New Corsa spied

Our snappers capture next-generation Vauxhall out on test

THE supermini sector is one of the most competitive around, which is why Vauxhall is already developing an all-new Corsa despite the latest model launching only two years ago.

Before this new Corsa arrives late in 2018, it will be beaten into showrooms by an all-new Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza. As a result, the stakes are high for the new Vauxhall.

What will become the fifth-generation Corsa has been spied for the first time testing in Germany. Compared with the current model, it appears to have undergone a more thorough redevelopment aimed at making it larger and more practical.

Viewed in profile, it’s clear the overall wheelbase of the new Corsa is longer than that of the current car. The bonnet and front overhang, however, are shorter to help the supermini maintain its compact dimensions.

Key to the change in size is a new platform, which is likely to be a smaller version of the architecture used on the Astra. Unlike the next Meriva, it won’t be shared with PSA (Peugeot Citroen).

As well as the growth spurt, another advantage of the new platform will be a significant reduction in weight, which will help improve fuel economy and emissions, boost performance and benefit handling.

The platform, which makes extensive use of high-strength but lightweight steels, helped the Astra shed 50kg alone over its predecessor. Lighter bodywork also shaved 77kg from the kerbweight, while a total of 200kg was cut from that model overall. We don’t expect the Corsa’s weight loss regime to be as dramatic as it is a lighter car to start with, but up to 100kg could be cut from the heaviest models, thanks to a combination of the new chassis and lighter panels.

A selection of engines from the Astra is likely to be carried over to the Corsa. That means the relatively new three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo, a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo and a 1.6-litre diesel could all feature.

It’s unclear yet if Vauxhall will follow other makers down the plug-in hybrid route, however. What we can expect, though, is another hot VXR variant – and that should deliver at least 200bhp.

“Viewed in profile, it’s clear that the overall wheelbase is longer than that of the current car”