Video Podcast with Opel Corsa’s Designer
The new Opel Corsa was unveiled at the British International Motor Show recently. In this video podcast, Niels Loeb, chief designer, discusses the car’s design:
Niels Loeb, chief designer, Corsa Studio: “It’s OK to be daring, especially when it’s our striking new coup√©-like three-door Corsa. And look at its face — bright eyes with a cheeky grin. That’s just what we wanted the design to be — unique both inside and out, giving the owner a lasting sense of feel-good factor. It just cries out to be driven.”
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WHY can’t we get this car in the States? Get with the times! Your small cars are irrelevant, and somebody butchered the Vectra and called it Malibu… What GM NEEDS badly is product like this – now. Why does no one get this?
Mr. Loeb: The new Corsa 3 and 5 door look great but will you be creating an actual 2 Door Coupe of the Corsa?
The U.S. market demands 2 and 4 door models.
While the Corsa 3-Door and 5-Door will provide strong competition to the new Fit/Versa/Yaris trio and needs to be offered as both a Pontiac and Saturn, much like the Vauxhall/Opel offerings in Europe, a coupe version is needed.
A 2 Door coupe version of the Corsa with a rear roofline similar to the Astra Twin-Top would be popular in the U.S. market. Since the youth market is very style sensitive, a 2 Door coupe with a 140 HP 1.8L Ecotec with 5-speed manual or optional Easytronic would be popular. A Redline version with 180 HP 1.6L turbo and 6-speed would be a great platform for young tuners.
A “Twin-Top” Corsa convertible could be offered and would provide more versatility than the Tigra.
4-Door Corsa models would be different from the new Aveo by using a stretched 103″ WB with the same roofline as the 2 door coupe. This great looking 4-Door would position the Corsa Sedan above the Aveo in Europe as an Opel and in the U.S. as a Saturn. Best in class styling, performance drive-train and high MPG make the Corsa 4-Door the perfect entry level car for both Pontiac and Saturn.
Finally, a 3 Door hatch with coupe styling will sell in the U.S. as is illustrated by the Scion tC, and one based on the Corsa and/or Astra would be a success.
The Astra line also needs a 2 Door Coupe and one is already designed as the Twin-Top, needing only slight modification to a fixed roof configuration similar to the G6 coupe/convertible. The fixed roof 2-door Astra’s unique hardtop design creates a new segment in the compact coupe market.
The 4-door hardtop based on the Estate model 106″ WB would be a segment exclusive and have the sport styling of a coupe. Both the 2 door and 4 door styles are favored by U.S. customers and with these models, GM could come close to the 308,000 sales of the 2005 Civic lineup with 200,000 attainable, doubling 2005 Ion sales.
SAAB could also offer 3 and 5 door hatch versions of the 2 and 4 door Corsa/Astra, combining sport styling with utility; something SAAB was known for at one time. SAAB could also offer the 1.9L Turbo Diesel with 6 speed automatic as the new 9-2X. These models could also be offered in Europe where the 2 and 4 door model Corsa/Astra may not.
Once again, great job on the Corsa and hope to see some interesting variations in the future.
I have no doubt, the new Opel Corsa will be the very best of its class that money can buy over here. Like I already mentioned: It’s a first good start to introduce the Astra to the US-market in order to enrich Saturn’s all-new lineup. But also the new Corsa should follow under all circumstances, as well as the Zafira and (maybe) Meriva. If you would offer those models in America, people, who had been GM-sceptics so far, would have no “excuse” any longer to buy a Toyota, Honda, Hyundai (or whatever), especially because of rising gas-prices! Above all the Zafira might prove very important regarding that strategy. This model provides room nearly like an SUV (7 seats), but at the same time great fuel-efficiency as well. I wouldn’t have posted this comment, if I wasn’t ABSOLUTELY SURE, that certain Opel-vehicles could strengthen GM’s position in North-America and be helpful to get back some market-share from your competitors. In addition, such measures might enforce Opel’s reputation within Europe further more (synergy).
Please, hurry up.
I would snap up a Corsa 5 door if it were brought to the US, especially if it had the 1.3l CDTi in it.
I also think GM should start rating their cars in terms of Ounces of CO2 per Mile. Of course, this should also factor in the use of Ethanol and how that ethanol is produced.
