The Opel Corsa-e is an electric car that "most people" can buy. It looks good, has a usable range and charging speed, - and doesn't cost much more than a used e-Golf.
For several years, electric car customers in Germany have been able to take advantage of a government environmental bonus. A week before Christmas, the scheme was removed with just 3 days' notice. This led to an immediate decline in sales of "affordable" electric cars such as the Fiat 500e and Opel Corsa e.
Environmental bonus that disappeared
Since 2016, German electric car customers have been able to benefit from government support for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. The money was transferred to the customers as a bonus after the cars had been paid for and delivered. Several dealers calculated the bonus when they put a price tag on the cars. The rates for 2023 were €4.500 in environmental bonus for cars under €40.000 and €3.000 for cars between €40.000 to €60.000. Cars over €60.000 gave no payouts.
BAFA (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle), which administered the support scheme, was forced to terminate the support scheme at short notice because there were no funds to continue - and a new state budget did not allow for the continuation of the scheme. One can therefore with good reason direct criticism at the politicians (SPD) - but what is really worthy of criticism in this case is the way in which BAFA discontinued the scheme. The liquidation took effect just 3 days after it was announced. Several tens of thousands of car customers who had ordered electric cars were affected.
The car manufacturers footed the bill
The liquidation was a slap in the face for those who had signed a contract but had not yet received their cars. No one imagined that the environmental bonus would disappear overnight. The consequences could have been serious had it not been for several car manufacturers choosing to cover the bonus for affected customers. Stellantis, Hyundai, KIA and Dacia are among the manufacturers that prevented customers who were waiting for cars from ending up in the dark.
Affects sales of small electric cars
In Germany, electric cars are far more expensive than cars that run on petrol or diesel. For example, you can buy Opel Corsa with petrol engine from €20, while prices for similarly equipped electric cars start at €300 without environmental bonus. For the same price you can get a well-equipped petrol engine Opel Grandland, which gives significantly more car for the money. In contrast to Norway, German car dealers still carry a full range of petrol and diesel-powered cars.
2024 Opel Corsa-e GS
Opel Corsa – an example
The Opel Corsa was the best-selling small car in Germany in 2023 with almost 54 cars, of which one in four ran on electricity, according to Stellantis. The Corsa-e then also ended up in 000th place among all electric cars sold.
In 2023, you could buy an Opel Corsa-e for just over €30 when the full "Umweltbonus" was deducted. in 000, the Corsa-e has, among other things, a new front - and in the GS version - an increase in power from 2024hp to 136hp, an increase in battery capacity from 156 kWh to 50 kWh and a range of up to 51 km. The price in Norway starts at NOK 405. If we add equipment such as an 344kW on-board charger, a technology package with adaptive LED lighting, navigation, a panoramic glass roof and additional paint, the price ends up at NOK 900 without winter tyres. In Germany, the same car costs NOK 11 (!).
It is worth remembering that if full value added tax were introduced on electric cars here at home, a well-equipped Opel Corsa-e would cost half a million kroner delivered with winter tyres.
It is thought-provoking that electric cars need government support in order for most people to be able to afford to buy them.
Opel Corsa 1,2 (petrol)
Facts
Figures based on registration statistics for new cars in Germany
Share of electric cars throughout 2023: 18,4%
Share of electric cars January 2024: 10,52%
Share of electric cars February 2024: 12,64%
Sales figures for two of the models which in 2023 received the full effect of the environmental bonus.
Month
Opel Corsa-e
Fiat 500-e
August 2023
3079
3193
September 2023
2175
1765
October 2023
899
1760
November 2023
1737
1730
December 2023 *)
2287
3001
January 2023
286
735
February
241
149
*) German environmental bonus for zero-emission vehicles ended on 17.12.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX
16.03.2023 Several newspapers report that the Fiat factory has now cut down to one shift at the Mirafiori factory due to failing sales of the Fiat 500e. According to Stellantis, this is due to the loss of support schemes for electric cars.
