Opel/Vauxhall Have Just Learnt How To Use Copy And Paste

The Vauxhall/Opel Corsa is one of the most important cars for the company. Why? Well, the Corsa does, and always has done, sell like hotcakes. The secret to the recipe seems to be a car that's easy to manoeuvre, decent looking and good on fuel. Not a list to set the petrolhead world alight, but most people don't give a stuff about speed and what their wheels look like.

The current generation has done very well, with it being the best-selling car in Scotland currently. However, the model is getting pretty long in the tooth - it has been on sale since 2006 after all, with only a mild exterior refresh in 2011. Unsurprisingly then, Opel/Vauxhall have just revealed the brand new model, and oh dear...


Before I continue, take a long stare at the new car with these two pictures of the exterior. Take as long as you wish.

Focus on the side of the car and then look at the current model. Hmmm.

Now don't get me wrong, this new Corsa is far from ugly, but I do think we have found a brand new Porsche. Allow me to explain: Porsche do make excellent cars, but their designs are known for being duplicates of the previous model. Of course, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it', and that philosophy works well for a sports icon such as the iconic 911. But for a competitive small hatchback? Nah.

If you look at this car side on, it looks identical to the current model. We are talking about a brand new car that has heavy design cues from a concept shown eleven years ago. After a few more minutes of studying in disgust, I have decided it looks like the Adam and the current Corsa have shared a bed.

Points are redeemed inside, as the interior looks nothing like the current model. However, the infotainment system is lifted straight from the Adam. The interior looks clean with plenty of soft-touch materials, although there is certainly nothing groundbreaking in there. Arguably though, that's a good thing. If the interior is played safe, then it won't scare the broad range of customers away. Opel/Vauxhall have probably used the same approach for the similar exterior too; but I still see no excuse to be that lazy.

Engines available at launch will be a 1.0L three-pot, developing 89 or a peppy 113bhp. Additionally, there is an ancient 1.2L engine making a weedy 69bhp. I'd probably avoid that. There will also be one diesel, a 1.3CDTI making either 74 or 94bhp. Hopefully there will be a hot OPC/VXR version coming soon, which should turn this car into a looker. Expect power to be around the 200bhp mark.

Opel/Vauxhall, you need to sit on the naughty step for being lazy.