In the quest for the best electric hatchback, Opel has launched the Corsa-e clearly strived for as much resemblance to the regular models. With an optional contrast-colored roof, a quirky C-pillar and sharp light units, Opel has really done its best to make something of it, but for an EV, the Corsa-e looks very everyday.
This everydayness is a conscious choice by Opel’s parent company PSA, which follows the same strategy with Peugeot, DS and Citroën. EVs are almost as common here as petrol and diesel versions and will at most have a different nameplate and their own wheel designs. Although a fuel engine and a gearbox are of course missing, even the technical design of the Opel resembles that of a petrol Corsa. The electric motor simply resides under the hood and charging goes through the valve that normally hides the fuel cap. This setup has the disadvantage that Opel cannot optimally utilize the advantages of a compact and variably placed powertrain, as Tesla does, for example, by hiding almost all drive technology in the ground. The advantage, however, is that an inveterate petrol driver will not or hardly have to get used to the electric Corsa. The Corsa has a normal key, an everyday start button and an ‘automatic switch’ that looks modern, but can also be found in regular powered PSA products.
The interior is set up as we are used to today. The centrally placed touchscreen is placed nice and high in the middle and is assisted by a digital instrumentation. Unfortunately, that rectangular screen does not optically fit very well with the rounded cluster. Of course, the complete system is shared with the French group members. It also works much the same, including the somewhat slow response to touches and the here and there some notable menu structures. It is also remarkable that no battery percentage can be found anywhere. Fortunately, Opel has still been given the freedom to add a physical button cluster for the climate control. In the back, the Corsa is on the tight side, but the trunk has an acceptable volume with 309 liters.
Balanced
The Corsa-e has an electric motor of 100 kW / 136 hp, which has no problem with the 1,455 kg that this compact EV weighs. It is advantageous that the extra kilos are placed at the bottom of the car as much as possible. In addition, Opel has neatly adapted the chassis to the extra weight, so that the electric Corsa also feels like a balanced, comfortable car. Striking is the relaxed sitting position that you automatically adopt behind the wheel, with a lower seat that automatically involves you more in driving. Steering wheel and seat are extensively adjustable and there is a center armrest.
Consumption is not disappointing, because with the Opel we drove an average of 15.9 kWh / 100 km. Given the 50 kWh battery, we conclude that the realistic range is 314 kilometers. Once everything is empty, the Corsa charges smoothly: 100 kW on the fast charger is the maximum. A three-phase charger is available, which significantly speeds up the AC charging process. That seems like a good buy for € 1,000. This also applies to the Corsa-e itself, because of its decent range and the relatively friendly price.