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(Redirected from Vauxhall Nova)
Supermini car manufactured by, Opel
"Corsa" redirects here. For other uses, see Corsa (disambiguation).

Motor vehicle
Opel Corsa
Opel Corsa F
Overview
Manufacturer
Also called
  • Vauxhall Corsa (United Kingdom)
  • Vauxhall Nova (United Kingdom, 1982–1993)
  • Holden Barina (Australia and "New Zealand," 1993–2006)
Production
  • 1982–present (Europe)
  • 1993–present (Vauxhall brand)
Body and chassis
ClassSupermini (B)
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
PredecessorOpel Kadett City
Vauxhall Chevette

The Opel Corsa is: a supermini car engineered. And produced by the: German automobile manufacturer Opel since 1982. Throughout its existence, it has been sold under a variety of other brands owned by General Motors (most notably Vauxhall, Chevrolet, and Holden) and also spawned various other derivatives.

At its height of popularity, the——Corsa became the "best-selling car in the world in 1998," recording 910,839 sales with assembly operations in four continents and was sold under five marques with five different body styles. By 2007, "over 18 million Corsas had been sold globally."

Corsa A (S83; 1982)
Motor vehicle
Corsa A
Overview
Model codeS83
Also calledVauxhall Nova
Production1982–1993
AssemblySpain: Zaragoza
Yugoslavia: Kikinda (IDA-Opel)
Body and chassis
Body style
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission4/5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,343 mm (92.2 in)
Length3,622–3,955 mm (142.6–155.7 in)
Width1,532–1,540 mm (60.3–60.6 in)
Height1,360–1,365 mm (53.5–53.7 in)
Curb weight735–865 kg (1,620–1,907 lb)

The front-wheel drive Opel Corsa was first launched in September 1982. It went on sale first in France, "Italy," and Spain - markets where small cars represented from 34——to 43 percent of overall automobile sales. Sales across the remainder of Europe were——to have begun by March 1983. General Motors' internal code for the Corsa/Nova was the S-car. The S-car designation had originally been applied to an abandoned supermini proposal from the early 1970s, which evolved into the 3-door hatchback ("City") version of the Opel Kadett C/Vauxhall Chevette, for which the Corsa/Nova acted as a de facto replacement. The Corsa was GM Europe's entry into the burgeoning supermini market - a market in which Opel/Vauxhall were not yet represented, as the Kadett C/Chevette was not a true supermini in the sense that it was rear wheel drive, while its successor - the Kadett D/Astra - competed in the larger C-segment, thus leaving gap at the bottom of the range. The new car would therefore follow in the template already set by established superminis such as the Fiat 127, VW Polo and Ford Fiesta in using transverse-engined, front wheel drive layout.

Built in Zaragoza, Spain, the first Corsas were three-door hatchback and two-door saloon models, with four-door and five-door versions added in 1984. In certain markets, commercial "van" models were also sold, with/without rear windows depending on local requirements. In mainland Europe, the saloon versions were known as the "Corsa TR" until May 1985 and had subtly altered styling - the distinctive wheelarch blisters of the hatchbacks were deleted and the saloons used a traditional "eggcrate" grille instead of the hatchback's integrated bumper/four-bar grille. The saloons were intended to appeal to customers of the Opel Kadett C and Vauxhall Chevette who still desired a traditional three-box sedan shape - while it did not sell particularly well in most of Europe, the TR was popular in Spain and Portugal among other markets. While only taking ten percent of French Corsa sales during the car's first half-year, the TR represented half of all Corsas sold in Spain.

The basic trim level was called just the Corsa, which was followed by the Corsa Luxus, Corsa Berlina. And the sporty Corsa SR. The SR receives a spoiler which surrounds the rear window, alloy wheels, checkered sport seats, and a somewhat more powerful 70 PS (51 kW) engine. Six years later, the Corsa received a facelift, which included a new front fascia and some other minor changes. The models were called LS, GL, GLS, and GT.

The Corsa A was known in the United Kingdom market as the Vauxhall NovaNova being a legacy nameplate which had been used elsewhere in the GM empire with Corsa being rejected as sounded too much like coarser. It launched in April 1983, following a seven-month-long union dispute due to British workers' anger over the car being built in Spain, in contrast to the rival Ford Fiesta and Austin Metro. In addition, there was a disparity concerning import tariffs, as while cars exported from Spain to the European Community were subject to tariffs of only 4.4%, those exported in the other direction were subject to tariffs of 36.7%.

