New 2010 Opel Corsa ecoFLEX Offers More Power, Drops Fuel Consumption to 3.7L/100km, 98 gCO2/km
30 October 2009
| The new Opel Corsa ecoFLEX debuts in January 20109. Click to enlarge. |
Starting in January 2010, the new Opel Corsa ecoFLEX will offer improved fuel economy with increased power compared to its model year 2009 predecessor. (Earlier post.) Powered by a 70 kW/95 hp 1.3 CDTI diesel engine boosted by a turbo with a variable geometry, the new Corsa ecoFLEX offers 28% more power than the previous generation Corsa ecoFLEX even though fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are cut by some 10%. The price is the same as the standard 90 hp Corsa 1.3 CDTI.
With N·m 190 of torque available between 1750 and 3250 rpm, the new Corsa ecoFLEX needs only 3.7 L/100 km (63.6 mpg US), releasing just 98 g/km CO2 as a three-door. The five-door Corsa emits 99 g/km. The 2009 model year Corsa ecoFLEX has a fuel consumption rating of 4.1 L/100km (57.4 mpg US), with CO2 emissions of 109 g/km.
Both three-door and five-door versions are equipped with a standard Diesel Particulate Filter. With this Corsa ecoFLEX, fleet and private drivers in many European countries may benefit from special eco tax advantages without polluting the air with diesel particulates.
The engine of the new Corsa ecoFLEX combines low CO2 and high performance. Opel engineers achieved this by using a turbo with variable turbine geometry, which significantly improves the engine’s performance. To support the higher turbo pressure, engineers slightly reduced the compression ratio from 18 to 16.8:1.
Opel engineers optimized the calibration on the engine; they greatly increased low-end torque and the peak power, making a new transmission set-up possible: A longer transmission gear ratio was selected for the five-speed unit. The new 95 hp has a top speed of 177 km/h (110 mph) and accelerates to 100 km/h from a standstill in 12.3 seconds.
Aerodynamics has been improved by lowering the car by 20 mm and optimizing the air flows via the air intakes. Wheels are fitted with newly designed, more efficient wheel caps. The Corsa ecoFLEX is equipped with special, 175/70 tires that are roll-resistance-optimized and fitted to lighter, flow formed , 14” steel wheels—15” wheels are optional.
If Opel can do it, so should the Big-3 on this side of the ocean.
Will we also have access to 60+ mpg locally built cars.
Posted by: HarveyD | 30 October 2009 at 06:53 AM
You might have to wait a while, its not going to be available in Europe till January 20109!
Posted by: 3PeaceSweet | 30 October 2009 at 08:23 AM
I want to pound the table...the CAFE standards (set by US EPA) need to be reset now at very ambitious targets. 35 MPG fleet average in the US can be easily achieved in five years without exotic technology or even much of a vehicle price impact. Pickups and SUV's need to have a separate fleet avg with equally ambitious targets.
Posted by: nordic | 30 October 2009 at 09:57 AM
The european average mpg is 36! There is only one car manufactured in America that can achieve their average--the new Ford hybrid.
Posted by: creativforce | 30 October 2009 at 12:33 PM
The Opel Corsa is a Saturn Astra in the US.
MSRP $17000-$19600. Saturn is history now.
You'd think that GM could have brought this to the US for a MSRP under $24000.
Posted by: dursun | 30 October 2009 at 01:48 PM
dursun, the Opel Astra is/was a Saturn Astra. The Corsa is smaller than the Astra. The Astra has not been offered in the US in any form. I would love to see Opel split from GM and sell its own cars in the US, since GM clearly can't bring itself to sell its best cars over here. Not likely, I know, but one can always dream. In the meantime, I'll go an buy another VW.
Posted by: Peter9909 | 30 October 2009 at 07:03 PM