This is a no brainer…
Bring It To The States!!!
to Rick Lupori from above:
I fail to see how, given the success of other small hatchbacks in the US you can issue the blanket statement that 2 and 4 door models are required. They are not. If a 3 and 5 door are done well, and especially if they look good, then they will sell. Toyota seems to be having no trouble with their Scion cars (two 5 doors, and one 3 door) and Chevy’s own Aveo as well as the Mazda3 seem to be selling quite well in 5 door form. I’m guesing that the Fit and Yaris also will not have any trouble with sales. The thing is, when you get into cars this small, they really have to be hatchbacks. Otherwise, the cars usefullness would be severely hampered because of small luggage space, and even smaller openings into which said luggage would be passed through. The Corsa is fine as it is. No need to graft a formal trunk onto a car that was never intended to have one. I do agree that the Astra should replace the Ion, but it should remain as is as far as body configurations. I’d also like to see the Tigra here, Which should satisfy your wish for a sporty coupe as it’s along the same lines as the Scion tC.
Hopefully the diesel engines will also finally make it here for these cars now that low sulfer regs for diesel fuel now more closely match those of the EU.
That said, I must agree with the sentiment that the Corsa is a car that should be sold in the US and Canada. With ever rising fuel prices, the car is more relavent than ever. Plus it’s already flex fuel in Brazil. Which would really be of benefit to those of us who live near gas stations that sell E85.
Their teamwork is a killer!!Mind-boggling design!!
Although it would make perfect sense to bring this car to the States (and would have several years back), this car was not engineered for the US market per Bob Lutz, quoted here.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060725/FREE/60724033/1024
This is why I get so frustrated. GM DOES NOT GET IT! Even most of their own employees get this, but they can’t seem to penetrate product planning…
How about a couple of simple still photos and the specifications. My computer doesn’t want to know about the video. Keep it simple stupid, for the likes of me.
5 door is great. It’s the only B size configuration we would consider.
Thanks Dave, August 3, 8:19 AM. Too blody right!
To Dave:
Thanks for providing that link. What I don’t understand: For sure, the new Opel Corsa will complete the EuroNCAP-crash-tests very successfully. Then, why should this car fail at US-crash-tests? Are the corresponding standards that significantly different? As I believe, originally there hadn’t been intentions to offer the Opel Astra for the US-market, neither. But now, despite of that, referring to some reports, it will enter Saturn-showrooms in early 2007. So, why shouldn’t it be possible, to bring other Opel-vehicles to the USA, too?
My proposal: GM should start a survey at its website, where visitors can vote “yes” or “no”, regarding the integration of certain Opel-products within the new Saturn-portfolio. I think, this would show a really interesting result ;o)
Mr. Langlitz:
Right. If it’ll compete with the Yaris-Fit-Versa, bring it!
First off, I have to say that I agree with Chris Rueter’s logic of 3 and 5 door body styles on small vehicles maximizing their utility. The problem is most American car buyers for whatever reason have always purchased more 2 Door and 4 door variations of a model when given the choice. Honda dropped the hatch versions of the Civic from the U.S. market due to slow sales.
The tC outsells the xA by an over 2 to 1 margin even though the xA is much cheaper and more functional and the Cobalt outsells the Aveo by a 4 to 1 ratio. The xB does not have typical 5 Door styling and is more of a small wagon which I personally prefer over all other small economy car body styles. A replacement for the Holden Cruze could be made from the new Corsa and sold worldwide along with the Meriva and Combo.
I agree that the Corsa 3-Door and 5-Door need to be sold as Saturn models with optional Turbo-Diesel power ASAP and should sell about 50,000 units. Adding a 3-Door hatch with a longer rear overhang and fastback roof will increase the cargo space and provide Pontiac with a 40 plus MPG entry model. A 2-Door coupe could be offered as well and a 4-door sedan would add a trunk to the 5-Door. The 2-Door coupe should offer the Panoramic windshield from the Corsa along with the 180 HP 1.6L turbo from the Meriva OPC.
As for the Tigra, it should be offered in the U.S. for buyers attracted to the styling of the Sky but prefer FWD or the higher MPG and the Astra Twin-Top must be offered for Sky buyers needing a rear seat and cargo space.
The Astra Twin top is a great looking car and a 2 Door Coupe version could be made from the convertible like the current G6 Coupe/Convertible. Remember this would be a 2 door hardtop and with the panoramic windshield from the 3-door and a Redline Version with 260 HP 2.0 DI Turbo it would be a big hit. A quad coupe version may also be offered for Saturn.
SAAB would make the 9-2x replacement by adding a hatch to the twin-top 2D coupe along with a 5-door version. The Astra Estate would be the basis of the 9-2 Sport Combi and all should be offered in Bio-Power Hybrid versions. AWD models would be added when the Astra/Cobalt Delta architecture is updated.