The Opel Corsa-e is an electric car that "most people" can buy. It looks good, has a usable range and charging speed, - and doesn't cost much more than a used e-Golf.
Why Corsa-e?
It was my wife who brought the Corsa-e to the track. The night before I had searched for cars on the car sharing portal Getaround.no and during the night a teaser had arrived on the company email about completing the order for the Corsa-e. That prompted her to suggest renting a Corsa electric car for the Tuesday we were going on a trip. Like most ladies, she wants a nimble car that is easy to maneuver in the parking garages, but is big enough for a married couple to take trips around the countryside. Earlier this spring we had a Corsa petrol car on Spanish plates for a few weeks. In short, I can say that it was "all right for its price range". Will the electric car version of the same car be just as good with batteries and on Norwegian roads?
Usable electric car
There aren't that many usable electric cars to choose from in the Corsa's price range. For us means usable a car with the range to visit friends in Tønsberg and return to Oslo without recharging en route. Furthermore, it must be able to offer all-right comfort and space - be easy to drive and have safe driving characteristics. The competitors are the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, Opel Mokka, Hyundai Kona and Kia e-Soul. Looking at the models through my wife's female eyes, Zoe and Corsa end up as clear favourites. For my part, I imagine how an everyday life behind the wheel of the Corsa-e will fade away.
Good experiences with the petrol version
I already partially know the answer. The Corsa does not appear to be a dream car in my eyes. But Opel's new models look better than in a long time and you get a car that doesn't cost a fortune, that will hold its value well and will be cheap to both own and drive due to the tax policy. The new Opel Corsa PureTech worked well when we stayed in our shepherd's hut in the South of France. There, the car fleet is older and consists of smaller cars than here. The best sellers are currently the Peugeot 208, Citroen C2 and Renault Clio. Here at home, the models in the B segment are almost disappearing from the sales lists due to the fact that they cannot be supplied as electric cars.
Corsa-e looks good in profile
Built over the same last
The Corsa-e is built in the same way as a petrol-powered Corsa. There are no visible differences between the two variants. Both have the front engine and front-wheel drive. The batteries are in two banks - one under each row of seats. In addition, electronics are placed under the luggage compartment. I didn't notice it at first glance, but the electric car has less luggage space than the petrol car. Inside, everything seems pretty much the same. The Corsa-e has a gear lever with transmission forwards and backwards "by wire", "Park" on its own button and an electromechanical handbrake between the seats.
Plus for front wheel drive
The Corsa-e has the same good driving characteristics as the petrol version. On the road it feels like a car in the class above. I noticed that it was a little heavier - in a positive way. The electric car then also weighs 367 kg more than the petrol car. I noted the same precise steering and fine road holding as the petrol car. It is also worth highlighting the front wheel drive when winter comes. Unlike me, my wife does not like the car "cha-cha-cha dancing" on snowy roads.
The trip
We set out on a trip over Sollihøgda towards Sundvollen. It was time for lunch at Vik Skysstasjon. As usual good food and good service. It was pike cakes for me and Caesar salad for the wife. One of the tables with a view of the Steinsfjorden is our "main table". We were on our way to a place on the other side, but took the long way across the north side of the fjord. We had dessert at Åsa Landhandleri, where they sell soft ice cream. The space appears as a period piece from 1980. A perfect background for a photoshoot of cars from the same era.
