New Vauxhall Corsa Electric goes further per charge, gets smarter interior
Hybrid Corsas join the line-up, too
Vauxhall has revealed its new Corsa, with improved battery technology for the electric model, a series of styling revisions and a reworked interior. The updated supermini will arrive in the UK later this year, with order books opening in the summer.
The new Corsa Electric features the latest in the Stellantis (Vauxhall parent’s company) EV technology. A new 51kWh battery and an uprated electric motor give the new Corsa 154bhp and a range of 255 miles between charges — a 15 per cent improvement over the previous version.
The existing 134bhp electric motor will still be available alongside, with an official WLTP range of up to 222 miles per charge.
Hybrid power joining petrol and electric models
While Vauxhall has pledged to only sell pure-electric vehicles from 2028 onwards, petrol variants of the new Corsa will be available, as will a new mild-hybrid variant using 48-volt technology.
As standard all Corsa Electric models will have 11kW AC charging capability, allowing a full charge from empty to 100 per cent in five hours and fifteen minutes — considerably less than the estimated seven and a half hours using a standard 7kW home wall box.
The Corsa Electric can also support 100kW rapid DC charging, meaning a charge from 10 to 80 per cent capacity can take just half an hour.
Astra’s Vizor-look face included
The new Corsa is the latest to feature Vauxhall’s “Vizor” front end, first seen on the Mokka crossover and larger Astra hatchback. The traditional front grille has been replaced by a smooth dark panel enveloping the car’s front end, bringing its looks more in line with the rest of the Vauxhall range.
A set of upgraded LED Pixel Matrix headlights automatically reduce the chance of dazzling oncoming drivers, while continuing to give Corsa drivers a clear view of the road.
The latest iteration of Vauxhall’s logo sits in the centre of the car’s new nose, while elsewhere the Corsa has received 17in alloy wheels with black detailing, along with a new “shark fin” antenna at the car’s rear.
Inside, the Corsa’s infotainment system has been thoroughly reworked, with a 10in touchscreen positioned in the centre console and a 7in digital display in front of the updated steering wheel.
The new Corsa can be fitted with wireless phone charging for the first time, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. Other updates include a new gear lever and patterned seat upholstery.
Over-the-air updates and AI introduced
Artificial intelligence is part of a new user interface update, which also includes voice recognition to help drivers keep their eyes on the road. The technology can already be seen in the Astra range, while over-the-air updates will allow Corsa owners to update their cars’ technical capabilities without having to visit a dealership.
A range of safety features is included such as automatic emergency braking with the ability to detect pedestrians, as well as a speed limiter and adaptive cruise control. To aid parking, the Corsa is fitted with a high-resolution panoramic rear camera.
Corsa remains a strong seller
Britain’s top-selling supermini last year and the second best-selling car overall, the Corsa has proven enduringly popular since it replaced the Nova in 1993. It is likely to benefit from the discontinuation of the Ford Fiesta but the Corsa still faces stiff rivalry from cars such as the Skoda Fabia, Hyundai i20 and the Toyota Yaris. A new version of the Renault Clio has also just been unveiled.
Competition can also be found in Vauxhall’s fellow Stellantis brands. The Peugeot 208 — which dethroned the Volkswagen Golf as Europe’s best-selling car last year — is set to receive similar improvements to its electric system, for example.
A full list of UK specifications and prices for the Corsa will be announced in the summer, though Vauxhall is aiming to streamline its line-up in order to make choosing a model easier for the buyer.
Related articles
- After reading about the new Vauxhall Corsa, you might like to read about the new Vauxhall Astra Electric hatchback
- Here are all the car makers’ electric car plans
- And have you been wondering if now is the time to buy an electric car? Here’s what we think.
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