Affinity
– noun
“a natural liking for and understanding of someone or something.”
That’s what I have for the Opel brand. I’ve owned six of them, Corsas and Astras and Kadetts, even a Monza. I still remember my turbocharged GTC Coupe fondly, and all of its 360Nm of torque steer. So, when I get the keys to an Opel product, even in 2024 despite their shared underpinnings and technologies with Peugeot, well it warms my cockles. And when I took delivery of the new Corsa in GS Line trim, I was delighted to drop a cheek into the driver’s pew.
Instantly familiar
An Opel cabin is an Opel cabin, familiar and welcoming but fully embracing the zeitgeist so that means toys. Specifically, a large touchscreen monitor dominating the dashboard, a plethora of connectivity for your smartphone (BT, Android Auto, Apple Carplay and so on. Mod-cons include but are not limited to climate control. There are steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio system and cruise control system. Below the lever for the automatic gearbox, you have an electronic handbrake toggle. Not great for handbrake turns, but I’m 46 years old now, I’ll give it a pass. The living quarters are tactile enough, but there’s a fair amount of black plastic here – so if that’s not your thing, then be warned. But it does seem to be the material of choice in this segment. The seats and door cards are a multi-texture material whereas the helm has been covered in hide and detailed with white stitching. As has the front seats, which also receive white striping on the fabric for a stylish look. Overall, it’s comfy and classy, and a great place to pilot from.
Shunt, grunt and all that
Under the bonnet lives a turbocharged 1.2l engine, paired with the aforementioned 6-speed auto ‘box, good for 96kW. This endows the German (by way of France) hatchback with a 0-100kph sprint of 8.7sec. It’s not a hot hatch, but it has been warmed over despite a slushy auto, so don’t come here looking to dice. As a spirited city slicker however, I reckon the Corsa is more than up to the task. Hop onto the freeway and overtaking was never an issue, the nigh-on 100kW powertrain more than capable of making the Corsa feel quick. And since my stomping grounds are in the Western Cape, finding good winding tarmac was easy, and it was here the Corsa really shone. It’s a great little handler, loving to be chucked into the bends and rewarding its driver with something to smile about. It’ll top out at 208kph, and sip to the tune of just 6.3l/100km if you can control your right foot.
Verdict
In 2024, there is no shortage of attractive metal on our roads. Just look towards the Chinese brands ever emerging with new, European stylings on their SUVs. The Corsa however doesn’t need to contend with these since it’s a classic B Segment hatch. It must fight with the VW Polo, and the Renault Clio. It must even contend with a spot of sibling rivalry with the Peugeot 208. But where it shines is in the sum of its parts. The Corsa GS Line boasts some great features, bundled up in an attractive package and for a reasonable sticker price at R459,900. It’s handsome, has a fun chassis for when the road turns to spaghetti and there’s the fact that I could totally see myself behind the wheel of one for an extended period. I really liked the Corsa, but then there’s that affinity I mentioned at the start. Even so, I rate it highly and if it’s on your list, I give you my consent to pull that trigger.
But wait, there’s more
Opel South Africa has just unveiled an Irmscher derivative at this year’s Festival of Motoring. No details yet, but we’re expecting a bump in power and some groovy new aesthetic enhancements.