A stop at Åsa Landhandleri in Ringerike
Nostalgic details
Range and consumption
Opel shares batteries and drivetrains with other models on the same platform from Peugeot and Citroen and others. I have previously driven this drivetrain in the Toyota ProAce Electric and then concluded that the 50 Kwh battery pack gave too little range for such a large car. For the Corsa-e, on the other hand, the range is much better. "Our" car has a range of 337 km measured according to WLTP combined. On cars manufactured from December 2021, the range has been increased to 359 km by, among other things, optimizing the heat pump, changing the gear ratio and the option to choose tires with less rolling resistance. Real range can vary greatly depending on the road, speed and temperature. My own experiences with electric and hybrid cars in daily operation is that real range often ends up at 4/5ths of the WLTP range. For upgraded Corsa-e, this will mean 287 km. At Opel's websites is there a useful calculator to calculate real range. Here are some examples:
80 km/t ved 20 grader og aircon
311 km
110 km/t ved 20 grader og aircon
217 km
80 km/t ved 0 grader og varme
262 km
110 km/t ved 0 grader og varme
188 km
80 km/t ved -10 grader og varme
225 km
110 km/t ved -10 grader og varme
169 km
Estimated range based on our driving over a distance of 115,6 km would give between 335 – 345 km. It is based on ideal conditions - calm road driving in temperatures between 16-20 degrees with an interior temperature of 21 degrees and driving mode "Normal". You can choose "Eco" for optimal range. It makes the car slow and adjusts the interior climate. The Corsa-e has a heat pump so moderate use of cooling and heating has little effect on the range according to Opel's range calculator. "Eco" should only be selected in the event of an acute power crisis.
According to the trip computer, the average consumption of "our" car was 16,4 Kwt/100km measured since the car was new.
At the memorial and the ferry to Utøya
charging
There is a lot of talk about fast chargers. The more Kw, the better. But my experience is that I rarely experience getting the stated number of Kw even if the car can receive it. The higher the Kw, the greater the deviation. Corsa-e can receive a decent 100Kw. Then you can charge from 0-80% in 30 minutes. When I fast-charged the Corsa at a station with "only" 50Kw, it quickly charged from 59% up to 90%. Converted, the time would correspond to about 60 minutes to charge from 0-80%.
When I charged from the 11Kw wall box, the car did not take more than about 3,6kw. I tried in two cases and both gave the same result. I guess the car's Type2 cable didn't allow 32A. But there may also be other reasons in my charging network. Wall chargers are most often used between trips. Then time plays less of a role. The Corsa-e's on-board charger can take 7,4Kw - but an 11Kw on-board charger can be supplied as an optional extra. With 11 Kw, the car should be fully charged in about 5,5 hours.
Place
With a length of just over 4 metres, the car is ideal for street parking and maneuvering in narrow car parks. But the Corsa does not seem designed to provide optimal interior space within the external dimensions. Perhaps that is the price you have to pay for an appealing exterior. A car with optimal use of space would be more "boxy" and perhaps less beautiful. Earlier this year, when I drove two burly fellows to the railway station, he who sat in the front seat had to sit with his knees all the way up in the dash so that he who sat in the back would have room. Suitcases require one of the rear seats to be folded down. Cars in the B class are therefore not suitable for families who depend on using more than 3 seats. Legroom in the back seat is on par with other cars in the same class. With two couples in the car, it works best if women and men sit diagonally. Two men in the same longitudinal direction require cooperation. But tall people will be able to get comfortable behind the wheel. I am 1,88 meters tall and have shoe size 46 and it fit perfectly.
Security
EuroNCAP tested the 2019 Opel Corsa – 1,2 Edition. There, the new Corsa only got 4 out of 5 stars! The problem for Opel is that what is standard safety equipment varies between different countries. The department that tested the new Corsa was located in a country where the middle position in the back seat lacked a headrest in the standard equipment. It is further stated in the report that the test car's side airbags only provided protection for the chest section and not the pelvis. Modern side airbags are usually two-piece – one for the chest and one for the pelvis. Opel's international brochure material unfortunately bears the stamp of being a rushed project. Neither the brochures nor the websites explain what kind of safety equipment is available in the Corsa. Too bad, because the smaller a car model is, the more important built-in safety modules are.
Opel should understand that in 2022 today's small car customers are more concerned with safety equipment than the color of the seat cover.
