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Opel Corsa

1998's world sales champion: 910,839 Corsas, five marques, four continents.1

Researched October 23, 2026 from 23 sources

At a glance

0150300
44.4–277.1 hpPower
01020
5.5–19.5 s0–100 km/h
0125250
140–230 km/hTop speed
0200400
68–345 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
735–1,629 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.123712

Engine
1.0–1.8 L petrol; 1.3–1.7 L diesel; F: electric and 1.2 L 48 V hybrid479
Layout
Front engine or motor, front-wheel drive17
Gearbox
4–6-speed manual; Easytronic; 4–8-speed auto; 6-speed DCT; single-speed EV1710
Built at
Corsa F: Opel Figueruelas, Spain; earlier: Zaragoza, Spain; Eisenach, Germany137
Units built
Opel Corsa: over 14.5 million built by 202211

The story

The Corsa filled Opel's supermini gap: developed in Rüsselsheim, launched in 1982 from a new Zaragoza plant. It also wore Vauxhall Nova/Corsa, Holden Barina, Chevrolet and Buick badges.12

1982: Corsa A: hatchback or TR sedan19821998: 910,839 sales in one year19982000: Corsa C introduces Easytronic20002003: Twinport shuts an intake at part load20032015: New VXR: 0–60 mph in 6.5 seconds20152019: PSA takeover sends Corsa F to CMP20192023: Vizor face, 405 km electric range20232026: Electric GSE: 0–100 km/h in 5.5 s2026 Opel Corsa A / Vauxhall Nova (S83): 1982–1993S83Opel Corsa B (S93): 1993–2000 (Europe)S93Opel Corsa C (C): 2000–2006COpel Corsa D (D): 2006–2014DOpel Corsa E (E): 2014–2019EOpel Corsa F (F): 2019–presentF 1990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones134710131517
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1982–1993Opel Corsa A / Vauxhall Nova (S83)
1993–2000 (Europe)Opel Corsa B (S93)
2000–2006Opel Corsa C (C)
2006–2014Opel Corsa D (D)
2014–2019Opel Corsa E (E)
2019–presentOpel Corsa F (F)
1982Corsa A: hatchback or TR sedan
1998910,839 sales in one year
2000Corsa C introduces Easytronic
2003Twinport shuts an intake at part load
2015New VXR: 0–60 mph in 6.5 seconds
2019PSA takeover sends Corsa F to CMP
2023Vizor face, 405 km electric range
2026Electric GSE: 0–100 km/h in 5.5 s
  1. 1982

    Corsa A: hatchback or TR sedan

    The Corsa A launches with 1.0, 1.2 and 1.3 L petrol engines. Its hatchback is 3.62 m long; the TR sedan stretches to 3.95 m.123

  2. 1998

    910,839 sales in one year

    With five marques and assembly on four continents, the Corsa leads worldwide car sales for the year.1

  3. 2000

    Corsa C introduces Easytronic

    The 1.2 L Corsa C gains an automated manual. A 1.8 L GSi follows in February 2001 with 123 hp.4

  4. 2003

    Twinport shuts an intake at part load

    Corsa C's 1.0 and 1.4 L engines gain two intake ports per cylinder, one closable at part load. The 1.2 L gets Twinport for model year 2005.4

  5. 2015

    New VXR: 0–60 mph in 6.5 seconds

    The new VXR reaches 230 km/h and beats the Fiesta ST for pace and grip; the Ford's superior damping still earns it the driving verdict.56

  6. 2019

    PSA takeover sends Corsa F to CMP

    The takeover triggers a platform rethink. Corsa F arrives with petrol, diesel and electric versions; Corsa-e supports 100 kW DC charging.78

  7. 2023

    Vizor face, 405 km electric range

    Corsa F gets the Vizor nose; its EV becomes Corsa Electric. A 51 kWh battery brings 405 km WLTP, with 48 V hybrids following in February 2024.78

  8. 2026

    Electric GSE: 0–100 km/h in 5.5 s

    Unveiled in May for a 2026 launch, the electric GSE pairs 277 hp with a 54 kWh battery, a Torsen differential and a claimed 5.5-second 0–100 km/h.7

Every generation

  • Opel Kadett City
    C
  • Vauxhall Chevette
    Vauxhall ChevetteUntil 1984
  • Opel Corsa A / Vauxhall Nova
    S831982–1993
  • Opel Corsa B
    S931993–2000 (Europe)
  • Opel Corsa C
    C2000–2006
  • Opel Corsa D
    D2006–2014
  • Opel Corsa E
    E2014–2019
  • Opel Corsa F
    F2019–present

Power over the years

From 44 hp to 277 hp in 44 years.