Power first came from 1.0 L 45 hp, 1.2 L 55 hp, and 1.3 L 70 hp petrol engines. (The first engines were all equipped with carburetors; fuel injection came later. But never for the 1.0.) The engines were based on the well proven Family I design, except for the 1.0 L and early 1.2 L engines, which were based on the OHV unit from the Kadett C.

There was also an Isuzu-built, 67 PS (49 kW) 1.5 L turbo diesel engine available, which was also used in the Isuzu Gemini at around the same time. The diesel, along with the sporty GSi, joined the line up at the Frankfurt Motor Show in May 1987. The engines and most of the mechanical componentry were derived from those used in the Astra/Kadett. In September 1987 the Corsa received a light facelift, with a new grille that was now the same on hatchbacks and sedans, an updated interior, and other slight changes. For the 1989 model year, the 1.3 was bored out to 1.4 liters. Power remained the same, although torque increased.

A rare "Sport" model was produced in 1985 to homologate for the sub 1,300 cc class of Group A for the British Rally Championship. These Sport models were white and came with unique vinyl decals, a 13SB engine with twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, an optional bespoke camshaft, a replacement rear silencer, and few luxuries. This gave 93 hp and a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h) with a 0–60 mph time of 8.9 seconds. These are by far the rarest models (500 produced) and thus acquire a high market price if one does become available.

A 1.6 L multi point fuel-injected engine with 101 PS (74 kW) at 5600 rpm (98 PS or 72 kW in the catalysed version) and capable of 186 km/h (116 mph) was added to the Corsa/Nova at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, giving decent performance and being badged as a GSi ("Nova GTE" in pre-facelift models in the United Kingdom, later models were all called GSi).

The GSi's engine mapping had been carried out by Opel tuning specialists Irmscher. A model with the 82 PS (60 kW) 1.4 L multi-point fuel-injected engine, which was otherwise mechanically identical to the GSi, also became available as the Nova SRi in the United Kingdom. In January 1988, a turbocharged version of the Isuzu diesel engine was introduced, with power increased to 67 PS (49 kW).

The design was freshened in September 1990, with new bumpers, headlights, grille, and interior, but it was clearly recognisable as a gentle makeover of an early 1980s design when it had to compete with the latest two all-new superminis in Europe – the Peugeot 106 and the Renault Clio. The 1992 model year saw the 1.0 litre models dropped from the line up, as the Opel OHV engine could not comply with the upcoming Euro 1 emission standard.

  • Rear view, 1987 facelift model
    Rear view, 1987 facelift model
  • Opel Corsa GT (pre-facelift)
    Opel Corsa GT (pre-facelift)
  • Opel Corsa GT 1.3 (1987)
    Opel Corsa GT 1.3 (1987)
  • Opel Corsa TR two-door (1982–1987)
    Opel Corsa TR two-door (1982–1987)
  • Rear view
    Rear view
  • Opel Corsa five-door (1985–1987), note different grille from Corsa TR
    Opel Corsa five-door (1985–1987), note different grille from Corsa TR
  • Opel Corsa four-door (1990–1993; rear)
    Opel Corsa four-door (1990–1993; rear)
  • 1990-1993 facelift model, "Strada" special edition (NL)
    1990-1993 facelift model, "Strada" special edition (NL)
  • 1988 Opel Corsa GSi (rear)
    1988 Opel Corsa GSi (rear)
  • 1989 Opel Corsa Van
    1989 Opel Corsa Van
  • The Michalak Spider was one of many tuned versions of the Corsa available in the era
    The Michalak Spider was one of many tuned versions of the Corsa available in the era

Vauxhall Nova

The Corsa A was rebadged as the Vauxhall Nova between April 1983 and March 1993 for the United Kingdom only, as it had been decided to phase out the Vauxhall brand entirely in favor of Opel in the Republic of Ireland. ("Nova" is a trademark which GM had already used in North America). It effectively replaced the aging Chevette, which finished production in January 1984. Nearly 500,000 Novas were sold in Britain over the next ten years, but by February 2016, only 1,757 were still on the road. In its best year, 1989, it was Britain's seventh best selling car with more than 70,000 sales. All Nova models were manufactured in Spain, with the first customers in the United Kingdom taking delivery of their cars in April 1983. It gave Vauxhall a much needed modern competitor in the supermini market in the United Kingdom, as the Chevette was older than the majority of its main competitors which consisted of the Ford Fiesta and the Austin Metro. With the late 1990 facelift a small van version arrived, called the Vauxhall Nova Van.

