Opel and its sister brand from Britain have just launched an all-new Corsa supermini model. It's their fifth in a lineup of relatively successful cars. Since the first one came out over 30 years ago, they sold 12 million of these things, thanks to their affordability and ease of use. In Germany and most of central Europe, they are a common sight. However, what's not common is the Opel Corsa Cabrio… since it has never existed.
Based on press images of the Corsa 3-door, graphic manipulator X-Tomi Design has chopped the roof to make a convertible. As interesting as the photo may be, Opel has never offered such a car and will probably never do so. Why? Because convertibles are selling worse than ever and the Corsa is too small anyway.
However, the Corsa Cabrio is technically feasible and has a predecessor as well. Between 2004 and 2009, the company built and sold the Tigra B, a so-called TwinTop with a folding metal roof. It measured 3,921mm (154.4 inches) and was heavily based on the Corsa C platform.
Like its rival, the Nissan Micra CC, it was scrapped due to lack of demand. French carmaker Renault also tried its hand at such a car, the cool-looking Wind, and eventually had to admit defeat. In fact, the only supermini convertibles that are still in production are the Peugeot 207 CC and the premium MINI Roadster.
Opel already has such a solution in place on the Adam Rocks. Peugeot, Citroen and Renault also have it as an option on their latest A-segment mini hatches. However, only the DS3 offers this in the B-segment.
Both 3-door and 5-door models can be equipped with Opel's new 1-liter turbo engine that produces either 90 or 115 horsepower. The company says the Corsa E is a grown-up car in a 4 meter package. The suspension has been tweaked for comfort and a new steering system features a city mode where assistance is maximized to make the rack light.
However, the Corsa Cabrio is technically feasible and has a predecessor as well. Between 2004 and 2009, the company built and sold the Tigra B, a so-called TwinTop with a folding metal roof. It measured 3,921mm (154.4 inches) and was heavily based on the Corsa C platform.
Like its rival, the Nissan Micra CC, it was scrapped due to lack of demand. French carmaker Renault also tried its hand at such a car, the cool-looking Wind, and eventually had to admit defeat. In fact, the only supermini convertibles that are still in production are the Peugeot 207 CC and the premium MINI Roadster.
The alternative: a fabric roof
Some carmakers have recently re-discovered the folding fabric roof solution, like the one offered by early Twingos. This is cheaper to develop for the company, cheaper to buy for the customer and also conserves most of the car's structural rigidity.Opel already has such a solution in place on the Adam Rocks. Peugeot, Citroen and Renault also have it as an option on their latest A-segment mini hatches. However, only the DS3 offers this in the B-segment.
The new Corsa
The all-new Corsa E is based on its predecessor and has basically the same proportions. However, not a single body panel is the same (or at least that's what they say), and there are also new engines on offer.Both 3-door and 5-door models can be equipped with Opel's new 1-liter turbo engine that produces either 90 or 115 horsepower. The company says the Corsa E is a grown-up car in a 4 meter package. The suspension has been tweaked for comfort and a new steering system features a city mode where assistance is maximized to make the rack light.