2015 Opel Corsa OPC Test-Driven on a Race Track

With the E generation of the Corsa, Opel has pushed the OPC envelope a little further. Whereas the 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX turbo diesel-powered 2015 Opel Corsa is as frugal as it gets, the OPC is all about thrills and spills for the most enthusiastic of drivers.
To prove its capabilities, CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann and racecar driver Joachim Jockel Winkelhock went for a test drive with the brand new Corsa E OPC at the Opel Testcenter in Dudenhofen. I admit that I’m not too impressed by the “new generation” label Opel put on the Corsa. The glasshouse, roof panel and much of what’s under the skin is shared with the D generation, which is making the E a sort of a heavy facelift job.

But, as it’s often the case with performance-oriented cars, the OPC’s GM Fiat Small platform has been thoroughly retuned to take the abuse of all those ponies and torques on spirited driving stints. In the video attached below, racing driver Jockel doesn’t give it proper pedal-to-the-metal, Scandinavian flick action, nor does Opel chief exec Karl-Thomas Neumann. Oh how we wished to see and hear the OPC carve up the Opel Testcenter’s twisties, but that kind of entertainment seems to be reserved for another time.

Those bucket seats are just what the doctor ordered and look like there’s fair padding for them to be comfortable as well. Secondly, a proper six-speed manual is in the cards, as is an infotainment system similar to that equipping the Adam city car. I’m not too sure about the black & gray dashboard with a dash of silvery metal trim, but the cabin is just so for most of the OPC’s potential customer pool.

Although the 2015 Opel Corsa OPC is expected to be powered by a peppy 1.6-liter turbocharged four-banger with 210 PS (210 HP or 207 all-American horsepower), the sound doesn’t disappoint. If turbo hissing is your thing, you’ll be disappointed to hear a really faint one.

Nevertheless, there’s a nice, round burble when idling and an entertaining rasp when slamming the gas pedal. All in all, a nice package for a supermini hot hatch. Last but not least, look forward to the Geneva Motor Show for the Corsa OPC’s debut. Renault Clio RS and Ford Fiesta ST, the OPC is hot on your tails.