Opel Corsa / Vauxhall Corsa 2006

One of Europe’s best-sellers, the Corsa , will be replaced this summer with a new model that Opel –Vauxhall in the

, hopes will be as much a success as the Astra.

Dutch magazine Autoweek, give us a pretty accurate view of the new Corsa that holds a strong resemblance to the successful Astra. As with the Astra, the rear bodywork of both versions will vary significantly, in a bid to make them appeal to different types of customer. The five-door car is expected to have a longer wheelbase, which will also go on to underpin the next-generation Meriva, scheduled to arrive in 2008. Spin-offs from the three-door platform will include the eventual replacement for the coupe-cabrio Tigra TwinTop, although this is not expected to appear until 2010.

The new Corsa is set to debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show, and will hit the European market in Autumn. It will share many of its mechanical components with the new Fiat Grande Punto, which is built on the same platform. Other shared parts are likely to include the suspension systems, steering and braking components, as well as the much lauded 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine, which already appears in the current generations of both cars.

Opel’s petrol units will differ from Fiat's, though, and will start with an updated version of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine fitted to today's entry-level Corsas. Other options will include the 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre Twinport units, along with an updated version of the 1.7 CDTI diesel from the Astra.

Of course, the Corsa range will include an OPC version with Opel’s latest 1.6 Turbo engine that pumps out 180 hp –first seen on the Meriva OPC. All motors will be compliant with Euro IV emissions rules.

Opel also hopes to make the Corsa one of the safest superminis in its class, with airbags all-round, electronic brakeforce distribution and other driver aids. These improvements will come at a cost, however, as the newcomer is expected to be slightly more expensive than the model it replaces.

Press Release: One of the most eagerly anticipated automobile premieres of 2006 takes place on July 18 in one of Europe’s most exciting cities: London. Opel has today announced that the all-new Corsa will make its world debut at the British International Motor Show (July 18 – 30). The fourth generation of the popular Opel model comes with a compelling design and an array of innovative technology features. Just as they successfully realized with the Astra, designers have given each three and five-door Corsa variant a unique look. Both versions will be on show in London. Sales of the new Corsa start in the fall of this year.