Vauxhall Corsa

As concerns over diesel grow, an expanding selection of cars are now available with small-capacity turbocharged petrol engines. GreenFleet samples the direct injection and turbocharged 1.0‑litre Vauxhall Corsa

The recently-refreshed Vauxhall Corsa is doing good business in the UK and is continuing the success of the previous model. Just like that car, it is a regular fixture in the UK’s top 10 best‑selling cars chart, recording a second place during June 2015 behind the ever popular Ford Fiesta. The latest model brought a raft of exterior, interior and powertrain changes upon its introduction late last year. A revised diesel offering, the CDTi (GreenFleet, issue 82) boasts CO2 emissions of 87g/km, but with the current anti‑diesel climate, there are clean petrol versions of the new Corsa available, too. The turbocharged 1.0‑litre model tested here, for example.

Direct injection and a turbocharger
Downsized turbocharged petrol engines are one way to lower emissions yet also produce a good level of performance. The new Corsa’s 999cc three-cylinder engine features both a turbocharger and direct injection. Meeting the latest Euro 6 standards, emissions are 100g/km. Vauxhall is proud of the fact that the unit was the first ‘production three‑cylinder engine on the market with a sump-mounted counter rotating balancer shaft’. That helps make the engine smoother and resonance‑free. Vauxhall has also engineered various measures with the aim to reduce the sound for improved refinement, and we’re pleased to say it’s succeeded. While there is some noise from the little engine when accelerating, it’s mechanically pleasing. When cruising, there’s very little noise at all.

Continuously-variable valve timing ensures good performance. Maximum power of 98bhp is produced at 3,700‑6,000rpm, while torque of 125lb ft (170Nm) is developed from 1,800‑3,700rpm. Only 15lb ft (20Nm) down on the CDTi’s torque figure, the turbocharger helps the engine produce strong low-down punch and the car doesn’t feel out of its depth on motorways. Even though it has a small engine, there is pick-up in sixth gear and so the car has no problem keeping up with fast traffic flow. There is a word of warning, though: put your foot down too often and the fuel economy suffers.

Being an ‘Ecotec’ unit, Vauxhall’s
Start/Stop system comes as standard. Quoted fuel economy is 65.7mpg, although in ‘real‑world’ use, we achieved an average of 50.6. That may not sound very high, but, from a petrol engine that at times encourages ‘press-on’ driving, it’s commendable. An ‘Eco’ button limits selected vehicle settings for even greater economy. The ‘Eco Drive Assist’ function displays relevant economy information such as optimum gear change shift points, current economy as well as fuel consumption stats.

The 1.0-litre engine is exclusively mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, which is slick and precise in feel. Just like the diesel version, the 1.0-litre Corsa is fun to drive, with nicely-weighted steering and a nimble nature. The steering system has been specifically set up for UK roads, while the suspension comfortably deals with most surfaces thrown at it. A switchable ‘City’ steering mode reduces the amount of effort when the car is in urban areas up to 30mph. It’s a very resolved and sorted car to drive, with an added dash of ease of use.

Near top-of-the-range status
In SRi trim, the new Corsa looks very smart. Years ago, an SRi Vauxhall was probably more sporty than a similarly-badged car in 2015, but there are nods to sportiness as befits the Corsa SRi’s near top-of-the‑range status. Black 16-inch wheels contrast well with the Flame Red paintwork and front fog lights lend an aggressive touch to the exterior. Inside, a red dashboard strip evokes more go-faster feelings, as do the aluminium-capped pedals and three‑spoke multifunction steering wheel. 

Other equipment highlights include a heated windscreen, a 7-inch touchscreen IntelliLink infotainment system with DAB radio/Bluetooth/Aux-in/USB and iPod controls, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic headlights, cruise control and the all-important multifunction trip computer – ideal for watching those economy figures. It’s a lot of kit for £13,605, but value has long been one area where the Corsa has excelled. The interior really is improved over the previous model with both real and received quality taking steps up.

Lower Benefit in Kind tax
Just as with the CDTi model, the latest Corsa doesn’t look or feel like an ‘economy’ car, even if the fuel economy returns and values point to it potentially being one. The 1.0-litre petrol version offers almost as much performance as the diesel variant and at 100g/km of CO2, is the lowest-emitting petrol engine in the new Corsa range. In SRi trim, it costs £920 less to buy than the diesel version, too, and sits one per cent lower when it comes to Benefit in Kind tax. Its arch-rival in the UK sales charts, the Ford Fiesta, matches the Corsa 1.0T when it comes to fuel economy and CO2 emissions when compared with similar 1.0T Ecoboost‑engined variants. The small Ford loses out to the Vauxhall on price, though, with the Fiesta Zetec’s £14,195 list price more expensive than that asked for the Corsa.

Potential buyers would have to weigh up the price savings against the potential fuel economy losses when it comes to petrol versus diesel models. However, should you choose to plump for the petrol-engined Corsa 1.0T, as a quiet, refined and able small car, it comes highly recommended.

Further information
www.tinyurl.com/75lxdgx