We believe Flex-Fix sets new standards for on-board functionality, much in the same way as Zafira's Flex7 seating did when it took the MPV market by storm in 1999.


Vauxhall Corsa - Engines and economy

At launch, three petrol and two diesel engines will be on offer. Petrol choices will be a 1.0-litre three-cylinder, developing 60PS. A 1.2-litre four-cylinder with 80PS is next up, while the leading petrol unit will be a 90PS 1.4-litre.

Diesel engines will both initially be 1.3-litre CDTis, in either 75PS or 90PS guise. Soon after launch, an all-new 1.7-litre CDTi will appear, with an impressive 125PS and 280Nm of torque.

All of the units are efficient, with the petrol engines taking advantage if GM's celebrated TWINPORT technology to allow minimum fuel use with no compromise to performance. The diesels are especially fuel efficient, with the 1.3 CDTi 75PS returning upwards of 70mpg on an extra-urban cycle.

A choice of transmissions is available, with six-speed manual gearboxes fitted as standard to 1.3 CDTi 90 and 1.7-litre CDTi models, and optional Easytronic transmission on 1.2-litre TWINPORT versions. A conventional automatic is offered on 1.4-litre TWINPORT models.


Vauxhall Corsa - Driving dynamics

Excellent driving dynamics and outstanding handling were very much the key factors behind the development on New Corsa.

Extensive development on the car was carried out on British roads and at the Vauxhall Engineering Centre in Millbrook, Beds, as well as Opel's dedicated proving ground at Dudenhofen, Germany, to ensure it offered the best combination of sharp handling responses and ride comfort.

The car's body is significantly stiffer than before, while the platform was developed from the ground-up as an all-new design. It has a new short front subframe, allowing for optimum chassis geometry, and a torsion-beam rear axle with three roll-rate levels.

Depending on which engine is used, these provide an ideal alignment to the different front axle loads, ensuring the car remains level and stable at all times.

Other chassis features include a V-shaped positioning of the rear trailing arms, damping at the front axle and low-friction suspension joints, all helping deliver the best in ride quality.

An enhanced steering system also makes its debut in the new model. The height and reach-adjustable wheel controls a speed-dependent Electronic Power Steering system, which on sportier models has a variable ratio, making it easy to manoeuvre in town, but delivering a much meatier feel on faster stretches of road or when cruising at speed.

Optional ESP and Hill Start Assist further add to New Corsa's dynamic capabilities, while it also come with Straight Line Stability Control (SLS), which works in line with the Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) to help prevent the car from skidding under heavy braking, especially useful on uneven or badly cambered roads.

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