What is it?
This new version of the Vauxhall Corsa is surely Britain’s best-selling electric car elect.
As keenly priced and with a real-world electric range as good as a whole host of other recently arrived zero-emissions rivals, the Corsa-e isn't lacking in showroom appeal, nor in the number of Vauxhall showrooms across the country in which to be sold. Just as the Vauxhall Corsa supermini has been the first car of so many people over the years, the Corsa-e is likely to be the first electric car of many more.
We were impressed with the Vauxhall Corsa-e on first acquaintance, back in the early spring in Germany, when one could cross a border freely before you-know-what. And now, a touch later than advertised due to you-know-what, the Corsa-e is with Vauxhall dealers, ready to try to convert buyers from the pump to the plug. First, it must try to win us over in this initial UK test.
The story behind this new, sixth-generation Corsa is well known: hastily re-engineered from scratch when Opel-Vauxhall switched from General Motors ownership to the PSA Group, it made it through development in record time as a sibling to the Peugeot 208 and is offered with petrol, diesel and electric drivetrains, with little differences between the variants apart from the obvious.
Vauxhall, like all PSA brands, is adopting this multiple powertrain choice, including electric, across its future model lines rather than do stand-alone electric vehicles, because it believes electric becomes a less intimidating switch for buyers this way.
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perder gordura
I like it, it's a quite attractive looking car in a VW way that also doesn't offend and the interior may not be as exciting as the Peugeot's but it still looks smart.
What are you looking at under the bonnet? I can see the Aircon pipework but is that the motor and single speed gearbox taking up the space of the engine? I ask because the Nissan leaf is similar under the bonnet yet we are often told that EVs give more freedom for clever packaging, I can't see how this is if the motor assembly takes up similar room to an ice.
I agree with Si
Can't understand these constant sniping references to the 'plain' looks/interior, particularly in comparison to the 208. They're both attractive cars, though my personal preference would be for the Corsa. Rather than focus on the competiveness of the overall package, Autocar has to start the review with a negative. Redolent of similar comments re the Grandland Hybrid4 - again an attractively-styled car with an understated presence - where it's classy piano black/chrome/leather interior was criticised for being dull, as if such a combination is unknown in competitors! This not so hidden agenda is becoming tiresome.
Corsa e range
Purchased Elite Nav 7kw specification in May'20 and never since purchase had more than 138 miles range after being fully charged ! Even before I begin to travel on the road my range is limited, not as advertised by Vauxhall which is disappointing. Otherwise car is great.
Range issues
Range seems to vary usually on the lower side of manufacturers claims however I am finding the opposite with my Hyundai Ioniq. It's battery is considerably smaller than the eCorsa at 38kw versus 50kw and the claimed range is 194 versus 200 for the Corsa however my car is getting 180 in winter and 219 in summer which is amazing for such a small battery. My advice to achieve these levels is to change the way you drive and adapt to the car and it's technology, it's very cheap motoring with a charge costing a few quid..