By looking up the German instruction manual, I have found text that explains that the side airbags in the Corsa are two-piece to protect both the chest and the pelvis. Newly developed cars today also have a central airbag which prevents people in the same row of seats from "clashing" their heads into each other in side collisions. This was not common equipment at the time when the current Corsa model was developed, and is therefore not installed.
The report from EuroNCAP however, shows that both driver and passenger escaped safely in all types of collisions. The only critical point is the high risk of whiplash injuries in both the front and rear seats.
the instruments do not differ significantly from the petrol variant
Economy
The Opel Corsa-e is one of the most affordable models of "usable" electric cars on the market, that is, it meets minimum requirements with regard to range and space. Purchase price and operating costs are one of the model's most important advantages and will play a more decisive role for "most people" now that we are entering difficult times. At the moment there are favorable ones promotional prices for cars with equipment packages.
Used imports
At the moment, it may seem that the used market is dominated by used cars imported from abroad. When comparing prices on used cars, you have to take into account that used imported cars often lack winter tyres, which the dealer is unlikely to inform you about before you are ready to sign a contract. Also remember that the Corsa-e produced from December 2021 has an extended range of approx. 359 km. I mention it because a dealer chain advertises used import cars on Finn.no as 2022 models without stating when they are first registered.
Popular B-class cars have generally had good trade-in prices. I think the electric cars in this class will also benefit from that. One of the questions one can ask is how Opel's popularity will be in a few years. The brand is now part of the giant group Stellantis, which is going to use the ax on unprofitable projects. according to elbilstatistikk.no the Corsa-e is in 40th place among sold electric cars in Norway with 1995 cars so far this year. In Germany, the Corsa-e is in 6th place among sold electric cars in the first half of the year with 6531 cars – actually one place ahead of the VW ID.3. It is also worth noting that this year's most popular electric car in Germany is the Fiat 500-e. The future for small electric cars looks bright for now.
Smiley faces and surfing
: )
Economical in purchasing and operation
Safe driving characteristics with front-wheel drive
Good range and charging speed
🙁
Not a particularly good use of space
The luggage compartment in the Corsa-e is 42 liters smaller than in the petrol version
Facts Opel Corsa-e
Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 406 x 177 x 144 cm
Wheelbase: 254 cm
Net weight: 1457 kg (without driver)
Payload: 388 kg
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: not possible
– without brakes: not possible
Roof load: not possible
Drivetrain
Engine: Electric located at the front
Power: 136 HP
Torque: 260 Nm > 0 revolutions
Gearbox: 1-speed automatic
Front wheel drive
Performances
Top speed: 150 km/h
0-100: 8,1 seconds
Battery pack
Manufacturer: CATL
Type: Li-ion
Location: Two-part under the bench seats
Temperature control: Liquid-based
Total capacity: 50 Kwh
Available capacity: 46,3 Kwh
Range and consumption
WLTP before Dec.2021: 337 km (combined)
WLTP from Dec. 2021: 359 km (combined)
Estimated range of our driving: 335 – 345 km (dry road, 16-20 degrees, aircon, quiet country road)
Stated consumption WLTP: 16,9 kwh/100 km (brochure Nov. 2022)
Measured consumption: 16,4 kwh/100 km (measured since new)
charging
Contacts: Type2 and CSS
Charging time Type2 32A, 11Kw (optional), 0-100%: 5,5-8 hours
Charging time CSS, 100Kw, 0-80%: 30 min.
