Vauxhall Corsa Ecoflex review
This year's model of Vauxhall's frugal sub-brand proves itself to be no joke when applied to the Corsa supermini.
Compared with its fiercest rival, the £14,962 Ford Fiesta Econetic, the
old-model Corsa Ecoflex was an environmental hairshirt – great to look at,
but that was about the only part that remained of the strong contender for
the 2007 European Car of the Year Award.
The turbodiesel was leaden and unwilling to rev, the gearbox was
superfluous. The suspension made it feel like you were perched on the roof
and the complete absence of driver feedback was worthy of referral to the
Geneva Convention paragraphs on passenger abuse.
The Corsa Ecoflex has been revamped for 2010. The result went on sale on
April 1, with headline CO2 emissions of 98g/km and an EU Combined fuel
economy of 76.3mpg (coincidentally, identical to the Fiesta's).
The Corsa's bodywork and cabin are unchanged, which means you need to be
careful which trim package you are buying, but choose rightly and the result
is attractive, comfortable and spacious.
The chassis benefits from a number of revisions to suspension and steering,
with revalved dampers, new software for the electronic power steering to
increase effort at low speeds and softer front suspension to improve the
urban ride quality.
Despite the large number of Ecoflex-badged models, only a three-door, 94bhp/140lb ft, 1.3-litre CDTi diesel in S, Energy or Exclusiv trim levels
achieves the magic numbers of 76.3mpg and 98g/km. It has a top speed of
110mph and does 0-62mph in 11.5sec.
We drove new and old Ecoflex diesels models back-to-back over an
identical route at identical speeds. The old car managed 67.9mpg, the new 71.9mpg, which is an impressive gain.
The improvements are immediately noticeable. The steering has life and the suspension is now cossetting and subtle rather than slap-in-the-face crude. This is no performance machine, but there's a sharper mien and a much improved urban ride quality.
The engine doesn't lug from low revs as well as the previous unit, but it rewards a careful watch on the rev counter to chime gearchanges early. There's a useful amount of low-end torque, although you need to rev it to get anywhere near maximum performance – which, of course, does little for the economy.
Town dwellers should wait until this autumn when the Ecoflex model gets a standard stop/start system, which can save up to 10 per cent in urban areas.
Vauxhall Corsa car review:
Ten Point Test
Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 82%The market for cheap, fun superminis has never been more competitive. Dozens of cars vie of the attentions of a wide range of buyers: they have appeal for drivers from teenagers through to pensioners and everyone in between.
The Vauxhall Corsa has been a hit since its launch way back in 1993 thanks to a blend of practicality and low running costs.
But does the latest generation continue the trend? We took to the road in one to find out.
1. Looks 8/10
It’s evolution rather than revolution with the Corsa’s styling. It’s still immediately identifiable as a Corsa, but its new styling brings it bang up to date. The front is framed by a pair of headlights which sweep along the stubby bonnet. The rest of the front has a strong link with the rest of the Vauxhall family, while the rear – especially the rear lights – tips a nod to the Astra. Our Club test car sits around the middle of the range, so does without alloy wheels or fancy bumpers, but looks pretty nonetheless.2. Looks inside 8/10
The Corsa’s cabin has a refreshing air of simplicity about it, even through it feels considerably more upmarket than previous models. The controls look and feel chunky, without falling into the Fisher Price toy trap. Even our mid-spec Club model has a sporty silver centre console and bands around the steering wheel spokes. The dials are remarkably easy to read, with a pleasant orangey glow. Our test car has a clock in the centre of the dash, but higher-spec models have a screen atop the dashboard. There’s a funky range of upholstery and dashboard colours too.
3. Practicality 8/10
There’s more head, leg and shoulder room than any Corsa before, and space is only inhibited by the sloping roofline at the rear of the car. Vauxhall offers a solution to this in the slightly less attractive five door version, which has a boxier side profile. There are door pockets designed to hold a 1.5-litre drinks bottle, while there’s a roomy glovebox and a compartment designed to hold a mobile phone in the centre console. The Corsa’s boot is surprisingly capacious, with a false floor allowing rarely used items to be kept out of the way. The floor lifts out and can be stored in the compartment it covers to reveal an additional 135 litres raising the total storage under the parcel shelf to 285 litres. The rear seats split and fold, increasing capacity to 700 litres (to window level) or 1,100 if loaded to the roof. A clever bike rack which pops out of the rear bumper is an innovative option on most models.4. Ride and Handling 8/10
Vauxhall has proved the competence of the Corsa’s chassis with the hot VXR model. Putting a lot of power through a car often reveals otherwise hidden shortcomings; but not here. The standard spec model we tried proved itself worthy on a variety of roads; with only over-light steering spoiling the fun. Body roll is minimal around corners, and only particularly pothole-scarred roads unsettle the baby Vauxhall.5. Performance 8/10
Despite only packing 74bhp, the 1.3-litre diesel Corsa we tried felt very sprightly; feeling as much at home at motorway speeds as it did around town. That’s got a lot to do with 147lb/ft of pulling power which reaches a peak between 1,750 and 2,500rpm, making the engine flexible enough to not require constant gearchanges. There’s plenty of poke for overtaking too. Vauxhall make a high power version of the same engine and a 1.7-litre diesel, as well as 1-litre, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8-litre petrol engines.
