Of Corsa, it's great!

Opel’s new Corsa is still recognisably like its predecessor, even if it is a bigger car and one of more substance. The temptation to create a shape that was radically different from what has gone before was resisted.

Tampering with a successful formula can be risky in the volume business: there’s wise adherence to the old maxim that “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”. Corsa in its two previous generations sold more than nine million units. Being produced in nine body styles at 11 plants in five continents makes it also most deservedly a world car.

So what of the third generation that makes its Irish debut in late October? The photographic frontal impression may suggest that it is merely a much smartened-up version of the old second-generation car but that’s not quite the case. The new face of Corsa actually shows up best at the rear with the rear light clusters set high up on the C pillars, enhancing the visual character.

The front is somewhat more bland or conventional. But the brief for Hans Demant, Opel’s chief of engineering, was more than just looks, it was feel and touch and improved driving comfort, especially with ride and handling.

It was a root-and-branch reworking of Corsa and it started in 1996. Our first drive was in heavily disguised prototypes away back in February in the heat and dust of South Africa. There was a lot of dust because much of the driving was over scorched red earth tracks, not the sort of terrain which would be Corsa’s natural habitat. We were taking part in a curiously-named “media validation drive”.

A small group of European motoring journalists gave their opinions and suggestions to engineers representing all the disciplines like chassis, powertrain, trim and NVH (the acronym for noise, vibration and harshness).

The South African experience meant some small but significant last-minute improvements to the Corsa. These included reducing the wind noise caused by outside mirrors, making the power windows work more quickly, better tuning of the ventilation air flow, allowing the centre rear headrest to slide down further for better rear vision, and modifying the rear axle bushings to eliminate a squeaking noise.

The Corsa I drove last week in southern Holland was in pristine condition and enlivened by some incredibly interesting new colours like metallic green and gold, pink and blue.

The driving concentrated on the versions that will account for the bulk of Irish sales, namely the 1.0 litre 58 bhp three-cylinder and the 1.2 litre with 74bhp. The Irish line-up will also offer a 1.4 litre 89bhp and two 1.7 litre direct injection turbodiesels with 64 and 74 bhp. Basic or entry-level models come with the Comfort badge: other specification levels are Sport and Elegance.

Both 1.0 and 1.2 litre engines have had their power output increased and it shows. They are more responsive, particularly the 1.2 which is up from 64bhp. The driving characteristics are smooth and unfussy, more like that of a bigger medium segment car.

Opel claims that fuel economy is also better with the 1.0 litre capable of doing more than 50 mpg in normal running. The pair of Corsas were also composed when pushed into hilly bends in Holland’s only bit of hill country near Maastricht.

Cars are probably bought more for their looks than their driving skills and Opel has put a lot of work into the interior ambience. Compared with the old car, it’s more spacious and the cabin itself gets the aesthetic seal of approval with plastics that don’t look too plastic and feel robustly textured. Drivers of most shapes and sizes should be able to position themselves comfortably at the wheel. In the rear, headlining which climbs up and away from passengers, means more headroom.

Safety hasn’t been forgotten: Opel claims that the bodyshell is 33 per cent stronger than before. The higher specification versions will offer airbags for side impacts and an anti-whiplash system which cradles and supports the head in the event of a collision. Boot space is more flexible: the split rear seats can be fixed upright or dropped forward to create additional space.

Back to driving. In our test last week, we also sampled Opel’s innovative Easytronic, combining the driving convenience of an automatic with the efficiency and sporting character of a manual gearbox.

Easytronic avoids our prejudices about increased fuel consumption and limited responsiveness because it’s more frugal than even a manual and very responsive, while the cost should be 50 per cent lower than for a conventional automatic. It’s certainly a space to watch.

The latest Corsa is now freshly equipped to do battle in the enormously competitive supermini sector. It has no shortage of formidable challengers, products like the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris and Fiat Punto. With a stronger quality feel and much improved on-road ability it seems set in its third generation to add more than a few million customers to the nine million who have already been there.