Our charging via wall box and Type2 20A: 20 km per hour
Our charging 50Kw 0-80%: 62,4 min (calculated)
Prices
Price: 282.900 (Edition)
Varnish supplement: 4.000
11kw onboard charger: 5.000 (recommended)
Rear alarm and camera: 3.500 (recommended)
Electric rear windows and central armrests: 3.500
LED light package: 5.900 (recommended)
Adaptive cruise control mm: 5.900
About the car
Place of manufacture: Zaragoza, Spain
Colour: Crystal Silver/Black
Equipment level: Unknown
Leased by Getaround
Owner: Private
Model: 2022
Mileage: 9140
Km driven: 132
Source: opel.no, opel.de
Connected to wall charger
See
Opel Corsa 1,2 T PureTech
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Opel Mokka-e has received Opel's new front inspired by Manta (source: Opel)
When we were boys, we sat on the milk ramp and wrote down the license plates of passing cars. The year was 1971. I wrote "LH 10000". We noted only numbers, never car brands. Nevertheless, I remember well that it was a yellow Opel Manta – a brand new Opel! Did you know that the Opel Manta is named after the fish species devil skate - a huge stingray that swims gracefully around the great oceans with wings and tail?
Opel's new design language consists of imaginary compass-like lines in the front and a new grill that can "talk". It's called the Opel Vizor. The inspiration for it all comes from the Opel Manta A. Good news for those of us who liked the Manta!
Opel Manta A (source: FavCars.com)
Opel as we remember them
In 1971, the Manta's beautiful appearance made a big impression on young car enthusiasts. By today's standards, the Manta were simple, rear-wheel drive cars based on the Opel Ascona A. The car, badged "LH 1000", was an Opel Manta DeLuxe with a 1,6-litre engine producing 68 HP. The S version produced 80 HP. The most powerful engine in 1971 was the 1,9 S 90 HP. The curb weight was 950 kg without driver. Manta represents Opel as we remember them: Beautiful, simple and smooth to drive.
The downfall
As you know, a lot has happened to Opel since the Manta models were in production. One could probably say that "those of us who liked the Manta" have hardly appreciated Opel's development in recent years. There were several reasons for Opel's decline. One of the Opel plant's trade unions complained that the management understood too late the importance of offering new diesel engines on a wide range of models. It could have saved many jobs. One could certainly say the same about Opel's inaction to introduce new hybrid and electric powertrains. A final negative factor was the actual design of the models. Opel's designers did not succeed in capturing the interest of buyers. The cars lacked identity. They could have benefited from a touch of the "Manta factor".
Access to new technology from PSA
The PSA group now owns the car brands Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Opel. Opel has thus gained access to healthy technology. This applies, among other things, to the 136 HP electric motor and the battery packs of 50 and 75 kwh respectively. After the PSA takeover, new Opel models have been developed that share a platform and technology with other models in the PSA group. The most interesting models for Norway are the new Corsa-e and Mokka-e. It's not just because they are electric cars, but also because they are actually some of the most beautiful models Opel has made since the downturn began in the early 2000s.
Opel Compass
The concept of Opel Compass is that the front is shaped like an imaginary compass around the centered Opel logo. On both sides - east and west - we find the new driving lights that visually shape the outer wings which - with a little imagination - resemble the wings of a giant skate - a "Manta". North and south must also be demarcated in the design.
Opel vizor
The Opel Vizor is the new grill, which is not really a grill in the traditional sense, - but an area to collect sensors and electronics for assistance systems. The front must also contain pixel-based diodes that can express messages to the owner and the outside world. For now, this feature is on the drawing board, in the form of a new style study based on the Opel Manta A – called Opel Manta GSe ElectroMOD. It is, of course, about an electric car that could have been based on the PSA group's 50 kwh battery.
Opel Compass and Vizor (source: Opel) Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD. The Opel logo is digital and can change to a message. (source: Opel)
Manta GSe EletroMOD
The new styling study warms an old car enthusiast's heart, although we are unlikely to see any electrified Manta A put into series production. Maybe Opel rebuilds an old Manta to create a show? Because if not knowing is made, the Vizor will go into production and become a hallmark of future Opels. It has already been implemented on the new Mokka/Mokka-e and facelifted Crossland, and will hopefully appear on the all-new Astra which will be launched later this year.
