One of the most important new car launches at this year's
British Motor Show was that of the new Vauxhall Corsa. General Motors chose the London show to reveal both Opel and Vauxhall versions of the new car for the first time and the extents the company went to for publicity indicates just how important the new Corsa is. Stunts included delivering the Corsa to the show suspended under a helicopter and a team of abseilers revealed a huge poster of the Corsa on the side of the famous Spillers building in the Docklands.
On the Vauxhall stand, the message was very much that the new Corsa is a fun car. We really like its funky new styling, mixing cues from the
Tigra and
Astra, with a hint of the new Renault Clio at the rear. In particular, the three-door version takes on a new sportier role, in the same way that Vauxhall has done with the Astra Sport.
It is no surprise that the new car is claimed to have been improved in nearly every area, including technology available and standard safety equipment. Sitting into the Corsa, you'll appreciate the step up in terms of quality too. What did raise our eyebrows though is the price. The range starts from just £7.495 and is actually cheaper than the outgoing car. That should give Vauxhall's rivals a headache or two.
Shane O' Donoghue - 20 Jul 2006