Vauxhall CORSA EXPRESSION
Vauxhalls Corsa Has Tough Competition To Face, Even From Within Its Own Franchise. Hence The Need For This Tightly-Priced Entry-Level Expression Model. Jonathan Crouch Reports
Since the launch of Vauxhalls tiny Agila Citycar, the companys supermini Corsa line-up has found itself with some internal showroom competition. Hence the importance of the extra-value entry-level Corsa Expression featured here. It offers all the latest Corsas virtues from an affordable £6,995 and with its 1.0-litre petrol or 1.
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3-litre diesel engines, is frugal to own not least because its eligible for the lower road fund licence.
Only the three-door bodystyle is available to Expression buyers but they do get a drivers airbag, EBA emergency brake assist, side-impact protection, tinted glass, speed-sensitive power steering and a rear wash-wipe, included in the price. The 1E insurance grouping (group 2 for the diesel) shouldnt break the bank and you get all the benefits of the latest Corsa package itself. This current Corsa has much to offer over its predessesor. Comprehensively re-fitted for the latest model year, it features a more aggressive underbumper air intake across the range.
The headlights are fashionably complex jewel effect units that
Vauxhall dub 3D lamps due to the trio of cylindrical housings for low beam, high beam and indicators. All models feature colour-keyed bumpers and these are fitted with impact-absorbent inserts to reduce the cost of typical supermarket car park knocks and scrapes. The Expression gets two of the four engines to arrive with this facelift and all Corsas now feature electric speed sensitive steering along with a shorter rack, which quickens up the steering feel considerably.
"There are more charismatic Superminis but few that add up to quite as much for the money."
If you can afford the £8,555 for the 1.3-litre CDTi engine, youll be buying a really top-class powerplant but, then again, the 1.0-litre is very impressive in its own right especially in view of its paultry £6,995 asking price. Using Vauxhalls Twinport variable intake manifold technology, it sips petrol at the rate of 53mpg, acceleration of 15.
0s isnt earth-shattering but a top speed of 97mph will be more than enough for most. The more expensive diesel option will make visits to the filling station a real rarity, 63mpg is this vehicles miserly combined economy figure and it will still reach 60mph in 13.5s before top out at over 100mph. In terms of packaging, the Corsa is up amongst the leaders in the Supermini sector.
Thanks to a huge wheelbase, the little Vauxhall now has as much space inside as competitors like Fiats Punto and Skodas Fabia. Three inches of extra shoulder width make all the difference in creating a car that feels large enough to be something from the next class up. Nor do the big car-cues stop there. As already mentioned, even this base model gets a clever electric power steering system that needs less than three turns lock-to-lock for easy town work, yet feels composed and settled over the kind of longer motorway trips that this latest Corsa now takes in its stride.
Nice touches? Well, theres plenty of storage space, with large door bins and a shallow tray beneath the front passenger
seat. Plus theres a sunglasses holder by the drivers head. Youll also like the way the rear wash and wipe activates when you select reverse in the rain. And the infotainment system you can upgrade to include everything from a telephone to satellite navigation.
Gripes include cupholders which are actually almost useless indentations in the glove box lid. Oh and split-folding rear seats that dont fold flat. Which is a pity since in every other respect, the loading possibilities are impressive: up to 1060 litres of space is available with everything folded. Ironically, this 3-doors boot is more spacious than that of the 5-door version. You have to give Vauxhall credit when it comes to keeping down the cost of ownership. This car requires servicing only every 20,000 miles (or once a year) and prices for replacement parts and insurance are amongst the lowest in the class.
On the safety front, Vauxhall has made great efforts to give buyers confidence. The car has been designed to accommodate both front passenger, side and window bags. All five passengers get three-point safety belts and there are active front head restraints at the front to reduce whiplash injuries. Add a pedalbox that gets out of the way of your feet in an impact and a bodyshell thats 30% stiffer and youve the recipe for a strong safety showing.
All in all then, an impressive effort that leapfrogs the little Vauxhall to a place amongst the leaders in a particularly competitive class. But then, with well over half a million Corsas due to be produced every year from now on (an eighth of the entire General Motors World output), this car just has to be good. In summary, a recipe that in Expression form, makes more sense than ever. There are more charismatic Superminis but few that add up to quite as much for the money.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Vauxhall Corsa Expression range
PRICES: £6,995 - £8,555 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 1E - 2
CO2 EMISSIONS: 122-127g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.0] Max Speed 97mph / 0-60mph 15.0s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.3CDTi] (combined) 63mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Drivers airbag, side-impact beams, EBA.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 3817/1646/1440mm
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