New Car: 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall has launched this revised version of the Corsa in it attempts to close the gap to the class-leading Ford Fiesta.

The Corsa has been one of the UK’s biggest-selling cars under the government-backed scrappage incentive scheme and Vauxhall is keen to ensure sales of its flagship supermini remain strong when the grants end.

The revised model, due on sale in April, has been given a range of chassis tweaks to improve its dynamics, while the range also gets an average mpg boost of 13.2 per cent. Furthermore, five of the six engines offer sub-125g/km CO2 emissions when mated to a manual ‘box. The only exception is the VXR model.

Vauxhall hasn’t changed the exterior or interior styling of the Corsa, which is three and a half years into its lifespan, as a facelift is expected to follow at a later stage. This has yet to be confirmed by Vauxhall, however.

“It’s not a facelift, but we’re trying to keep the car fresh,” said a Vauxhall source. “It’s an important car to us and generally the UK’s second biggest-selling car. We’ve responded to the undoubtedly strong competition by improving efficiency and dynamics; this new model is a real improvement to drive.”

Vauxhall’s engineers have added softer springs to the front suspension, which are mated to an anti-roll bar with new bushes. This, Vauxhall claims, has improved the ride quality, while changes to the steering geometry should improve the handling. The damper settings have also been revised at all four corners and the ESP system has been retuned.

The new 94bhp 1.3-litre Ecoflex model has claimed combined fuel economy of 76.3mpg, rising to 88.3mpg on the extra-urban cycle. The entry-level 1.0-litre petrol units gets a 5bhp power boost to 64bhp over the outgoing car's, while the new model's CO2 emissions drop to 117g/km, meaning it now qualifies for £35 road tax.

Trim levels have been brought in line with those seen in the new Astra and Insignia ranges. Life becomes S, Club becomes Exclusiv and Design becomes SE, while SXi and SRi remain unchanged. The SE gets what Vauxhall claims is a unique feature in this class as standard: a heated leather steering wheel and heated front seats.

SRi models also benefit from extra kit, with 17-inch alloys, a VXR styling kit, air-con and revised suspension settings all standard.

Prices for the revised Corsa will start from £10,285, undercutting the entry-level Fiesta by £610.

Thanks to: Autocar