Opel: Corsa GSI makes a strong appearance
For those who like sporty lines, the Opel Corsa GSi is now a 150-hp compact car. Its chassis in particular is a joy to drive. Prices start at 26,400 francs. GSi are three letters with tradition at Opel. There has been a GSi in every Corsa generation, and now the new Corsa is available [...].
GSi - three letters with tradition at Opel. There has been a GSi in every Corsa generation, and now the GSi, which can be ordered immediately, is the sportiest model in the series. The OPC is no longer offered.
Manual transmission with gearshift reduction
With 150 hp from a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, the little Blitz is sufficiently powered for its just under 1200 kilogram unladen weight. However, the competition from VW, Ford or Renault plays in a league above with 200 hp and more. The Corsa GSi completes the sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, and the speedometer needle stops at 207 km/h. The Corsa GSi's speed is only reduced at 3000 rpm. The Corsa GSi's maximum torque only kicks in at 3,000 rpm and is then available up to 4,500 rpm - above this mark, the small turbo engine revs up particularly readily. Lazy shifting? Rather not. But shifting gears is a joy with the six-speed manual transmission with shortened shift travel.
Agility is the strength of the little lightning
The sports chassis with mechanical damper adjustment FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) extends the range between a comfortable basic setting and a stiffening chassis when it comes to sporty cornering and power needs to be applied to the front wheels when accelerating out. The Koni shock absorbers adjust automatically depending on the amplitude of the impacting shocks. The valves are not controlled by an electronic control system, but do this themselves thanks to FSD technology.
Agile, but extremely forgiving
Despite the 18-inch wheels with 215/40 Michelin sports tires mounted in the test car, the Corsa GSi is extremely comfortable to drive, which should be even better with the standard 17-inch wheels. If you speed up in the corners, the Opel is very neutral and forgiving, even if the driver overdoes it a bit at the beginning of the bend. The direct and sensitive steering also contributes to a clean line.
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