny Melon, Magma Red, Oriental Blue, Casablanca White, and Black Sapphire. The bold colours are complemented by dark tinted windows and a glossy black roof and customers can specify a choice of either black or silver 17-inch alloy wheels. The exterior colours are echoed in the cabin with the inclusion of colour-coded air vent rings and seats stitching, sports seats and alloy pedals.