6. Running Costs 10/10
According to Vauxhall, our test car can cover an average of 61.4mpg, making it one of the UK’s most frugal cars. The Corsa range starts at an impressive £7,495, and the rest of the range is keenly priced. Only the hot VXR model strikes as expensive with its £15,625 price tag. Insurance groups are also very low; starting at group 1 for the 1-litre Expression model. The 1.3-litre model we tested sits in tax Band C, currently costing £100 a year. Corsas need to see the inside of a garage for servicing every year, or 20,000 miles.7. Reliability 8/10
The Corsa has always been a simple and robust little car, and the latest model seems no different. A lot of its running gear has been around for a while in the Astra, Meriva and Fiat Grande Punto, so should have proven reliability.8. Safety 9/10
The Vauxhall Corsa has scored a full five star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test programme for adult occupant protection. It also scored three stars for child occupant and pedestrian protection, which is slightly better than average for a supermini. All models feature driver and passenger airbags, while models from the Club version we tested upwards have front side and curtain airbags. The Corsa is the first model to feature double pretensioners on the chest and lap parts of the seat belt to pull the belts tight in the event of a collision. All models have pedals which move away from the driver in a crash to prevent leg injury and brake lights which flash five times per second if the ABS is activated under heavy braking at more than 18mph.
9. Equipment 7/10
Most models in the Corsa range are well appointed, although the entry level 1-litre Expression lacks all but the basics. Our middle range Club model featured optional air-conditioning, a trip computer, shiny interior trim, electric windows and mirrors and remote central locking. Much of the additional bits on our car were extra cost options.
10. X-Factor 8/10
The fact it’s the car of choice for thousands of driving instructors is testament to its ability as an easy-to-drive supermini. The latest model is also more fun to drive than its predecessors, with remarkably low running costs.Key facts
Model tested: Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi ClubOn the road price: £10,595
Price range: £7,495 – £15,625
Date tested: October 2006
Road tester: Stuart Milne
- Vehicle Summary:
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Body style Hatchback Engine size 1248 cc Fuel type Diesel Number of doors 3 Number of seats 5 Gearbox type MANUAL CO2 emissions 119 g/km Insurance group 3 Vehicle tax band C Standard manufacturers warranty (miles) 60000 miles Standard manufacturers warranty (years) 3 years Standard corrosion guarantee 6 years Standard paintwork guarantee 1 year - Performance & Economy
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Fuel consumption (urban) 49.6 mpg Fuel consumption (extra urban) 74.3 mpg Fuel consumption (combined) 62.8 mpg 0 - 62 mph 13.6 seconds Top speed 101 mph Cylinders 4 Valves 16 v Engine power 75 bhp Engine torque 126 lbs/ft -
Dimensions
Height 1488 mm Height inclusive roof rails No details available Length 3999 mm Wheelbase 2511 mm Width 1713 mm Width including mirrors 1944 mm Fuel tank capacity 45 litres Gross vehicle weight 1645 kg Luggage capacity (seats down) 1050 litres Luggage capacity (seats up) 285 litres Max loading weight 500 kg Max roof load 75 kg Max towing weight (braked) 1000 kg Max towing weight (unbraked) 500 kg Minimum kerb weight 1145 kg Turning circle (kerb to kerb) 10.1 metre
Exterior features2 rear head restraints 60/40 split folding rear seat Auxiliary power socket Cable cloth upholstery DualFloor Cargo floor Front head restraints Height adjustable driver's seat Rake/reach adjustable steering wheel Welcome lighting Front passenger underseat storage tray Steering wheel mounted audio controls Stereo radio/CD player and MP3 facility Remote tailgate release Service interval indicator Speed sensitive power steering Triple info display
Body colour bumpers Body colour door handles Body colour door mirrors Chromed headlamps Door to door illumination Electric front windows Electrically adjustable door mirrors Heated door mirrors Rear wiper Solid paint 15" steel wheels with full wheel covers Spare wheel
courtsey by:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufacturers/vauxhall/7737184/Vauxhall-Corsa-Ecoflex-review.html3 point rear seatbelts x3 ABS+EBA Dual stage Driver/Passenger Airbags Passenger airbag deactivate switch Seatbelt reminders for driver and front passenger Immobiliser Remote control central locking
courtsey by:http://www.autotrader.co.uk/articles/2006/10/cars/vauxhall/vauxhall-corsa-car-review
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Dimensions