The Vizor system will likely be upgradeable. In the new Manta demo, Vizor displays text messages such as "I am on a zero e mission" and "My German *heart symbol* is all electric". Here it is possible to imagine a new communication interface between car drivers.
Opel Crossland facelift edition with Opel Vizor in its new front section (source: Opel)
Will Opel become an electric car brand?
It has been speculated whether the PSA group would launch Opel as a purely electric car brand. German authorities with Angela Merkel at the top has expressed that they want to stimulate the production and purchase of electric cars. Large car groups like to test new technology in one brand before it is rolled out widely. Perhaps Opel can become the PSA group's "spearhead" to test out new assistant systems and technology for zero-emission vehicles?
Opel in Norway
The new electric cars can make Opel more interesting for Norwegian buyers. Although all the cars in the PSA group share the same platform, drivetrain, instruments and controls, - they are produced at different factories and - with the exception of the van series - have their own visual design - not just re-badged models. There are basically only two things that can make customers prefer Opel over equivalent Peugeot and Citroen models: Appearance and dealer. The problem in Norway is that old worthy Opel dealers from Opel's heyday are gone. Today, Opel is mainly sold through two chains, Bertel O Steen and Mobile. Bertel O Steen sells, among other things, Peugeot and Citroen in addition to Opel. Mobile sells several brands, including Citroen in addition to Opel. Even if you place the cars in separate departments, Opel will be the new addition compared to established brands in the business. Thus, Opel is unlikely to get any dealer advantage anywhere. The Volkswagen Group would – by comparison – never sell Skoda and Seat from the same premises.
Opel Corsa-e
Today's Opel models
Corsa-e manufactured in Zaragoza, Spain. The model shares the platform, drivetrain, instruments and operating levers with the Peugeot e-208. The Corsa has a tasteful design, but does not carry Opel's new design language. It will probably come with the next facelift – perhaps an accelerated facelift?
Mocha-e produced at the Poissy factory in France. The model shares a platform, drivetrain etc. with the Peugeot e-2008. The Mokka-e is a great representative of tomorrow's Opels, with clear features from the GT X concept car.
It's Vivaro produced at the Luton plant in the UK. It is a "re-badged" version of Toyota Proace Electric, Peugeot e-Expert and Citroen ë-Jumpy. Recommended.
Astra coming as a new model later this year as a 2022 model and will carry Opel's new design language. It will be interesting in Norway because of its hybrid drive. Today, the Astra is imported to Norway from the Vauxhall factory in Ellesmere, Great Britain, but the new Astra will also be produced in Rüsselheim.
Badge produced in Rüsselheim. Opel's flagships are not bad cars, but appear to have no identity. Despite persistent marketing, Opel has not succeeded in capturing the interest of buyers either here at home or in Europe. The Insignia represents a design rut Opel needs to get out of as soon as possible. Therefore not recommended as a new car purchase.
cross country has come in a facelifted version with Opel's new front. It is produced in Zaragoza, Spain, along with Citroen C3 Aircross. They share "everything" under the shell. We have tested the C3 Aircross. It is a well-built, smooth-driving compact family car with plenty of space. Both models appear more practical than beautiful.
Grandland X shares platform and drivetrain with Peugeot 3008. The model is produced in both Eisenach, Germany and Poissy, France. The cars to Norway come from France. The Grandland X does not carry Opel's new front and design language. We expect the Grandland X to get a facelift similar to the Crossland in the near future.
2018 Opel GT X Experimental (source: Opel)
A small Opel cavalcade
It's time for Opel to court "those of us who liked the Manta". It looks promising. It is rumored that Opel will launch a new Monza-e. "We who liked Manta" also liked Monza. We hope to see it in Opel's new design language. In the meantime, you get a small car cavalcade of what the cars looked like in Opel's heyday.
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See
PSA buys OpelWhat is happening with Opel?Opel GT[Opel MokkaToyota Proace Electric 50 kwh