Opel announces Corsa pricing for Oz

Opel will launch itself into the Australian market with Corsa, Astra and Insignia models from September 2012. The Corsa light hatch, which was sold here badged as the Holden Barina in a previous generation until 2005, is priced from $16,490 plus on-road costs.

That makes Opel's smallest model -- which replaced the XC-series Barina in Europe in 2006 -- $500 more affordable at base level than its most direct rival, Volkswagen's Polo (1.4 Trendline five-door, from $16,990), as well as $500 pricier than the cheapest version of Holden's latest Barina, the 1.6 five-door launched here last year.

The base model, a manual-only, three-door variant, arrives with 15-inch steel wheels (which includes a full-size matching spare), cloth upholstery, power windows and mirrors, daytime running lamps and remote central locking, Bluetooth telephony, air conditioning and a seven-speaker single-CD tuner with 3.5mm auxiliary input jack.

Mid-spec Corsa Color Edition variants are the least expensive cars in the line-up to offer an automatic transmission. Manual models start at $18,490 with the automatic transmission attracting a $2000 premium. Color Edition models add 16-inch alloy wheels (with a temporary steel spare wheel), front fog lamps, cloth sports seats, cruise control, and trip computer to the package. Color Edition also receives a gloss black painted roof and wing mirror caps, and is additionally available with Opel’s optional Sports Pack, featuring lowered suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels for $750.

Topping the range, and the only Corsa available in five-door body style, is Corsa Enjoy. While the model’s mechanicals are unchanged, the high grade package sees Corsa adopt climate control air-conditioning in addition to those features listed for mid-spec Corsa Color Edition. Corsa Enjoy is also available with the optional Technology Pack, adding rear park assist, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, adaptive projector-style automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers for $1250.

All Corsa offerings for Australia are powered exclusively by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine outputting 74kW/130Nm. The powerplant is mated to a five-speed manual transmission as standard or a four-speed automatic option available across the range other than the base model. Opel quotes a combined average fuel economy figure of 5.8L/100km for manual models and 6.3L/100km for those equipped with an automatic transmission. CO2 emissions are listed at 136g/km and 147g/km respectively.

There is no sign [yet] of Europe's new 1.4-litre turbo EcoFLEX version, which produces 88kW and consumes 5.5L/100km, or the range-topping 154kW Corsa OPC hot-hatch.

All Corsa models achieve a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with electronic stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes and front, side and curtain airbags fitted as standard across the range.

Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our full launch review of the 2012 Opel Corsa.

2012 Opel Corsa pricing:
- Corsa three-door hatch 1.4-litre 5MT $16,490
- Corsa Color Edition three-door hatch 1.4-litre 5MT $18,490
- Corsa Color Edition three-door hatch 1.4-litre 4AT $20,490
- Corsa Enjoy five-door hatch 1.4-litre 5MT $18,990
- Corsa Enjoy five-door hatch 1.4-litre 4AT $20,990
- Metallic paint $595
- Sports Pack $750 (Corsa Color Edition only)
- Technology Pack $1250 (Corsa Enjoy only)