The “made in Spain” Opel Corsa turns 40

by time news

The Opel Corsa blows out its 40th birthday candles. Far from facing the dreaded crisis of the 40this urban car, produced in Zaragoza exclusively for the whole world, remains faithful to the youthful and daring spirit and the reliability of German engineering with the same intensity as when its first generation was launched in 1982.

But to understand the popularity of the Opel Corsa since its debut in 1982, it is first necessary to look at another successful model with the Blitz, the Opel Kadett. A small car thought and designed to bring mobility to more people at a time when driving a car was still a real luxury. Later, and over the decades, customers quickly became more demanding as their purchasing power improved. The little Kadett became bigger and more powerful in the second half of the 20th century, approaching the compact segment in each of its new versions. This left a void in what was the usual model of access to the Rüsselsheim range.

So the time has come a new small vehicle, the Corsican. The new model rolled off the production line for the first time in the autumn of 1982 at the newly built car plant in Zaragoza, and immediately set out on the path to becoming a best-seller for Opel.

Secondary image 1 - Three of the previous generations of the Opel Corsa
Secondary image 2 - Three of the previous generations of the Opel Corsa

Three of the previous generations of the Opel Corsa

P. F.

The Corsa A featured tight proportions with a length of just 3.62 meters. I had eye-catching and widened wheel arches like a rally car and an exceptionally low drag coefficient of 0.36 possibly breaking records in its segment. Chief designer Erhard Schnell had created a sporty little car with sharp, chiseled lines. The most prominent was the 100 hp Corsa GSi, and a diesel engine was also incorporated. Two-door and sedan bodies were expanded in 1985 with the addition of the popular five-door model. The Corsa A became a highly acclaimed sales success, with 3.1 million units built.

Opel Corsa

special commemorative edition

The four decades of the brand’s streetwear are accompanied by a very special numbered limited edition, the Opel Corsa 40 Aniversarioavailable only at the Opel Store and open days throughout the Dealer Network: the Opel Anniversary Days.

With only 1,982 numbered units for sale throughout Europe, the Opel Corsa 40th Anniversary hits the market with the aim of being a real fetish for collectors, lovers of the brand or nostalgic eighties. This limited edition incorporates nods to the first generation of the Opel Corsa, such as its new Rekord Red body tone, very similar to the one used 40 years ago to present the Corsa A, and a reinterpretation of the mythical Scottish plaid upholstery that characterized this model.

Special edition for the 40th anniversary

P. F.

However, the Opel Corsa 40 Aniversario does not stop at the successes of this model or the wonderful 80s. The red of the bodywork is combined with the roof and decorative elements in black, which gives it a very contemporary feel. Nor does it renounce dynamism, as evidenced by its gloss black 17” wheels with gray inserts, and its range of engines: with a 100 hp gasoline engine and also in a 100% electric version. The latest technologies are part of the experience, with LED headlights, a multimedia radio compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and driving assistance features such as Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Braking and Pedestrian Detection.

In addition to launching this limited edition of the Opel Corsa, the brand celebrates four decades of its most popular model with the Opel Anniversary Daysopen days that will take place throughout the Opel Dealership Network from September 19 to 24, with vehicles available with immediate delivery and unique advantages in models such as the Opel Mokka, the Opel Crossland or the Opel Corsa itself.

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