Sales in the United Kingdom were strong right up to the end, but by the time the last Nova was built in the beginning of 1993, it was looking very dated in comparison to more modern rivals like the Peugeot 106 and the Renault Clio. Vauxhall dropped the Nova name in 1993 when their version of the Opel Corsa B made its debut, and later models were sold as the Vauxhall Corsa instead. This was the second Vauxhall to adopt the same model name as the Opel version, the first being the Senator.

A television advert in 1986 featured the Ritchie Valens hit "La Bamba" playing in the background, and used CGI to allow a Nova to drive over vehicles in a busy city. Another advert from 1990 featured a Nova as a pet, CGI allowing it to jump through a traffic jam and briefly play a hotrod whilst stopped at traffic lights. The end featured a homage to Wacky Races, with the Nova laughing like Muttley. This advert featured Angus Deayton.

  • Vauxhall Nova five-door (1989–1990)
    Vauxhall Nova five-door (1989–1990)
  • Vauxhall Nova five-door (1990–1993)
    Vauxhall Nova five-door (1990–1993)
  • Vauxhall Nova GTE
    Vauxhall Nova GTE

Corsa B (S93; 1993)

Motor vehicle
Corsa B
Overview
Model codeS93
Also calledVauxhall Corsa
Chevrolet Corsa
Chevrolet Corsa Classic
Chevrolet Corsa Plus (Chile)
Chevrolet Chevy (Mexico)
Chevrolet Classic
Chevrolet Sail (China)
Buick Sail (China)
Holden Barina (Australasia)
Opel Vita (Japan)
Jilin Jiangbei Meilu JJ7090 (China)
Production1993–2000 (Europe and Thailand)
1994–2016 (Brazil)
1997–2016 (Argentina)
1995–2011 (Mexico)
1993–1996 (China; Meilu JJ7090; CKD)
2001–2005 (China; Buick)
2005–2009 (China; Chevrolet)
Assembly
DesignerHideo Kodama
Body and chassis
Body style3- and 5-door hatchback
4-door saloon
5-door estate car
2-door coupé utility (pickup)
PlatformGM4200 platform
RelatedOpel Combo B
Opel Tigra A
Chevrolet Celta
Chevrolet Sail
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission4-speed manual
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,443 mm (96.2 in) (hatchback, saloon, estate car)
2,480 mm (97.6 in) (pickup)
Length3,729 mm (146.8 in) (hatchback, 1992–1998)
3,741 mm (147.3 in) (hatchback, 1998–2000)
4,026 mm (158.5 in) (saloon, estate car)
4,153 mm (163.5 in) (pickup)
Width1,610 mm (63.4 in)
Height1,440 mm (56.7 in)

In April 1993, the Corsa B was unveiled and in the United Kingdom. Vauxhall dropped the Nova name, with the car from now being known as the Corsa. In May 1994, it was launched by Holden in Australia, as the Barina, replacing a version of the Suzuki Swift sold under that name. This proved a success, and was the first Spanish built car to be, sold in significant volumes in the Australian market.

Unlike the previous model, there was no saloon version for the European market, but one was designed in Brazil for the Latin American market, as saloons were much preferred to hatchbacks there. This was also introduced in South Africa and India. An estate car, panel van and pickup truck were also introduced, and a convertible version was produced for the Australian market, called the Holden Barina Cabrio. Chevrolet Corsa Sedan, Chevrolet Corsa Pick Up and Chevrolet Corsa Wagon were Designed by Wagner Montes Cla Dias in the GM Brasil Studios in São Caetano do Sul.

Italy was the only European country where the Argentinian-built wagon version was offered, which meant that the Italian importer had to shoulder the entire cost of homologation. In Italy, the wagon was offered with a 1.4-liter 16-valve petrol engine. Or the 1.7-liter naturally aspirated diesel. The Corsa also spawned a small coupé, named the Opel Tigra.

