Pure-electric 2020 Opel Corsa uncovered

Official images of the next-generation Opel Corsa have appeared online months before it was due to be launched at the Frankfurt motor show.

The pics, leaked by French site L'Automobile magazine, offer a first look at how the Opel Corsa will present when the European best-seller is unveiled this September.

Developed under the Peugeot-Citroen (PSA) ownership, the sixth-gen Corsa has had a troubled conception as it was originally designed, developed and engineered around a GM platform before switching last minute to the PSA CMP architecture.

Developed alongside the 2019 Peugeot 208, the partnership has allowed Opel to offer a pure-electric version from launch, as the more advanced PSA underpinnings had been developed for battery power.

The Opel Corsa-e (pictured) will come equipped with a 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a single electric motor that pumps out 100kW. Between charges, the small plug-in can cover 340km.

Charge times should be identical to the recently-unveiled Peugeot e-208, taking just 30 minutes for an 80 per cent top up, but only when using a powerful 100kW fast charger.

As far as traditional petrol and diesel, Opel will offer a 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder petrol and a new 1.5-litre turbo-diesel.

The PSA CMP platform is significantly lighter and stronger than the old GM platform, shedding as much as 108kg – impressive considering the petite dimensions of the Opel.

Opel has already revealed plenty of new tech will headline its small hatch, including IntelliLux Matrix LED headlamps and, by the looks of the leaked pics, a fully digital dash, large infotainment system and a far more upmarket look and feel.

There's even quite a lot of Peugeot switchgear, hinting at its close connection to the 208.

Elsewhere, the leaked pics reveal the Corsa will grow 40mm in length and 18mm in width, which will liberate more space within the cabin and provide a decent 309-litre boot.

Set to go on sale early 2020 in Europe, the Opel Corsa could one day return to Australia if the Euro brand is relaunched here.

If it makes a reappearance, the Corsa would benefit from the void left by the Barina after it was dropped by Holden back in September 2018, after more than 30 years on sale in Australia.