Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Corsa Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Corsa has a 1598cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Corsa shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corsa's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 960 kgs (2116 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V in the same weight category as the 2014 Radical RXC 3.7 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Corsa shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 109 bhp (81 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 111 lb-ft (150.4 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (138.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa.

The Vauxhall-Opel Corsa has a Power to weight ratio of 113.5 bhp per ton and 115.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 Corsa competing with the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (138.5 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 3.2 V6 GSi (138.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa generating around 115.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 Lusso (140.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (140.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.6 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (9.30 secs) the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (9.30 secs) the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (9.30 secs) the or the 1987 Citroen AX Sport (9.30 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V is also faster than the 1986 Ford Granada Scorpio 4x4 2.8 V6 (9.40 secs) the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (9.40 secs) the 1955 Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. (9.40 secs) the and the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corsa and the 1988 Lancia Delta Integrale 8v

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.71 secs @ 81.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Lancia Delta Integrale 8v (16.63 secs), the 2002 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 230 (16.64 secs), and the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (16.64 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 Corsa equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph), or the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph).

Related Links:

1993 Corsa Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison