The much-anticipated 3-door Opel Corsa GSi joins the South African Opel model line-up, where a number of 'tweaks' take the legendary GSi badge more towards the territory of sport luxury with a powertrain which focuses on everyday driving needs.

According to Opel’s media release, time has certainly moved on in terms of safety and speed legislation, and Opel is pioneering this new trend by gently distancing the new GSi badge from its historical pure performance roots. Although not a pure racing machine, the turbocharged 1.4-litre German motor delivers outstanding throttle response and torque, as well as featuring a special GSi-calibration for increased responsiveness. Mated to a short-ratio, six-speed gearbox, the engine delivers outstanding punch in second and third gear and impresses with great elasticity.

The new OPEL Corsa GSi's agile OPC sport suspension and brakes (with red calipers) were set up on the legendary Nürburgring 'Nordschleife distances' to ensure precise athleticism, outstanding and agile handling and sudden braking. To top off its stunning good looks, the new GSi features 18-inch light alloy wheels and high-grip tyres. The Corsa GSi has a characteristic sporty design with large air intakes, sculptured bonnet, prominent rear spoiler and precisely moulded side sills. From the front, the cheeky new GSi fascia features a large honeycomb grille and, in the center, the Opel Blitz badge supported by two wings, with the exterior rear-view mirror housings in racing-look carbon colour. Large, chrome-ringed design elements which are visually connected in a horizontal line via the black crosspieces running across the front, along with the black traverse cleat on the bonnet, support the impression of a serious road-clinging athlete. When viewed from the rear, the prominent spoiler on the edge of the roof creates additional downforce, and the sporty chrome tailpipe is framed by the vibrant design of the rear apron in body colour.

The exterior highlights include; colour-coded door handles and bumpers, OPC-Line exterior sport pack, sport front bumper, side rocker-mouldings, OPC extreme rear roof spoiler, chrome exhaust tip, rear privacy windows & tailgate glass. Also include bi-xenon headlights with cornering lights and levelling control, daytime LED running lamps and automatic headlight on/off control with tunnel detection.

Moving inside, the feeling of luxurious sportiness is further conveyed by the nice interior, featuring many standard extras not normally found in more expensive vehicles than the GSi. Amongst the many standard features, the GSi boasts leather cladding, Recaro performance front seats, speed-sensitive power steering with a sport steering wheel, while additionally the steering wheel is adjustable for both tilt and telescopic and also houses the audio controls, which would be very expensive extras in competitive vehicles. Also standard is Nappa Leather, Recaro Performance, height adjustable and heated front seats and 60/40-split foldable rear Seats. 3.5'' One-Colour Graphic, electric and manually foldable side mirrors, driver sun visor with mirror, foldable key, 12-V Power Outlet, radio / Bluetooth® / USB / MP3 / aux input, 7" touchscreen IntelliLink and six premium speakers. Convenience items include; electronic climate control, heated steering wheel with switch, cruise control with speed limiter, moisture-sensitive windscreen wipers, OPC-Line interior sport pack, power front windows with express up/down.

In terms of safety the GSi is well equipped with electronic stability programme, hill-start assist, driver, passenger, front seat side & curtain airbags, pedal release system, passenger airbag de-activation switch, Isofix child seat anchorage, dual seatbelt pre-tensioners, seatbelt reminder, driver assistance pack, lane departure warning (sensor indicator), traffic sign recognition (sensor indicator), forward collision alert (sensor indicator), following distance (sensor indicator), interior and auto dimming rear-view mirror. Security features include anti-theft alarm and immobilizer, remote-controlled central locking.

Under the bonnet is Opel’s 1 364 cc which develops 110 kW at 5000 RPM and 220 NM at between 3000 – 4500 RPM with drive to the front wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is given as 6.4 - 6.0 l / 100km. The tank capacity is 45 litres. The Opel Corsa GSi rides on low profile 215/40R18 radials on alloy wheels. To scrub off speed, the GSi is fitted with disc brakes both front and rear, and the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). Security is provided by the anti-theft alarm and immobilizer and remote-controlled central locking.

The recommended retail selling price of the new Opel Corsa GSi is R365 900 which includes the Roadside Assistance Warranty for 3 Years / 120 000 km, the Anti-Corrosion Warranty for 12 Years with Unlimited km and Service Intervals at 12 Months / 15 000 km.