Corsa-e
At the 2019 IAA Frankfurt motor show today we saw a host of debuts from Opel.
The German brand revealed its new Corsa, it’s Corsa-e electric vehicle, Corsa-e Rally and GrandlandX Hybrid4 PHEV plug in hybrid. Also on show was the revised and more aerodynamic Astra compact family car, that now has five green engines with less than 100g/CO2 emissions!
2024 is the date that Opel says all its new models will be electrified. Opel Boss Michael Lohscheller says the PSA owned brand is launching what it calls its E-Offensive for passenger cars and LCV light commercial vehicles such as the Combo Life, Combo Cargo, Zafira Life and Vivaro all electrically driven by 2021.
Corsa-e under the skin
Opel’s first plug-in hybrid, the all-wheel drive Grandland X Hybrid4 looks particularly interesting as it is expected to deliver 300hp while being quite frugal. It’s WLTP fuel consumption figure is being quoted at 1.6 l/100km with an expected ultra-low CO2 figure of 37g/km.
Michael Lohscheller emphasised the importance of Opel’s electric offensive: “In 120 years of automobile production, Opel has always combined German engineering with passionate design, making pioneering technology and innovations accessible for everyone. The same goes today for electric mobility, which is why Opel has selected its most popular model, the Corsa, to finally free e-mobility from its niche existence.”
The show also premiere of the brand new Corsa-e Rally that will compete in the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup race series. Opel is the first carmaker to offer a battery electric car for customer rally sport.
Commercial vehicles are not being overlooked and in many ways are the ideal candidates for electrification. Lohscheller added: “Opel will be sustainably profitable, global and electric. By 2024, all Opel models will be electrified. Electrically driven vehicles will be especially important for the ‘last mile’ in urban areas, for example, for transportation services or businesses. This is why I am delighted to announce that the Combo Life, Combo Cargo and Zafira Life will already be electric in 2021. And the Vivaro van will be available as an electric version in the course of next year.”
Opel also aims to take the lead in the research and development of other pioneering propulsion systems. Lohscheller announced “Opel has many years of experience in fuel cell development, which is why the team in Rüsselsheim has been named as the Groupe PSA global competence centre for hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles. 
The first-generation Zafira already served as technology platform for HydroGen 1 to 3. We are continuing this tradition and have chosen the new Zafira Life as the first Opel vehicle to support the development of the next generation of fuel cell technology going forward.”
The Corsa arrives in Ireland in late December and will cost from circa €18,000. The Astra is due in late Jan 2020 and will start from €24,000 approx. The Corsa-e arrives in late March and will be circa €25-€26,000 after rebates. The Grandland X Hybrid4 arrives at the same time as the electric Corsa and will cost circa €48,000 after rebates.
The IAA runs until September 22nd (from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