I would like GM to bring the entire line of Corsa and Astra models to the U.S. with 1.4 – 1.8L engines with E-85 capability, Turbo-Diesels and Easytronic transmissions. This includes Estate versions of both, the Zafira, Corsa Pickup, Meriva and Combo. All of these vehicles are competitive worldwide and some represent models that are not currently available from anyone in the U.S. market.
GM must offer models in this range on the U.S. market, because the young buyers of these models are GM’s future customers. These models will also attract older buyers who have not looked at GM products for many years. With $3 a gallon gas, the market is very different from the past and all segments must be given attractive models for a wide range of customers.
Wow!
Mr. Park,
thanks for your agreement. I still should have mentioned, that the Corsa always was a best-seller in Europe and also dominating Japanese competitors. So, once more, I have no doubt, that car would be a winner in the USA, too. By the way, Toyota’s market-share just amounts 4 percent in Germany, Opel’s share is close to 10 percent, after all.
>With $3 a gallon gas, the market
>is very different from the past and
>all segments must be given attractive
>models for a wide range of customers.
Who will bring the first small turbo diesel’s to the market that can burn the new October diesel fuel?
GM or Toyota? Perhaps VW? The race is on.
I don’t care which, as long as I can get 35+ mpg city. Those Opel’s look like a perfect choice to me.
Too bad I can’t buy one.
Rick:
I can appreciate your enthusiasim, though I believe adding new body configurations to the car, and thus, costs is not the way to go. If my information is correct, the Hatchback aversion is subsiding. probably due to the SUV craze. The Mazda3, and the Aveo are both, apparently, selling better as 5 doors, than as 4 doors. While the Mazda is a larger car, more in line with the Cobalt, it still does quite well. As or 3 doors, Ford hasn’t needed, nor have customers really demended a coupe to replace the Focus ZX3. Yet it sells quite well. Recently, again if my information is accurate, the ZX5 has been gaining in sales against the 4 door. Subaru also apparently tends to sell their 5 door Impreza “Wagon” (it isn’t really a wagon) in slightly greater numbers than the sedan. Even the VW Golf is gaining in sales against the Jetta, and Audi has apparently had almost no trouble in selling their A3 which is only a 5 door in the US.
Execution is the key. If the vehicles look good, and are made well, US buyers will consider them.
Also, in regard to your statement of the tC selling better than the xA, true, though the tC is also a hatchback.
I agree
The new Corsa may not have been designed with the US market in mind, but that issue has been overcome before for products such as the Honda Fit (which required extensive modification to bumpers resulting in several inches extra length), the first-gen Infiniti M45 (ditto), and GM’s own Pontiac GTO. The major problems for the Corsa are emissions certification (US standards are even tougher than the Euro4 and in some states than the future Euro5), and US-spec bumpers, which may spoil the Corsa’s good looks (compare Euro and US-spec Honda Fit/Jazz models and you’ll see the potential damage).
Mr. Charles,
well, I understand what you mentioned regarding that emissions certification. But, concerning this subject, where is the difference to the Opel Astra, which will replace the Ion? If you put it this way: Wouldn’t also the Astra miss the requirements in the USA?
Enthusiasm? Thanks but I thought the new GM strategy was to get the most derivatives as possible from one architecture.
Let’s take the Astra Twin-Top having a fixed roof version like the G6 Convertible and G6 Coupe.
1. With OPC styling it would be the best looking 2 door Coupe in this segment.
2. Be about $6,500 cheaper than the Twin-Top Convertible (like the G6).
3. Have a Hardtop roof. (segment exclusive)
4. Could offer the Panoramic Windshield (segment exclusive).
5. Fixed roof would improve handling.
6. Would outsell Convertible by at least 3 to 1.
7. Cost should be minimal to change roof and trunk panels (is was done on the G6)
Sales guesstimate of Astra in the U.S. market:
Astra 3 Door 25,000
Astra 5 Door 30,000
Astra Estate 20,000
Astra 2 Door 75,000
Astra Twin Top 22,000
Astra 4 Door 100,000 Total 272,000
Note that the 4 door model could be the Brazilian Vectra which is more the size of the Astra and should only have to add U.S. Certification costs.
Please review the 2006 sales data on 3/5 door opposed to 2/4 door models (Automotive News 8-7-06 pg 50-51).
Note the annual rates are based on 7 month sales except for the new to market Fit/Yaris.
