The Opel Corsa sedan, while sold in small numbers, has been spotted at the Nürburgring. Spy shots show the sub-compact sedan getting a workout at the legendary circuit while development continues to plug along.
While we can’t see any real design traits, the real question is what’s underpinning the Corsa sedan. Up until this point, all Opels have, obviously, used GM platforms. With Opel’s new French owners, PSA Groupe, it’s unclear if this new Corsa sedan will stick to a GM platform or move to PSA architecture. It’s already been reported the Corsa F hatchback will be one of the first new products to utilize PSA underpinnings.
While the original report notes the Corsa may find its way to China, that’s technically not possible should it still ride on GM architecture. GM requested a non-compete in the sale of Opel and Vauxhall to PSA Groupe, which bars the French automaker from selling GM-licensed cars (Insignia, Mokka, etc) in China, Russia and North America. Previously, the Corsa sedan has shared much with the Chevrolet Sail in China.
We’ll have to wait and see as the next-generation Corsa nears a reveal date, likely sometime next year or in early 2019.
Spy shots: Motor1
Comments
The article says it may come to Britain as a Vauxhall, I very much doubt it the Astra saloon & Insignia saloon have gone the only saloon left in Vauxhall’s range is VXR8 so I doubt they’ll be much demand for a Corsa saloon. Probably more suited to China, India & Italian markets. What I would like to see is Vauxhall buy up some of their older models (similar to what JLR have done) & make new about a dozen or so models for resale, sold alongside their current range.
Agree Jon – I think the closest any Vauxhall saloon in future will get to the UK is the Republic of Ireland, where there still remains a market of sorts for smallish saloons. If they can’t shift Insignia saloons in sufficient quantities, no chance of shifting anything smaller.
Love the idea of Vauxhall doing a JLR and offering heritage models for retail sale. Ever since a child I always had my heart set on a droop snoot Vauxhall Firenza, so if anyone from Luton is reading this… please, please, please make this your first heritage model!
Doesn’t the used car market function on the island?
Why should a manufacturer start mingling in the used car market? The dealers already do, there is no need for the new-car seller.
Observer… I think what’s being suggested is rather than mingling in the used car market, VX purchase and fully restore some classic models – perhaps Chevettes, Cavaliers, Vivas, Victors et al – and sell them on as heritage edition models.
It’s something premium manufacturers have done and continue to do – JLR being a case in point, with some success. As well as a small profit opportunity, it also adds an element of kudos to the cars they manufacture today. It’s something to the best of my knowledge no volume manufacturer has done thus far in the UK – perhaps Vauxhall could be the first?
“rather than mingling in the used car market, VX purchase and fully restore some classic models […] and sell them on as heritage edition models.”
But that IS used car market, OK, a special segment of it which deals with very old cars which are marketed not to be used for getting from A to B, but as museum pieces.
Opel has its “Classic” department, where they hold memorable concept cars and also some copies of old production cars and use them for old car rallies or expositions on special occasions. Other than Mercedes or Porsche, Opel does not entertain a permanent museum which the general public could visit.
This is not my piece of cake…
A Firenza Droop Snoot would be the ideal first heratage model & rather than Observer7’s view of it not being worthwhile I beg to differ, in Japan they sell domestic models mimicking heritage models & the modern Fiat 500 & Mini prove people love retro also there are many motorbike company’s producing retro bikes so why not the genuine article? Bet there are many people out there that was ether too young to have the original model or simply didn’t have the money back then but do now. Finally non of the retro models would interfere or steal sales from the current range, it’s win win.
There’s a lot of money to be made out of heratage, look how people appreciate old steam trains, old army merchandise, antique goods such as furniture or orniments certain items can fetch good money & people are willing to pay it.
“mimicking heritage models” like the Fiat 500 and BMW’s retro-Mini are something completely different from buying old cars on the used car market and then refurbish them. There are a lot of enthusiasts who are doing that and I don’t think that an automobile manufacturer should interfere with them.
Motor1 gives as source “Automedia” and mentions in an article dated September 19, 2017 General Motors as Opel’s parent company. What else should we considered as out of whack?
Facts on the other hand are:
1st: Some months ago we could read of the decision that the next Corsa would come in 2019 and would be based on a PSA architcture.
2nd: All Opel cars are being sold on Great Britain, branded as Vauxhall.
3rd: Opel’s development center ITEZ in Rüsselsheim is workin not only on Opel/Vauxhall branded cars, but also for other brands and markets. So what you can see testing on the Nürburgring or on public roads, will not necessarily get on the roads as Opel cars.
I’m wondering could this car actually be a legacy GM development product that pre-dated the PSA / GM sale of its Opel and Vauxhall operations? I guess that for at least a few more months, Russelheim will be directly involved in the completion of outstanding GM era projects.
for a few more years. Current external GM development contracts are said to provide work up to 2020.
And I would not exclude additional GM contracts coming in.
Not to mention my old speculation that PSA might try and draw GM into a development and production partnership for a common successor for Opel/Vauxhall Movano (coop w/ Renault), Peugeot Boxer/Citroën Jumper (coop Fiat Ducato, Ram Promaster) and Chevy Express/GMC Savana.