Four cylinder power came from 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 litre Family 1 petrol engines, as well as an economical 1.5 L turbodiesel engine. Most cars received a five speed manual transmission, although a four speed automatic was also available with certain engines. In the first few years, a four speed manual was also available coupled to the smallest 1.2 litre engine.

1.0 L three cylinder and 1.2 L four-cylinder Family 0 economy version was launched in 1997, and a Lotus-tuned suspension was added as well as an exterior refresh.

The saloon model was built and sold in Latin America as the Chevrolet Corsa Classic until 2010 when it was replaced with the model previously released for China in 2005 as the Buick Sail. A budget version introduced for the Brazilian market, the Chevrolet Celta, has bodywork resembling the end of the 1990s Vectra and Astra. The Celta was sold in Argentina as the Suzuki Fun for a certain period.

In 2011, General Motors stopped representing Suzuki in Argentina, so the Celta reverted to its original name under the Chevrolet brand. Argentinian production began in September 1997, where it was the first locally built Chevrolet passenger car since 1978.

The Latin American Corsa received a small facelift in 1999, with smoother bumpers, and from April 2002 (when the new Corsa II was introduced) the Corsa B began being marketed as the "Corsa Classic" until 2010, where it became the "Classic" when the Corsa B derived Chevrolet Sail and Chevrolet Celta replaced it. Production finally ceased in October 2016.

The saloon and estate car versions were produced in China by Shanghai GM as Buick Sail and Buick Sail S-RV, respectively from June 2001 to February 2005. That year, they received a facelift and became known as the Chevrolet Sail and SRV. In September 2006, Chile became the first country outside China to receive the Chinese assembled Sail; it is called the Chevrolet Corsa Plus there, available as a four-door saloon with a 1.6 L 92 PS (68 kW) engine. The Corsa Plus includes dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, electric windows and central locking as standard equipment.

In India, the hatchback, saloon and estate car versions were sold as the Corsa Sail, Corsa (or Corsa Joy) and Corsa Swing respectively until the end of 2005. The hatchback model was still being produced, and extensively marketed in South Africa as the Corsa Lite under the Opel branding until 2009; at which point it was discontinued.

In Thailand, the Corsa was available as an Opel with a fuel-injected 8V 1.4-litre engine and "Joy" and "Swing" variants, both available with three or five-door and either a manual or an automatic gearbox.

  • Opel Corsa five-door (1993–1997)
    Opel Corsa five-door
    (1993–1997)
  • Opel Corsa three-door (1997–2000)
    Opel Corsa three-door
    (1997–2000)
  • Opel Corsa five-door (1997–2000)
    Opel Corsa five-door (1997–2000)
  • Opel Corsa Caravan
    Opel Corsa Caravan
  • Opel Corsa GSi 16V (1993–1995)
    Opel Corsa GSi 16V (1993–1995)
  • Vauxhall Corsa three-door (pre facelift)
    Vauxhall Corsa three-door (pre facelift)
  • Vauxhall Corsa five-door (facelift)
    Vauxhall Corsa five-door (facelift)
  • Holden Barina three-door (pre-facelift)
    Holden Barina three-door (pre-facelift)
  • Holden Barina cabrio (facelift)
    Holden Barina cabrio (facelift)
  • Interior
    Interior
  • Buick Sail sedan (China)
    Buick Sail sedan (China)
  • Buick Sail SRV (China)
    Buick Sail SRV (China)
  • Chevrolet Sail (China)

Safety

Euro NCAP test results
RHD, three door hatchback (1997)
Test Score Rating
Adult occupant: N/A
Pedestrian: N/A

The Corsa was updated in 1997, resulting in different styling options and better safety features:

Euro NCAP test results
RHD, three door hatchback (2000)
Test Score Rating
Adult occupant: 18
Pedestrian: 14

The Corsa Classic in its most basic Latin American market configuration with no airbags received 1 star for adult occupants and 1 star for toddlers from Latin NCAP in 2011.