Audi A3 (July) 682 (7 Months 06) 5,249 (annual 8,998)
VW Golf (July) 1,240 (7 Months) 11,499 (annual 19,713)
Jetta (July) 9,712 (7 Months) 63,057 (annual 108,098)
xA (July) 2,962 (7 Months) 19,794 (annual 33,933)
tC (July) 8,780 (7 Months) 46,313 (annual 79,394)
Ion (July) 10,329 (7 Months) 60,969 (annual 104,518)
Focus (July) 14,712 (7 Months) 111,108 (annual 190,471)
Cobalt (July) 23,961 (7 Months) 143,913 (annual 246,708)
Civic* (July) 25,934 (7 Months) 175,235 (annual 300,403)
*Hybrid sales subtracted from Civic numbers
Fit (July) 3,135 (7 Months) 15,922 (annual 36,620*)
Yaris (July) 10,137 (7 Months) 32,822 (annual 121,644*)
*Fit and Yaris annual estimate based on 1 month since both are new this year
A quick congrats to the Cobalt for being right there with the Civic and who would have guessed the Ion on track to top 100,000 sales this year. As you can see there is no contest in the Golf vs. Jetta numbers or in the Fit vs. Yaris (my guess is 4D Yaris sell at least 3 to 1 over 5D models). Also even with 3D, 4D, 5D and Wagon models the Focus cannot keep up with the Cobalt/Civic numbers.
Sales guesstimate of Corsa in the U.S. market:
Corsa 3 Door 20,000
Corsa 5 Door 30,000
Corsa 2 Door 40,000 (Actually 3 Dr hatch like tC)
Corsa 4 Door 50,000 Total 140,000
You are missing my point that the Corsa 3-Door and 5-Door do need to be sold as Saturn models and must offer optional Turbo-Diesel power. And I do agree a 3 door hatch like the tC would be preferred over a 2 Door coupe with trunk on the Corsa, but why go through all the cost of U.S. market certification to sell 50,000 when with a little additional investment you can sell 140,000. Also the Corsa will probably be made in Mexico or South America and sold worldwide as the previous model was with the same 4 Door and Wagon derivatives. Another 60,000 to 75,000 units could be sold with Tigra, Meriva, Montana Pickup and Combo models boosting the total to over 200,000.
Let’s start with the current Astra and Corsa models and get some Turbo-Diesels with over 50 MPG and add the rest when they are designed.
Exactly how many car magazines do you read Rick? I only ask because you’ve pretty well condensed what they’ve been going on and on about. They all expect cars to behave like sports cars, which is probably why they tend to bash anything that isn’t. However, back to the original topic: The corsa is a hatchback. plain and simple. The added cost and complexity to add a trunk would not be worth it in the long run. It would make the car to expensive. There is also no need for a coupe since the Tigra IS the Corsa coupe you keep going on about.
Chris: You may not be familiar with Automotive News as it is not a mainstream consumer magazine. It is written for Dealers, Automotive Retailers and Management and primarily covers new models, interviews Auto Executives and reports sales. Automotive News does not do road tests.
Sales are the scorecard of the Auto industry and how vehicles are judged as successful by management and the financial community. A model is considered a success if it can sustain over 100,000 sales annually. A hit sells over 200,000 and a market leader (car) is over 300,000.
A mass market vehicle must sell 50,000 to sustain itself in the market and the 3/5 Door Corsa can, but as the Yaris is proving to get to the 100,000 level it must have a 4-Door. The Saturn Corsa must deliver 40 MPG with great ride and handling and offer unique features like AFL lighting and the Corsa will deliver this. It must also have either a Hybrid or Turbo-Diesel delivering 60 MPG and the Corsa has the Diesel. For a fraction of the cost of developing the Corsa GM can create a 4-door and more than double U.S. sales. This model will also sell well in Eastern Europe and South America.
As for the coupe I keep going on about; it is the Astra 2 Door Coupe not the Corsa. The Astra 2 Door Coupe is one size larger and competes against the Honda Civic not the Fit. Saturn must have a 2 Door Coupe and a 4 Door Sedan version of the Astra to have any chance against the Civic Coupe and Sedan.
There is a reason that the Civic, Corolla, Focus, Jetta, Ion, Yaris and Cobalt are all over the 100,000 unit mark, they all offer 4-Door Sedans. And a good percentage of Civic and Cobalt sales are 2 Door Coupes and even the Sunfire sold over 20,000 and the 2 Door only G5 should do at least 30,000.
The main thing is to get the Saturn Corsa and Saturn Astra (tentative names) on the U.S. market ASAP.