0100200300 19801990200020102020 hp 1982 · 44 hp · Corsa A 1.0 L1993 · 107 hp · Corsa B 1.6 GSi 16V2001 · 123 hp · Corsa C 1.8 GSi2007 · 189 hp · Corsa D OPC 1.6 Turbo2019 · 128 hp · Corsa F 1.2 petrol: 74/99/128 hp2019 · 134 hp · Corsa-e; 50 kWh, 337 km WLTP2023 · 154 hp · Corsa Electric; 51 kWh, 405 km WLTP2024 · 134 hp · 1.2 Turbo Hybrid 48 V: 100/134 hp2025 · 143 hp · 1.2 Turbo Hybrid 48 V: 108/143 hp2026 · 277 hp · Corsa GSE, 54 kWh 277 hp Corsa GSE, 54 kWh 44 hp Corsa A 1.0 L
14791013
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
198244Corsa A 1.0 L
1993107Corsa B 1.6 GSi 16V
2001123Corsa C 1.8 GSi
2007189Corsa D OPC 1.6 Turbo
2019128Corsa F 1.2 petrol: 74/99/128 hp
2019134Corsa-e; 50 kWh, 337 km WLTP
2023154Corsa Electric; 51 kWh, 405 km WLTP
20241341.2 Turbo Hybrid 48 V: 100/134 hp
20251431.2 Turbo Hybrid 48 V: 108/143 hp
2026277Corsa GSE, 54 kWh

Versions

8 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Corsa F Edition

    Standard

    Corsa F Edition

    2019–

  • Corsa A GSi / Nova GTE

    Performance

    Corsa A GSi / Nova GTE

    97 hp
  • Corsa B GSi 16V

    Performance

    Corsa B GSi 16V

    1993–2000

  • Performance

    Corsa C 1.8 GSi

    2001–2006

    123 hp
  • Corsa D OPC / VXR

    Performance

    Corsa D OPC / VXR

    2007–2014

    189 hp

  • Performance

    Corsa E GSi

    148 hp
  • Corsa D OPC Nürburgring Edition

    Limited

    Corsa D OPC Nürburgring Edition

    2011–2014

    208 hp

  • Limited

    Corsa D VXR Clubsport

    2014

    202 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Corsa A hatchbacks: pronounced blistered wheelarches.1
  • Corsa B: rounded body, wide-eyed headlights and plastic wheelarch extensions.1113
  • Corsa B five-doors have a third side window, steeper rear pillars and slimmer tail lamps.1316
  • Corsa D VXR: rear spoiler, diffuser and a triangular exhaust opening in the center.5
  • Corsa F: five-door body only; the facelift brings the Vizor front panel.7

Year by year

  1. Corsa A: 1987

    Revised grille on most models; hatchbacks gain a push-button tailgate handle, sedans a black ribbed panel between the tail lamps.3

  2. Corsa A: 1990

    New bumpers and lights; Opel badge moves from grille to hood. Inside, a completely redesigned dashboard.3

  3. Corsa B: 1997

    New bumpers, wider side moldings, fender turn repeaters and a third brake light; a three-spoke airbag wheel updates the cabin.8

  4. Corsa C: 2003

    Reworked bumpers and grille chrome, plus ellipsoid headlamps on selected trims; rear fog light moves lower.8

  5. Corsa D: 2011

    Eagle-eye headlights and DRLs, a trapezoidal mesh grille and outboard fog lights; the rear changes only through its Opel emblem.8

  6. Corsa F: 2023

    The Vizor front appears, and Corsa-e becomes Corsa Electric; both EV names refer to the Corsa F.7

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Opel Corsa
    Corsa
    Photo of a Opel Adam
    Opel Adam