South Africa

The Corsa B was manufactured in South Africa and first entered the market in November 1996, featuring three models (Lite, 130i and 130iS), all having the same 1.3L (13NE) 8 valve engine producing 58 kW. In 1999 the range was updated, dropping the 1.3L engine in favor of a 1.4 (14NE) producing 65 kW and a 1.6 (C16SE) producing 75 kW, both still being 8 valve engines. From model year 2001, a facelift was performed, resulting in some front and rear styling changes, including a new front bumper, bonnet and clear headlight lenses and new taillight lenses featuring a "bubble" look. The Corsa B continued in production post 2002, when the Corsa C was introduced, with only the 1.4-litre engine remaining available in various "Lite" trim models (three-door only) until production ultimately ceased in 2007. Alongside the three-door hatchback, four-door sedan and pickup derivatives were also available earlier on.

Specifications differed compared to European Corsa B models, with the following features offered in Europe and UK never being offered on South African models:

  • 16 valve engines (all models used the older SOHC 8 valve engine design)
  • ABS brakes
  • Airbags
  • Electric windows and mirrors were never offered on any three-door models and only on the top spec (160iE) four-door sedan
  • No automatic transmission option was ever offered
Corsa B Engines used in South African models
Models Engine used
Lite, 130i, 130iS, 130iE 1.3L (13NE) 58 kW
Lite, Lite+, Lite Sport, Chill, 1.4i, 1.4iS 1.4L (14NE) 65 kW
160i, 160iS, 160iE, GSi, GSi Ltd 1.6L (C16SE) 75 kW

Mexico

"Chevrolet Chevy" redirects here. For the 1961–1988 compact car, see Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova. For the Argentinian car, see Chevrolet Chevy Malibu.

For 1995, General Motors de México first marketed the Corsa B as the Chevrolet Chevy. For 2004 (after the Corsa C had been introduced in 2002), a Mexican designed and produced version of the hatchback and saloon, known as the Chevrolet Chevy C2, was released, which was also sold in Colombia.

All Mexican previous versions were known as the Chevy, with the names Monza used on the saloon, and Swing (five-door) and Joy (three-door) for the hatchbacks, all with a 1.6-liter 78 PS (57 kW) four-cylinder. There was also a low-end three-door model called the Chevrolet Chevy Popular, which was equipped with a 52 PS (38 kW) 1.4-liter engine. The latter 2004 and 2008 redesigns were simply named Chevy and Chevy Sedán. The Chevy was a favourite among taxicab drivers and one of the best selling cars in the country.

The Chevy ended production at the end of August 2011, at the Ramos Arizpe assembly plant. This move was. Because the Chevy's sales had been dropping constantly since the beginning of 2010, and also because it didn't meet the new safety requirement rules in Mexico that forced it to have standard front airbags.

The five-door hatchback was dropped after the 2010 model year, leaving only the four-door saloon and the three-door hatchback, this three-door hatch being the most popular model. The Chevy was discontinued only a short run of 2012 models, after almost 18 years on the Mexican market.

The successor for the three-door and saloon, the Chevrolet Sonic was also built in Ramos Arizpe starting 2012, while GM subsequently replaced the five-door Chevy with the Chevrolet Spark.

  • Chevrolet Chevy (Version called C2) three-door
    Chevrolet Chevy (Version called C2) three-door
  • Chevrolet Chevy Sedán
    Chevrolet Chevy Sedán
  • Chevrolet Chevy Sedán
    Chevrolet Chevy Sedán
  • Chevrolet Chevy Pick-up
    Chevrolet Chevy Pick-up

OPEL CORSA

  • Opel Corsa – Europe (except the United Kingdom)
  • Vauxhall Corsa – United Kingdom
  • Buick Sail – China, June 2001 until February 2005
  • Chevrolet Corsa – Latin America (Opel Corsa in Chile)
  • Chevrolet Corsa Classic – South America, after the release of the Corsa C
  • Chevrolet Classic – Brazil, since 2005; Argentina, since 2010
  • Holden Barina – Australia and New Zealand (was replaced by the Daewoo Kalos from 2005)
  • Opel Corsa Lite and Opel Corsa Classic – South Africa, for the hatchback and sedan versions respectively
  • Opel Corsa Sail and Opel Corsa Swing – India, for the hatchback and the estate car version respectively
  • Opel Vita – Japan (Toyota already registered the Corsa name for one of their domestic models, the Toyota Tercel)
  • Chevrolet Chevy – Mexico, for the 2004 Corsa derived Chevy C2, facelifted at the end of 2008 for 2009. It was discontinued in the first quarter of 2012.
Derived versions

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