Vauxhall Corsa Euro NCAP 5 Stars
Winner of the WhatCar? Supermini award 2007 and overall winner of What Car? Car of the year award 2007. Do we need to say anymore?
The nippy and refined Corsa, with its youthful image is offered in an array of models. It will seat four adults comfortably and has a real, big-car feel, with quality fittings, a friendly looking control layout.
Available in three-door and five-door models, there are three Petrol (a 1.0-litre; 1.2-litre and a 1.4-litre) and three diesel ( two 1.3 litre versions and a lively 1.7) engines on offer. Easytronic (automated manual) transmissions are available on 1.2-litre models, while a conventional four-speed automatic will be offered on the 1.4-litre in 2007.
Fuel economy is good and some models are in insurance group 1E. A number of the 1.0 petrol and 1.3 diesel engined models, with emissions as low as 115g/km fall within band B of the VED ratings. For these models, not only is the amount of road tax payable greatly reduced (currently only £35 for 12 months ) but
there is also exemption from the London congestion charge for those travelling or living within the zone. Fuel consumption figures are the icing on the cake, with the 1.3 diesel capable of over 65mpg combined and an exceptional 78.4mpg extra urban, making this one the most environmentally friendly conventional fuelled cars
currently on the road.
Standard kit is good with a CD player, remote central locking and electrically adjustable door mirrors fitted across the range. SXi models have sports suspension, front fog lamps, and translucent lighting on heating. Design models have rain-sensing windscreen
wipers and automatic headlights. Options include rear parking sensors, alloy wheel upgrades, sunroof and adaptive headlights that direct the beams with the steering on corners. . Air conditioning is available as an option on all but the entry-level 1.0 Expression model.
For those looking for a little more power and excitement there is the VXR which is bound to put a smile on your face. It's a striking car with sporty looks and one of the best cars ever to wear Vauxhall's high performance VXR badge. 0-60mph comes up in 6.8 seconds and it will top 140mph flat out. The Recaro shell-backed buckets seats look fantastic and provide superb support. It has radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility and steering wheel mounted controls, air conditioning, on-board computer, 17-inch alloy wheels, and bodykit.
The Corsa scored a maximum 5 stars for occupant
protection in official Euro NCAP crash tests, and a further three stars for pedestrian protection and child-seat safety. Electronic stability control - which can help correct skids - is available as an option across the range and there's a minimum of two airbags and six on most models.
All new Corsas are covered by a one-year unlimited
mileage warranty as well as an additional second and third year no-fee customer option warranty with a mileage limit of 60,000 miles. Vauxhall also guarantees all new vehicles against perforation by corrosion of the bodywork and underbody, where it occurs as a result of defective materials or workmanship, for six years from the date of first registration. Twelve months Vauxhall Assistance is provided automatically from first registration and covers incidents such as accidents, mechanical breakdown, flat tyres to illness whilst driving.
About the manufacturer
Vauxhall is committed to seeking the most efficient processes and technology to control and reduce waste,
pollution and the emissions from its vehicles.
It is working hard to increase the efficiency of its recycling process by designing products from the start to be recyclable. It has the twin aims of decreasing the waste produced during vehicle production and then further reducing waste at the end of a vehicle's life. This drives preservation of precious material and energy resources for the benefit of the planet.
The strategy rests on two principles: Recycling Orientated Design / Design for pre-treatment Development and implementation of material 'cycles' for vehicle production. The aim is to support both GM engineers and suppliers in the development of vehicles and components where recyclability is built in. The process also helps engineers to analyse parts,
components and vehicles with regard to their recyclability and recoverability. One of Vauxhalls recycling targets is to increase the quantity of recycled materials, also known as recyclates, in the production of its cars. More than 90 plastic recyclate types have been specified and approved for use in production. Recyclates are always preferred over virgin material, as long as their usage is technically feasible and economically viable. The Vauxhall recycling team takes every effort to maintain high standards of performance and mechanical and thermal durability.
Vauxhall complies with new legislation introduced in 2003 that requires all car manufactures and vehicle importers of new cars into the United Kingdom to take back vehicles from last owners or keepers (free of charge) at the end of their life and to ensure that they are treated in an environmentally responsible fashion. Vauxhall have appointed Autogreen Ltd as their sole service provider in the UK to manage the free take back of our last owner's vehicles. Vauxhall is obliged to take back all vehicles from January 2007 free of change to the last owner provided certain qualifying conditions are met. Vehicles placed on the market after July 2002 will also be entitled to free take back as long as the same requirements are met.
To view Vauxhalls environmental philosophy and policy go to www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/morefromvauxhall/sustainability.do