The second-generation Vauxhall Corsa debuted in 2000 and ushered in a new era of quality for the model, while retaining the previous model's cheeky styling cues. Once again, it proved a huge hit with younger buyers, thanks in no small part to its affordable running costs and ability to put the fun back into driving.

New Vauxhall Corsa, which arrives in showrooms in October, builds on all of the successes of the previous generation Corsas. It's great to drive, exciting to look at and has a mischievous character all of its very own to once again help it steal the limelight, as proven when it debuted at the British International Motor Show in July. Naomi Campbell would be jealous all over again...


Vauxhall Corsa Chassis - Outstanding agility and top active safety

- Corsa gets completely new chassis
- First-in-class with variable progressive rate power steering
- Dynamics tuned to different engines and trim levels

It's no use having a car that looks fantastic if it can't live up to its dynamic appearance with great driver appeal, so GM's engineers have worked long and hard to ensure New Corsa has what it takes to reward from behind the wheel.

Designed from the ground-up on a completely new platform, New Corsa benefits from a completely fresh suspension design at both ends.

The front subframe is three times stiffer than before, so when mounted into a tauter, laser-welded bodyshell it delivers much sharper chassis control.

The subframe is shorter than the outgoing model's, meaning it weighs less and takes up a smaller amount of space, despite adding extra lateral strength to the car's structure. A new design of bush and suspension mount were created to offer the best in steering precision as well as comfort.

Low friction front axle stabilisers and dampened shock absorber mountings add further to the ride suppleness and dynamic agility, while suspension and damping load paths are separated via angular mountings to further cushion the ride.

At the rear, New Vauxhall Corsa uses a torsion beam rear axle, mounted into new V-shaped rear axle bushes, which enhance ride comfort while adding greater cornering agility. A special feature of the rear axle design is its flexibly adjusted roll steer - three different torsion profiles, with correspondingly tuned roll rates, mean the rear end can be set up to suit different engines and versions of Vauxhall Corsa. Or in other words, the set-up can be adjusted to suit a sports chassis or different type of engine without compromise.

The set-up combines the best of both worlds for New Vauxhall Corsa drivers. As well as the obvious comfort and handling benefits, it offers high stability and precise toe-angle control under cornering, or when loaded - with the added benefit of reduced tyre wear.

Vauxhall's designers also focused their efforts on New Vauxhall Corsa's steering to ensure it delivered the best in terms of feedback and driver confidence. The stiffened steering column is now adjustable for both rake and reach on most Corsa models, while speed-dependent Electronic Power Steering (EPS) is fitted across the range. On lower-range models, this alters the level of power assistance while on the move, giving the wheel a firmer feel at high speeds and lightening up in town or when parking, meaning New Vauxhall Corsa maintains high levels of manoeuvrability in urban environments while retaining the feel of a much bigger car outside the city limits.

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