WHEEL WOMAN TEST: Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo Enjoy
Durban - When my son was about seven, he eyed an Astra as it pulled into our driveway and announced: “That’s a Harry Potter car!”
It was the lightning bolt in the Opel logo which did it for him, and ever since, we’ve referred to all Opels as Harry Potters.
I’ve always been fond of the brand, being a solid German with little pretension and, generally, great performance. And so it is with a fairly new addition to the Corsa range – the five-door 1.4 Turbo Enjoy.
It has the word Turbo planted promisingly in bold letters on the back, but no other go-faster style cues.
Those are to be found on the racy models in the Corsa range – the 141kW OPC (Opel Performance Centre) and the even racier limited-edition 154kW OPC Nürburgring Edition, which announce what they’re about with 18” alloys, spoilers front and back, dual exhausts and leather Recaro sports seats.
The 1.4 Turbo, on the other hand, has a power output of 88kW between 4000 and 6000rpm, and 175Nm of torque between 1750 and 4750rpm, the designers having aimed more for improved fuel efficiency than hatch hotness.
So its claimed fuel consumption is 5.5 litres per 100km, with impressively low carbon emissions of just 129 g/km.
It’s that combination of decent performance, coupled with fuel efficiency and that premium, quality feel, with which Opel hopes to lure more buyers in this small-engined segment.
It may not have the raciest of pull-offs, but it never feels lacklustre.
And Opel’s reassuring sure-footedness added to the mix makes it a very endearing little car indeed.
Inside the classy, clean, gimmick-free design continues: a new matte-black instrument panel, simple dash design and fabric seats.
Spec includes a multi-function steering wheel, 16” alloys, an improved sound system with Bluetooth, USB port, a new info display, ABS with EBD brake assist, two airbags, remote central locking and a chrome-plated exhaust outlet.
Oh, and Opel also feels that chrome detailing around the gear lever is worth noting as an Enjoy feature.
The boot is generously proportioned for a smallish hatch, so add a tick there.
As with the other models in the range, the 1.4 Turbo comes with a generous five-year/120 000km warranty and a three-year/60 000km service plan as standard.
All in all, it’s a lovely little package, this Potter car. Especially for those who like a bit of dash without the flash.
Yours for R201 300. -Star Motoring
FACTS
Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo Enjoy
Engine: 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol
Gearbox: Five-speed manual
Power: 88kW @ 4800 - 6000rpm
Torque: 175Nm @ 1750-4800rpm
0-100km/h (measured): 10.3 seconds
Top speed (claimed): 195km/h
Consumption (measured): 5.5 litres per 100km
Price: R201 300
Warranty: Five-year/100 000km
Maintenance plan: Three-year/60 000km
ALTERNATIVES
Fiat Punto 1.4 Multiair (77kW/130Nm) - R204 990
Ford Fiesta 1.0T Trend (92kW/170Nm) - R227 230
Peugeot 208 1.6 Allure (88kW/160Nm) - R223 600
Kia Rio 1.4 Tec (79kW/135Nm) - R198 995
Renault Clio 0.9T Dyn (66kW/135Nm) - R199 900
VW Polo 1.6 Comfortline (77kW/155Nm) - R218 800