Opel Corsa 120Year Special Edition Review

By Farzana Chaumoo

Based on the popular Corsa Enjoy model, Opel released a commemorative model called the 120Year Edition. We list what styling and specification features make it unique.

 

Styling

When I was told I was receiving the 120Year Edition, I was excited to be receiving something unique, perhaps something sporty. However, when I went out into the parking lot to collect my car, I double-took this car and even checked with the key to see if this was the model that was unlocking when I pressed buttons.

I’m not going to lie, I won’t say I was disappointed, but, I expected more. A lot more in terms of styling and features to sell me on this “special edition”. Don’t get me wrong, nothing is wrong with this car, it’s just bland to look at. In terms of ‘special’ style, it features 5 elements. It roams on 16-inch Gun Metal Silver alloy wheels but the design is not as fancy as it sounds, a sportier wheel would make a world of difference on the looks. Then again, and if you’re into customizing, you can always shop for something else from the wide variety of options available in the world, because the car does have a lot of potential.

Inside you’re getting an upgraded 'Allure' cloth trim, 'Opel' door sill plates, velour floor mats with embroidered '120Y' logo and there’s chrome moulding on the beltline. But the overall look and feel of this model is dated. The Opel IntelliLink Infotainment System is the highlight of the interior and on the dash. It’s accessible through a 7-inch touchscreen paired with 6 Premium Speakers and also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

 

The Drive

The Corsa 120Year edition didn’t benefit from any mechanical upgrades. It is powered by a 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that puts out maximum power of 66 kW and 170 Nm of torque. The engine is paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox that drives the front wheels.

Since the car is a lightweight, weighing in at 1,220 kg, it’s actually quite perky on the road despite its power figure on paper. The drive itself was pretty decent. It’s also very stable and holds considerably well to the road even through corners and bends while gear changes and feedback are good. On the highway, it’s smooth and keeps up with fast-lane traffic. It also has sufficient oomph for overtaking. The steering is communicative and fun (on a small scale) can be had in the Corsa.

 

Performance figures of test derivative

• Power @ r/min (kW): 66 @ 3700­ - 6000
• Torque @ r/min (Nm): 170 @ 1800 – 3700
• Drive Axle
• Front-Wheel Drive
• 6-Speed Manual
• Tyre Size: 195/55R16

 

Space and Comfort

Front seats weren’t too comfortable and the proportions of the driver’s seat weren’t conducive, to someone my size, to get comfortable in. I also had to sit more to the left in my seat in order to be able to change gears otherwise my elbow was limited to movement and would constantly hit the seat in a normal seating position. Space, however, was sufficient around the cabin. There's decent head and leg room in the front even for tall occupants, but they may struggle in the rear. 

The overall fit and finish had a high-quality feel to it and the piano gloss black surfaces in the cabin also add a nice touch, however, I would find it frustrating to keep it scratch free as the quality of the surface can scratch easily. But that would only bug you if you’re really pedantic about those kinds of things. 

There aren’t that many center storage pockets but the door pockets should be sufficient for your necessities. In the boot, you’re getting 265 litres of space which is substantially smaller than some rivals but will be enough for your grocery shopping. 

 

Safety

Standard safety features on the 120Y Edition include:

• Rear-view Camera
• Front & Rear Park-Assist
• ABS / ESP / HSA
• Driver & Passenger, Front Seat Side & Curtain Airbags
• ISOFIX Child Seat Anchorage
• Anti-Theft Alarm & Immobiliser
• Remote-Controlled Central Locking

 

Fuel Consumption

Urban (l/100 km) – 5.6

Extra-Urban (l/100 km) – 4.1

Combined Cycle (l/100 km) – 4.6

On a combined cycle, Opel claims a very attractive figure of 4.6 L/100 km, but during our time with it, the fuel consumption returned was 6.1 L/100 km. That’s considerably higher for a small 1.0-litre.

 

Price

The Opel Corsa 120Year Special Edition is selling for R259,900 and comes with a 3-Year/120 000 km Warranty, 3-Year/60 000 km Service Plan and 3-Year/60 000 km Roadside Assistance.

 

The Verdict 

Since its introduction in 1982, the Corsa has sold more than 13.5 million units and for that reason plays a prominent role in Opel’s 120 year anniversary. It is a car suited for single people, students, or even young families. While it does offer some value, but for its price, there are many other cars on the market you could also look at that offers a little more bang for your buck. 

 

 

Recommended: Is the Opel Corsa good for new drivers? Here’s our verdict.

 

Read more Opel Corsa Car Reviews