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The Opel Corsa is celebrating its 40th birthday. Born in the Eighties, over 14 million units have been built.
40 years of Opel Corsa: a success story in six acts

2022 is an anniversary year for Opel: the company has been making innovations affordable for everyone for 160 years, whilst at the same time one of its biggest bestsellers is celebrating its 40th birthday. The Opel Corsa revolutionised the small car segment with its premiere in 1982 and today, in its sixth generation, is as successful as ever. Last year, the current Corsa was the most popular small car in Germany and the best-selling car in the UK. The battery-electric Opel Corsa-e won the Golden Steering Wheel 2020 and now already accounts for around one-quarter of Corsa sales. To date, 40 years after its launch, well over 14 million units have rolled off the assembly lines.

The Corsa rolled off the production line for the first time in the autumn of 1982 in the newly built car plant in Zaragoza and immediately took off on its path to becoming a bestseller for Opel. At just 3.62 meters long. Chief designer Erhard Schnell had created a sporty small car with crisp, chiseled lines, sporting bold, flared wheel-arches like a rally car. It had an exceptionally low 0.36 drag coefficient. The highlight was the 100hp Corsa GSi, and diesel power was also introduced. The two-door hatch and notchback line-up was expanded in 1985 with the addition of the popular five-door model. The Corsa A became a highly acclaimed top seller with 3.1 million units built.
The Corsa A rolled off the production line for the first time in the autumn of 1982 and became an acclaimed top seller with 3.1 million units built.
Despite the success of Corsa number 1, the decision was taken to position its successor as a real ‘ladies’ darling’. Opel design legend Hideo Kodama set to work and created a much rounder, softer Corsa, with appealing ‘saucer-eye’ headlamps. The Corsa B was ten centimeters longer and much more spacious inside than its predecessor. It also introduced higher safety standards to its segment, including ABS cadence braking, side-impact protection and front airbags. Petrol engines already had fuel-injection technology and catalytic converters, while the GSi featured 16 valves and diesel power was now turbo-charged. The second Corsa was successful around the world and topped the four million sales mark.
The Corsa B topped the four million sales mark.
In the spirit of never changing a winning team, Hideo Kodama was again asked to design the shape of the Corsa C. The Corsa grew again by ten centimeter in length and had a wider stance with a longer wheelbase, which greatly increased interior space. For the first time, the body was fully galvanized. Sophisticated four-valve ECOTEC petrol and new direct-injection turbo diesel engines ensured strong power, low fuel consumption and low emission values, to meet the Euro 4 emission standards. The Corsa C also became a star performer and sold 2.5 million units.
A star performer, the Corsa C sold 2.5 million units.
From this point, the three and five-door versions go their separate ways: the three-door Corsa had unique, coupé-like styling aimed at sporty customers, just like the original Corsa A. The five-door variant became a spacious, fully-fledged family car, just less than four meters in length. With Opel’s ecoFLEX technology, the Corsa had fuel-saving Start/Stop systems and highly efficient engines. The 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX version consumed just 3.3 l/100km (combined) and emitted only 88 g/km CO2 (NEDC). The fourth generation Corsa sold over 2.9 million units.
Corsa D was the fourth generation Corsa and sold over 2.9 million units.
Dynamic, practical and stylish, the Corsa E was also a bestseller with around 1.3 million units sold. At just over the 4m length mark, it offered high comfort and top technologies. Features included a heated steering wheel, heated seats, automatic climate control, front camera with distance indicator, Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Keep Assist, a 7” colour touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The small car’s sporty top-of-the-line model was initially the 207hp Corsa OPC and later, the Corsa GSi 150hp.
Corsa E featured technology and comfort features typically found on higher segment cars. It sold over 1.3 million units.
Today. the latest generation of the small car, which celebrated its world premiere at the 2019 Frankfurt International Motor Show, was launched with petrol, diesel and battery-electric powertrains for the first time. With a length of 4.06 metres, the five-seat Corsa’s handling, practicality, safety, technology and comfort features remain exemplary. With this recipe for success, the small car with the Blitz has once again become a best-seller in countries such as Germany and Great Britain. In Germany, the Corsa-e won the “Golden Steering Wheel 2020” and as a modified Corsa-e Rally, it is demonstrating in motorsport how top performance and environmental compatibility can be combined.
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Feature descriptions and illustrations may refer to or show optional equipment not included in standard delivery. The information contained was accurate at the time of publishing. We reserve the right to make changes in design and equipment. The colors shown are approximate actual colors, only. Illustrated optional equipment is available at extra charge. Availability, technical features and equipment provided on our vehicles can vary or may only be available in certain countries or may be available at extra costs, only. For precise information on the equipment provided on our vehicles, please contact your local Opel dealer.

* The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicles are type approved from 1 September 2018. This WLTP procedure replaces the European drive cycle (NEDC), which was the test procedure used previously. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured under the WLTP are, in many cases, higher compared to those measured under the NEDC. The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: specific equipment, options and format of tires. Please contact your dealer for further information. For more information on WLTP click here https://www.wltpfacts.eu/.

** The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures mentioned are determined according to the new test procedure WLTP and the relevant values are translated back into NEDC to allow the comparability with other vehicles. Please contact your dealer for the latest information. The values do not take into account in particular use and driving conditions, equipment or options and may vary depending on the format of tires. For more information on official fuel consumption and CO2 emission values, please read the guideline "Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions of new passenger cars" freely available in all point of sales.

*** The range and electric consumption figures mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicles are type approved from 1 September 2018. They may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: speed, thermal comfort on board the vehicle, driving style, vehicle load and outside temperature. The charging time depends in particular on the power of the charger on board the vehicle, the charging cable and the type and power of the charging station used. Please contact your dealer for further information. For more information on WLTP click here https://www.wltpfacts.eu/.

**** The fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and range figures mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicles are type approved from 1 September 2018. This WLTP procedure replaces the European drive cycle (NEDC), which was the test procedure used previously. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured under the WLTP are, in many cases, higher compared to those measured under the NEDC. The fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and range figures may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: charging frequency, driving style, speed, specific equipment, options, format of tires, outside temperature and thermal comfort on board the vehicle. Please contact your dealer for further information. For more information on WLTP click here https://www.wltpfacts.eu/.

Please note: All information was accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Opel reserves the right to alter specifications at any time, which may affect the data shown. All figures quoted relate to the EU base model with standard equipment.