Opel: Corsa Rally4 in the starting blocks

SUCCESSOR TO THE ADAM R2 Opel is making sporty noises again. The newly developed Corsa Rally4 is intended for customer sport, naturally also in Switzerland. The new car follows the Adam R2. The Corsa Rally4 was developed according to the regulations of the Rally4 category, which replaces the previous R2 class. With R2 touring cars went in recent years [...]

Editorial - September 30, 2020

With the new Corsa Rally4, Opel customers should be able to make just as big a leap in terms of sporting performance as they did previously with the Adam R2.

The Corsa Rally4 was developed according to the regulations of the Rally4 category, which replaces the previous R2 class. In recent years, R2 touring cars were used, for example, by the junior teams competing for their own title in the Swiss Rally Championship.

Potent three-cylinder
Instead of the high-revving naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine from the Adam R2, which has been good for more than 220 class wins, 530 podium places and 32 national championship titles since its homologation for the 2014 season, the Corsa Rally4 now has an extremely efficient three-cylinder. This is based on the 1.2-liter gasoline engine, which boasts impressive performance figures of 208 hp and 290 Nm of torque thanks to turbocharging.

The power train between the engine, which is controlled via central electronics from Magneti Marelli, and the front axle is provided by a five-speed sequential transmission from Sadev. The differential can be individually adjusted using three different ramps. The rally suspension with Eibach springs and Öhlins shock absorbers is fully adjustable.

The new rally vehicle from Rüsselsheim will be tested for robustness with test drives on unpaved roads before homologation takes place on December 1.

Positive feedback from the test drivers
After several months of testing together with PSA Motorsport, special test drives with the Opel Corsa Rally4 were scheduled last week in the south of France on gravel and asphalt tracks.

Thanks to its longer wheelbase, the Corsa is more stable than the Adam R2 in fast corners and yet very agile. The test drivers also commented positively on the available engine power. The turbo engine's higher torque and much wider usable rev band require fewer gear changes for the driver than with a comparable naturally aspirated engine. Traction was also very good.

The cockpit also invites Swiss drivers to take a seat in it. At what price, however, has not yet been determined.

Ready for 2021 season
Homologation of the Opel Corsa Rally4 is scheduled for December 1, 2020. Assembly of the customer vehicles will begin immediately afterwards. Orders from customer teams will then also be possible, including those from Switzerland, of course.

Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott: "Our customers can look forward to a fast, reliable rally car, just like they already know from the Adam R2. The Corsa Rally4 was also consistently developed with a view to keeping operating costs as low as possible. This is easy on customers' budgets and ensures good value for money."

The purchase price of the Opel Corsa Rally4 will be announced in the near future.