To Mr. Lupori:
I have some doubt, that it would be a major target for GM to sell the all-new Corsa in South America and Eastern Europe, since Chevrolet Do Brazil will launch an own model for that segment, the Chevrolet Prisma and, as I understood, it’s GM’s strategy to establish Chevrolet as a major brand in Eastern- and South Europe, what, by the way, seems to work fine so far. Well, of course, it’s also a question of personal taste, but I believe, a 4-door-version of the Corsa would ruin it’s design-expression at the end.
Don’t worry: The Corsa is kicking a** of the Japanese competitors over here daily. Just look at the statistics of the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt.
My proposal for Western- and Central Europe: Offer the 2007 Aveo also as a hatchback, because I can’t see any Chevy-model yet, which will fill the gap, when the Kalos (Aveo hatchback in the USA) is phased out. So far, for example, German and other Western-European customers seem to have a little trouble to accept the Aveo 4-door, despite it’s a respectable sub-compact car.
Mr. Langlitz: Good points on the Aveo and the 2007 styling, better interior and increased width should help sales here and in Europe and I am anxious to see what the new Aveo 5 will look like. You seem to have a grasp on both the European market as well as the U.S. and I have a few questions for you:
Do the Astra and Corsa manual transmission models shift as well as the Honda models?
Can the new 140 HP 1.8L deliver 40 MPG in the Corsa with an automatic in the real world. Calculating from published numbers my guess would be yes.
How well does the “Easytronic” shift and would it appeal to American buyers who prefer automatics.
To explain my logic on the Corsa, it would be offered by Saturn and Pontiac dealers at a price premium to the Aveo. Corsa would compete against Civic, Scion and VW; Aveo with Yaris. The Corsa has a European tuned chassis with great looking 3/5 Door models and unique options like AFL, Flex-Fix and SLS. The Corsa could start with the 1.4L 5-speed but would need the 1.8L Automatic for the U.S. market with the 90 HP 1.3L Turbo Diesel 6-speed and 1.7L Turbo Diesel Automatic as options and 1.6L Turbo on the Redline.
This will be fine for the first two years but after that the Corsa will need a broader range of models to compete with the new sedan, wagon and crossover variants of the Fit. The 5 Door could easily be made into a Wagon with a design similar to the current Vibe and the sedan styled like the Brazilian Vectra.
The Brazilian designed Vectra 4-door (actually an Astra) is a beautiful sedan and blends the rear door lines of the 5-door Astra into a trunk perfectly. Cost would be minimal since it uses the same dash, seats and doors from the “B” pillar forward.
The coupe would maintain the 3 door roofline to the “B” pillar with revised rear side glass and a fastback roofline for a hatch like the new Scirocco or a less aggressive one like the Civic for a 2 Door. The Coupe/Hatch would be a Pontiac exclusive and if sales justify it could be offered as an Opel.
Designing a stylish car on a shortened hatch with one overhang is difficult and few designers have done it as well as Mr. Loeb. Judging from the excellent design Mr. Loeb created for the new Corsa I am sure his coupe and sedan versions will be stunning.
This leaves the Cruze, Combo, Meriva and Montana to update. The Fit will offer a small crossover like the Cruze and GM needs an answer; the Combo can compete with the Element with new styling. The Meriva and Montana can open new markets for Saturn.
Excuse my enthusiasm, persistence or whatever; but GM must maximize the potential of the Corsa then use what works for the next Gamma design when the Aveo and Corsa will be on the same platform. Corsa has Turbo Diesel engines and unique features like Navigation, Easytronic and Flex-Fix rack making it cheaper to add models to it than put these features in the Aveo. GM must offer desirable and efficient small cars; with the Aveo in the entry position and Corsa for the sport tuner and turbo diesel market it has the right cars at the right time.
GM needs to respond quickly to consumers’ relatively sudden change in tastes away from trucks and SUVs and back to smaller cars with better gas mileage. This is a hedge against even higher fuel prices. Most consumers want predictable household budgets and fuel efficient cars reduce the variability of the monthly budget. Something Toyota and Honda are missing is that consumers still want the luxury touches in these smaller packages. The Corsa would be a perfect quick response by Saturn with an upscale interior and the potential for a high content top of the line model. The three door is strikingly good looking compared to the competition.
G.M. NEEDS TO WAKE UP, MARKET HAS CHANGED, STOP MAKING YOUR CARS LOOK LIKE OTHER MAKES, BE ORIGINAL, PEOPLE BUY JAPANESE NOT FOR THE LOOKS BUT FOR THE QUALITY!!!GET THE QUALITY UP TO PAR AND HAVE NORTH AMERICAN STYLING-AND YOULL HAVE A WINNER BE ORIGINAL