About twenty or so years ago the Opel brand was handled in Malaysia by Europel and their headquarters was located along Jalan Ampang right opposite the previous British Embassy building. They did quite well selling their Fontera 4×4 SUV which was actually a rebadged Isuzu Wizard which was never sold here in Malaysia and their Opel Zafira 7 seat compact MPV which is still running in some remote parts of Malaysia. There was also the sexy looking Vectra sedan which can be found by the dozens rusting under village houses in the duty free Island of Langkawi and the very rare Calibra which is also rotting in Langkawi. Sadly, the Opel brand retired after a few years and owners were left to get their own spares and after sales sorted.
Now, 2020 might be the year for them to return and prove their worth in ASEAN using Malaysia as its base and possibly vehicle assembly for the region. Some one better talk to them before they decide to do their regional assembly in Indonesia or Thailand.
The introduction of this compact handsome car would probably be the best option as OPEL is already doing business in Singapore and as we have seen this hot hatch in Europe and it is a really good looking product and the Insignia sedan and Grandland X SUV have handsome looks. There is also a battery electric version BEV) which is the Corsa e. But who will undertake the task of re-opening Opel in Malaysia?
PRESS RELEASE: The sixth-generation Opel Corsa’s all-new engine portfolio aims to offer customers an ideal balance between efficiency and an engaging drive. Compared with the current power units, the new engines return significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions while retaining similar power outputs.
The improvements begin straight away with the base 55kW (75hp) 1.2 – NEDC combined fuel consumption is 4.1 l/100km. This is a substantial improvement in comparison to the current 1.2 model with 51kW/70hp and its NEDC combined consumption of 5.9-5.6 l/100km and 134-128g/km CO2.
Higher performance is supplied by the award-winning, three-cylinder, direct-injection turbocharged engine family (Engine of the Year 2015-2018), also with 1.2-litres displacement. The all-aluminium engines produce 74kW (100hp) or 96kW (130hp). With the 74kW (100hp) engine, the new Opel Corsa needs 4.4-4.2 l/100km NEDC combined. The 1.4-litre predecessor, also with 74kW (100hp) consumed 5.8-5.4 l/100km combined according to NEDC (WLTP: 6.7-6.5 l/100km, 151-146g/km CO2). Even with the most powerful 96kW (130hp) version, which has no equivalent in the current Corsa range, the preliminary fuel consumption and emissions figures remain moderate.
Wide torque plateau for petrol engines: Top driveability
High efficiency and lively performance are characteristic of the new petrol engines. Internal friction and friction losses have been reduced to a minimum. The turbocharger also reacts immediately, with strong torque development already at low rpm. Maximum torque of the 74kW (100hp) 1.2 is 205Nm; the top 96kW (130hp) unit even develops 230Nm. With the majority of maximum torque available in a wide band, both engines are notable for their high driveability. At least 95 per cent of maximum torque is developed between 1,500 and 3,500rpm – in combination with the low vehicle weight, excellent aerodynamics and the optimised gear ratios, this enables very good driveability.
The improvement in efficiency through the engine range is reflected in the driving performance. While the new Corsa with 96kW (130hp) reaches a maximum speed of 208 km/h, its predecessor needed 15 per cent more power (110kW / 150hp) to get to 207km/h. With zero to 100km/h acceleration in 8.7 seconds, the new model is 0.2s quicker than its predecessor. Equally impressive is the 1.2 turbo with 74kW (100hp). With a top speed of 188km/h, it is 3.0km/h faster than the similarly powered predecessor. Depending on the gearbox, it also accelerates from zero to 100km/h in around 10.0 seconds – 1.0s quicker (all figures preliminary).
In addition to the engines, the powertrain improvements also include the transmissions.
The 55kW (75hp) entry-level engine is fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard.
With the 74kW (100hp) unit, customers can choose from a six-speed manual or a smooth eight-speed automatic. Adaptive shift programmes and Quickshift-technology represent the state-of-the-art in the Opel Corsa’s market segment. Drivers can shift gears themselves via the paddles at the steering wheel.
The top-of-the-line, 96kW (130hp) 1.2 Direct Injection Turbo is always combined with the eight-speed automatic transmission.
High-tech and high efficiency
The three petrol engines are joined by a lively 1.5-litre diesel with 75kW (102hp) and maximum torque of 250Nm.
For optimum exhaust after-treatment, the emissions reduction system – consisting of a passive oxidation catalyst/NOx adsorber, AdBlue injector, SCR catalyst and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) – is grouped together as a compact single unit, as near as possible to the engine. The NOx adsorber acts as a cold start catalyst, reducing NOx emissions at temperatures below the SCR light-off.
Fans of electric-mobility, of course, can order the Corsa-e. Thanks to the common modular platform (CMP), various powertrains can be offered on one platform.
Lean: lightest variant weighs less than 1,000kg
In addition to the new Opel Corsa’s lively engines, the lightweight design also contributes to the top driving dynamics. The lightest version of the next generation model even undercuts the magical 1,000-kilogramme mark. Excluding driver, the five-door weighs only 980kg. Compared with its predecessor, this model variant is a useful 108kg lighter. This is a weight-saving of around 10 per cent, although the new model has a similar length of 4.06 metres. The body-in-white is around 40kg lighter, the very compact three-cylinder engines weigh around 15kg less than the four-cylinder units of the previous generation. The aluminium bonnet also saves 2.4kg in comparison to the previous model’s smaller bonnet made of steel. The seats also have been put on a diet. The optimized seat structure saves another 10kg.
The new Opel Corsa conveys dynamics through its sporty design – especially in combination with the two-tone paintwork. The roof line is coupé-like, 48mm lower than the predecessor’s, without detriment to headroom for the driver and front passenger. The driver sits 28mm lower. Handling and driving dynamics benefit from the lower centre of gravity. The handling is responsive and dynamic, for more fun behind the steering wheel.
Democratisation of technology: advanced assistance systems and matrix light
In the new Opel Corsa, Opel offers technologies and assistance systems that customers otherwise only know from higher vehicle classes. A real highlight is the adaptive glare-free IntelliLux LED® matrix light, which Opel is making widely available for the first time in the small car segment. The eight LED elements are controlled by a high-resolution front camera of the latest generation and automatically and continuously adapt the light beam to the respective traffic situation and surroundings.
State-of-the-art assistance systems such as traffic sign recognition or the radar-based automatic cruise control, as well as the sensor-controlled flank protection, offer a noticeable safety bonus. The latter warns if the sides of the car risk making contact with obstacles (e.g. posts, walls) during maneuvers at less than 10km/h. There are also systems such as side blind-spot assist and various parking aids, from park pilot to 180-degree panorama rear view camera. Lane keep assist is also making its Corsa-debut. If the system detects an unintended lane-change it alerts the driver with a flashing signal and a nudge of corrective steering.
Opel Corsa drivers and passengers are well connected and entertained with the new range of infotainment systems comprising Multimedia Radio, Multimedia Navi with 7.0-inch colour touchscreen and the top-of-the-line Multimedia Navi Pro with 10.0-inch colour touch screen. In addition, the Corsa also offers the new telematics service “Opel Connect” as option. Live navigation with real-time traffic information and current fuel prices, plus a direct link to breakdown assistance and emergency calls make journeys even more relaxing for drivers and passengers.
