You know the European car industry is serious about
the switch to electrification when even a mainstream model like the Opel /
Vauxhall Corsa comes in an all-electric version right from launch. The 2020 Corsa-e electric
supermini and the regular sixth-generation Corsa are without a doubt the
highlights of Opel’s stand at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Sharing the platform and electric drivetrain with
the Peugeot e-208, the Opel / Vauxhall Corsa-e packs a 50-kWh battery pack that
feeds a 100 kW (136 PS) electric motor driving the front wheels. The
first-ever mass-produced electric Corsa offers a range of up to 330 km as per WLTP as well as multiple charging options.
The quickest way is via a 100 kW fast charging: it
takes less than 30 minutes to charge the battery to 80 percent capacity using a
100 kW DC charging station. Prices for the Corsa-e in Germany start from
€29,900 while UK customers can have it from £ 26,490, including the Government
£ 3,500 Plug-in Car Grant.
The rest of the Corsa lineup remains more
conservative, offering four internal combustion engines. There are three
1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline units with 75 PS, 100 PS and
130 PS, and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel with
102 PS.
Transmission choices include five- and six-speed
manual gearboxes for the base gasoline engines and the diesel, as well as an
eight-speed auto for the top 130 PS 1.2-liter turbo petrol.
For the moment, the Corsa-e cannot compete with the
regular Corsa when it comes to pricing as the base 75 PS 1.2-liter
model starts at € 13,990 in Germany and £ 15,550 in the UK — roughly half the
price of the all-electric version.
