New Opel 88 g/km CO2 (71 mpg US) diesel Corsa ecoFLEX model; 26% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2, 26% boost in performance over 5 years
15 October 2012
|
|
| Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX. Click to enlarge. |
GM’s Opel has introduced a diesel Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFlex model with stop-start technology which consumes 3.3 l/100 km (71.3 mpg US)—equivalent to 88 g CO2/km in its three-door version, and 3.4 l/100 km (69 mpg US) and 89 g/km CO2) in its five-door version.
Over the last five years from the first Corsa ecoFLEX (earlier post) to this latest model, says Mike Ableson, Opel Vice President Engineering, Opel engineers have been able to reduce consumption and CO2 emissions by about 26% (from about 4.4 l/100km and 119 g/km), while at the same time increasing performance by more than 26%. The last generation Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, introduced in 2011, offered fuel consumption of 3.5 liters diesel per 100 km (67 mpg US) and emissions of 94 g/km CO2. Enhancements to the latest model include:
The turbodiesel was equipped with a variable displacement oil pump that delivers only the necessary oil pressure. It varies oil volume depending on the load in order to reduce the energy needed for oil circulation to a minimum.
The use of a special low-viscosity transmission oil.
Adjustment of engine mappings in the engine control module.
|
|
| 1.3L CDTI with stop-start. Click to enlarge. |
From November 2012 the Corsa will also feature the new generation of Opel-engineered manual transmissions that ensure even more precise and smooth gear shifting. Engineers achieved a reduction of friction and shift forces as well as gearshift travel.
The base transmission was comprehensively re-worked: new gears and modified parts including shift rods and the fork shaft were used. The end result is high shift comfort and optimized operation in cold and warm conditions. New 185/65 R15 low-rolling-resistance tires also contribute to the Corsa’s efficiency.
The 70 kW/95 hp turbodiesel delivers 190 N·m (140 lb-ft) of torque between 1,750 and 3,250 rpm and accelerates the Corsa from zero to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds; maximum speed is 177 km/h (110 mph).
Opel engineers also optimized the chassis for all Corsa variants (except the OPC Nürburgring Edition). The suspension and damper system now compensates for uneven road surfaces even more gently and smoothly, thus improving driving comfort. This is of particular advantage when driving on rough roads or during low-speed driving in urban areas.
The Opel Corsa accounts for more than 28% of Opel/Vauxhall’s total sales volume. Around 12 million units of four model generations have been sold to date. The Corsa is available with diesel, gasoline and LPG propulsion with outputs ranging from 51 kW/70 hp to 155 kW/210 hp.
Good but not quite state-of-the-art. Ford Focus is a significantly larger car with a larger and more powerful engine, yet it gives the same fuel consumption and CO2. The new (also larger) VW Golf will improve marginally on those figures.
Posted by: Peter_XX | 16 October 2012 at 12:09 AM
As a smaller car, this will probably be 15-20% cheaper than a Golf/Focus.
If you don't need the size, this could be a very good car.
Posted by: mahonj | 17 October 2012 at 02:52 AM