    Opel Adam

    The Corsa E echoes the Adam's styling; its larger body is the distinguishing clue.17

Against its rivals

  • Ford Fiesta ST

    Corsa vs Ford Fiesta ST

    List price (2018) lower is better

    Corsa18,995 £
    Ford Fiesta ST19,245 £
    615
  • Ford Fiesta ST-Line 1.0 EcoBoost

    Corsa vs Ford Fiesta ST-Line 1.0 EcoBoost

    List price (2018) lower is better

    Corsa18,995 £
    Ford Fiesta ST-Line 1.0 EcoBoost17,965 £
    15
  • Suzuki Swift Sport

    Corsa vs Suzuki Swift Sport

    Power

    Corsa148 hp
    Suzuki Swift Sport138 hp
    15

Prices

Price when new
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 199520002005201020152020 1993 · $11,100 · Germany Corsa B base; DM to ~USD2007 · $27,300 · Germany GSi 3-door; EUR to ~USD2007 · $30,900 · Germany OPC; EUR to ~USD2008 · $33,400 · Germany OPC; EUR to ~USD2011 · $32,900 · Germany OPC facelift; EUR to ~USD2012 · $35,700 · Germany Nürburgring; EUR to ~USD2014 · $37,800 · Germany Nürburgring; EUR to ~USD2015 · $27,500 · UK VXR; GBP to ~USD2018 · $25,300 · UK GSi; GBP to ~USD2019 · $15,700 · Germany Corsa F base; EUR to ~USD
571012131516
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1993Price when new$11,100Germany Corsa B base; DM to ~USD
2007Price when new$27,300Germany GSi 3-door; EUR to ~USD
2007Price when new$30,900Germany OPC; EUR to ~USD
2008Price when new$33,400Germany OPC; EUR to ~USD
2011Price when new$32,900Germany OPC facelift; EUR to ~USD
2012Price when new$35,700Germany Nürburgring; EUR to ~USD
2014Price when new$37,800Germany Nürburgring; EUR to ~USD
2015Price when new$27,500UK VXR; GBP to ~USD
2018Price when new$25,300UK GSi; GBP to ~USD
2019Price when new$15,700Germany Corsa F base; EUR to ~USD

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 8 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “910,839 sales in one year”
    • “500 Nova Sports, two Weber carburetors”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 23 sources
  1. Opel Corsa - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Opel Corsa wird 40: Fahrbericht von 1982 auto-motor-und-sport.de
  3. Opel Corsa A – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  4. Opel Corsa C – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  5. The evolution of the Corsa VXR | evo evo.co.uk
  6. Vauxhall Corsa VXR review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | evo evo.co.uk
  7. Opel Corsa F – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  8. Chronik Corsa opel-team-niedersachsen.de
  9. Used Opel Corsa F (since 2019): reliability, common problems and prices quelleoccasion.com
  10. Opel Corsa D – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  11. Fascination Corsa - Opel POST opelpost.com
  12. Ascona C Info Seite - Opel Corsa D OPC / Vauxhall Corsa VXR ascona-info.de
  13. Opel Corsa B – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  14. Used Vauxhall Corsa (2014-2019) buying guide | Carwow carwow.co.uk
  15. Vauxhall Corsa GSi review - too little too late? | evo evo.co.uk
  16. Corsa B opel-team-niedersachsen.de
  17. Opel Corsa E – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  18. Hideo Kodama (designer) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Opel Corsa Sport sorgt auf der Langstrecke für Furore | ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie nuerburgring-langstrecken-serie.de
  20. Playseat Car Pack Brings Seven New Cars to FH3 Tomorrow – GTPlanet gtplanet.net
  21. “Unbelievable-Wild-Awesome” - Opel POST opelpost.com
  22. Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo Unveiled - NEWS - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  23. Used Vauxhall Corsa review: 2014-2019 (Mk4) - Reliability and common problems | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • evo.co.uk
  • opel-team-niedersachsen.de
  • quelleoccasion.com
  • opelpost.com
  • ascona-info.de
  • carwow.co.uk
  • nuerburgring-langstrecken-serie.de
  • gtplanet.net
  • gran-turismo.com
  • carbuyer.co.uk

Photo credits

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