750,000 Orders: Current Opel Corsa Continues Success Story

• Fifth generation of bestseller: Over 13 million Corsa cars built to date
• Success story in five acts: From Opel Corsa A to current model

Serial success: Over 13 million Opel Corsa spanning five generations have been produced to date. Opel recently received the 750,000th order for the current generation Corsa.

Dynamic, practical, stylish and very popular: the fifth Corsa generation is again a bestseller. Opel has just received the 750,000^th order for the current small car model since its market launch in late 2014. The stylish all-rounder thus continues the success story that started with the first Corsa in 1982. To date, more than 13 million Corsa vehicles from all generations have been built.

“The Corsa is one of our most important models in Europe and accounts for around one-quarter of Opel’s total sales volume. Depending on the version, it is the perfect car for singles and couples as well as for the whole family,” says Peter Küspert, Opel/Vauxhall Vice President Sales & Aftersales.

And the Corsa has not just won over customers, over the years it has also collected many awards, including the recent “Small Car of the Year 2016” title in Ireland, “Eco Car of the Year 2016” in Latvia, “Most Sensible Car 2015” and “Value Champion 2015” in Germany as well as the AUTOBEST award “Best Buy Car of Europe for 2015”. This shows that the Opel Corsa is a true European.

There are good reasons for this success: Opel Corsa combines a pleasant, stylish atmosphere and driving fun with top technologies from higher vehicle classes. In the small bestseller, the Opel design philosophy “Sculptural artistry meets German precision” meets top comfort and modern assistance systems as well as best digital connectivity with Opel OnStar and IntelliLink infotainment. The portfolio also impresses with powerful and efficient turbo gasoline, turbo diesel and LPG engines. The entire package’s price-performance ratio is superb. Entry into the Corsa world is already possible for €11,995 for the sporty three-door model with a 51 kW/70 hp 1.2-liter gasoline engine (NEDC fuel consumption: urban 6.7-6.6^[1] l/100 km, extra-urban 4.6-4.5¹ l/100 km, combined 5.4-5.3¹ l/100 km, 126-124¹ g/km CO₂). For just €785 more, customers can opt for driving fun in the spacious, family-friendly five-door model (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

Opel Corsa: A success story in five acts

Act One: Opel Corsa A - 1982 to 1993

As the smaller “Kadett brother” the Opel Corsa A debuted with a crisp, short length of 3.62 meters, an exceptionally low, possibly record-breaking 0.36 drag coefficient and bold, flared wheelarches in rally car style. Chief designer Erhard Schnell had created a sporty small car with sharp, chiseled lines, intended to particularly appeal to ‘the man of the house’. The highlight was the 100 hp Corsa GSi, and diesel power was also introduced. The two-door hatch and notchback line-up was expanded in 1985 with the addition of the popular five-door model. The Corsa A became a highly-acclaimed top seller with 3.1 million units sold.

Act Two: Opel Corsa B - 1993 to 2000

Despite the success of Opel Corsa Nr. 1, the decision was taken in Rüsselsheim to position its successor as a real ‘ladies’ darling’. Designer Hideo Kodama set to work and created a much rounder, softer Opel Corsa, with appealing ‘saucer-eye’ headlamps. Opel Corsa B was ten centimeters longer and much more spacious inside. It also introduced higher safety standards to its segment, including ABS, side-impact protection and front airbags. For special markets, next to the hatchback Opel again offered a notchback as well as station wagon and pick-up variants. Gasoline engines already had fuel-injection technology and catalytic converters, while the GSi featured 16 valves and diesel power was now turbo-charged. The second Opel Corsa was successful around the world, and sales topped the four million mark.

Act Three: Opel Corsa C - 2000 to 2006

Hideo Kodama was again asked to design the shape of the Opel Corsa C. The styling was consciously oriented towards its successful predecessor. The new Corsa grew again by ten centimeter in length and had a wider stance with a longer wheelbase, which greatly increased interior space. For the first time, the body was fully galvanized. Sophisticated four-valve ECOTEC gasoline and new direct-injection turbo diesel engines ensured strong power, low fuel consumption and lowest emission values – all variants already complied to the stringent Euro 4 emission standards. The Corsa C also became a star performer and sold 2.5 million units.

Act Four: Opel Corsa D - 2006 to 2014

Like the Opel Corsa B, the three and five-door versions went their separate ways: the three-door Opel Corsa had unique, coupé-like styling aimed at sporty customers, just like the original Opel Corsa A. The five-door variant became a spacious, fully-fledged family car. Opel Corsa D was just under four meters long. With Opel’s ecoFLEX technology, the Corsa had fuel-saving Start/Stop systems and highly efficient engines. The fourth generation reached sales of 2.8 million units.

Act Five: Opel Corsa E - Since 2014

With 750,000 orders to date, the fifth Corsa generation is also built in the Opel plants in Zaragoza and Eisenach as three and five-door variants. Eisenach is also home to production of the Opel ADAM family, so now the Corsa has little brothers – just like the Kadett once had the Corsa.

^[1] With low-rolling-resistance tires.