All three of the petrol engines, in 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4-litre capacities, have a lightweight aluminium cylinder head mated to a cast iron block, while the crankshaft and camshafts are both hollowed out to save weight. The twin overhead camshafts are driven by a maintenance-free chain, meaning there's no need for belt changes.

The entry-level engine is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit with four valves per cylinder, which offers reasonable performance coupled to excellent economy and low emissions. The unit develops 60PS at 5,600rpm and 88Nm of torque at 3,800rpm, giving it a top speed of 93mph and a 0-60mph time of 17.0 seconds. The unit can achieve up to 61.4mpg, and has a low CO2 figure of just 134g/km

Moving on to four-cylinder petrol engines, 1.2-litre models develop 80PS at 5,600rpm and 110Nm of torque at 4,000rpm, giving a top speed of 104mph and a 0-60mph time of 13.0 seconds, while 1.4-litre versions develop 90PS at 5,600rpm, 125Nm of torque at 4,000rpm and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 11.8 seconds, on to a top speed of 107mph where conditions allow.

Two common-rail diesels are available at launch, with a third due to follow later in the year. At launch, both models will come with different versions of Vauxhall's acclaimed 1.3-litre CDTi engine, previously voted as an Engine of the Year by Engine Technology International.

Entry-level diesels get a 75PS version of the lightweight powerplant, which develops its peak power at 4,000rpm and creates 170Nm of torque between 1,750 and 2,500rpm. A more powerful version of the same engine develops 90PS at 4,000rpm and 200Nm of torque, also between 1,750 and 2,000rpm. Both units are equipped with an intercooler, and offer exceptional fuel economy and impressive refinement.

The third diesel engine is an all-new 1.7-litre CDTi unit, developing 125PS. The powerplant delivers its peak power at 4,000rpm and puts out 280Nm of torque at 2,300rpm, making it the most powerful Corsa in the initial line-up.

A choice of transmissions will be offered on New Corsa, with standard equipment on all petrol versions being a five-speed manual gearbox. The 75PS 1.3 CDTi models will also get a five-speed box as standard, but the 90PS 1.3CDTi and the 125PS 1.7 CDTi come with a six-speed manual shift.

Two-pedal transmission is available on two New Vauxhall Corsa models. The 1.2-litre petrol can be ordered with GM's patented 'Easytronic' transmission, which allows the driver to make manual changes without using a clutch, or can be operated in fully automatic mode.

A conventional four-speed automatic transmission will be offered on 1.4-litre petrol models.


Vauxhall Corsa Crash safety - Bags, belts, bonnets and brakes keep Vauxhall Corsa safe.

- Integrated safety system for New Vauxhall Corsa
- First-in-class double seat belt pre-tensioners
- Front end designed for pedestrian impact protection

In the past, small cars weren't the safest place to be in the event of an accident. But New Vauxhall Corsa is very much a car of a new generation, with a complex, fully integrated crash safety system.

While Vauxhall has gone to great lengths to ensure that Vauxhall Corsa's agile chassis and standard active safety features will help you avoid an accident in the first place, we accept that sometimes a collision is inevitable.

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