Opel Corsa B (facelift 1997) 1.2i (45 Hp)


Overall Rating

6.3 / 10
Safety 2.0 / 5
Engine 3.0 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 3.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Opel Corsa:

The Opel Corsa is a supermini car manufactured and marketed by Opel since 1982. The car is known as the Vauxhall Corsa in the United Kingdom. Before General Motors sold Opel and Vauxhall to PSA Group in 2017, the Corsa was also rebadged under the Chevrolet, Holden and Buick brands.
The Corsa was once the best-selling car in the world in 1998, recording 910,839 sales. At that time, the Corsa assembled on four continents, marketed under five different marques and offered in five body styles. By 2007, over 18 million Corsas had been sold globally....(Read more on Wikipedia)

B (facelift 1997) Overview:

Opel Corsa (B (facelift 1997)). With 88 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~8.6 l/100km). Weighing only 867 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 20 s). The top speed reaches 145 km/h. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

1.2i (45 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 2 stars

Performance Verdict

Extremely basic and underpowered, strictly suitable for low-speed city use where acceleration is not a concern.

Fuel Economy

Acceptable fuel economy for a basic petrol engine, but the significant performance trade-off is notable.

Best Use Case: City (strictly)

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Wide range of economical engines, especially diesels and the 1.0/1.2 16V petrols.
  • • Compact size makes it excellent for city driving and parking.
  • • Generally reliable and inexpensive to maintain.
  • • Good value for money on the used market.

Cons:

  • • Below-average Euro NCAP safety rating (2 stars).
  • • Basic interior quality and limited refinement compared to newer rivals.
  • • Entry-level engines can feel underpowered outside urban environments.
  • • Some common issues include rust on older models and occasional electrical gremlins.

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(B: March, 1993 - 1997).

General:
Brand:Opel
Model:Corsa
Generation:B (facelift 1997)
Modification (Engine):1.2i (45 Hp)
Start of production:March, 1997
End of production:December, 1997
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Hatchback
Seats:5
Doors:3-5
Engine:
Power:45 Hp @ 4600 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:37.6 Hp/l [Same length.]
Torque:88 Nm @ 2800 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:X12SZ More details about the engine X12SZ
Engine displacement:1196
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Single-point injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Engine oil capacity:3.5 l
Coolant:5.9 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:72 mm mm
Piston Stroke:73.4 mm mm
Compression ratio:10:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:8.6 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:5.3 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:6.5 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:20 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:20 sec
Maximum speed:145 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:19.3 kg/Hp, 51.9 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:9.9 kg/Nm, 101.5 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:19 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:867
Max. weight:1395
Max load:528
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:1050 l
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:260 l
Fuel tank capacity:46 l
Size:
Length:3740 mm mm [Same length.]
Width:1610 mm mm [Same width.]
Height:1420 mm mm [Same height.]
Wheelbase:2445 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1385 mm
Rear (Back) track:1390 mm
Ride height (ground clearance):140 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDisc [bad for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Tires size165/70 R13
Wheel rims size5J x 13
Front suspensionCoil spring
Rear suspensionCoil spring

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