Vauxhall has announced a new electric version of the Corsa ¬– named the Corsa-e – which is set to arrive in showrooms later in 2019. The Corsa remains one of the most popular cars in Europe, with more than 13.5 million sold since its launch in 1993 – so this new variant could be a game-changer when it comes to bringing electric cars to the mass market. And this is only the beginning, with Vauxhall set to electrify their entire range by 2024.
Vauxhall Corsa-e power train
The Vauxhall Corsa-e uses a 50kWh battery to power an electric propulsion system offering 136bhp. And with an electric motor providing 260Mn of torque, you get outstanding response, with the car accelerating from 0–31mph in just 2.8 seconds and reaching 62mph in 8.1 seconds.
Vauxhall Corsa-e charging and range
Range anxiety won’t hold you back; the Corsa-e can manage a 205-mile range, and has three driving modes to choose from in Normal, Eco and Sport. Sport mode uses a little more power but adjusts the responsiveness to deliver a powerful drive. Eco mode adjusts all the car’s system settings to deliver maximum energy efficiency, with the car delivering up to 40% better range in comparison to Sport mode.
The Corsa-e comes with an 11kW on-board charger as standard, which works both with a home charger and rapid charger. And there’s no need to wait around all night, with the car charging to 80% in just 30 minutes using a rapid charger.
With its regenerative braking systems used to recover energy used when decelerating, no opportunity to top up the batteries is missed. This recovered power can either be used instantly or stored in the battery.
And for extra peace of mind, the battery comes with an eight-year guarantee from Vauxhall.
Infotainment
This electric car also offers a range of powerful features, with the option of a Navi infotainment system. Controlled with a touchscreen, this system features live navigation with real-time updates, and is compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto so you’ll remain connected with your favourite apps, podcasts and playlists. You’ll also enjoy Vauxhall Connect telematics which provides vehicle information via an app, as well as built-in roadside assistance and emergency call.
Driver assistance systems
The Corsa-e comes with a range of innovative driver assistance systems to ensure you stay safe when driving, including traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, blind spot alert and driver drowsiness detection.
There are also two automatic emergency braking systems; a camera-based system that can identify vehicles and pedestrians and bring the car to a stop at lower speeds, and a camera and radar-based system which can detect vehicles, pedestrians, bikes and motorcycles and can be used to reduce the car’s speed by up to 31mph in order to reduce the force of a collision.
Parking has never been easier with both parking pilot and a panoramic rear-view camera, which increases visibility and allows you to see traffic approaching from either side.