Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Corsa Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Corsa has a 1796cc 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 980 kgs (2160 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo 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 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 123 bhp (91 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 122 lb-ft (165.4 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 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 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (150.5 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 125.5 bhp per ton and 124.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 Corsa competing with the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (150.5 bhp per ton) or the 1963 Maserati Quattroporte AM 107 4.1 V8 (150.4 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 124.4 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 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS QV 3.0l V8 (149.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX - Hatch (149.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs) the or the 2000 Citroen C2 VTR (9.00 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corsa and the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.15 secs @ 84.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo (16.09 secs), the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman (16.09 secs), and the 2005 BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 (16.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 Corsa equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

2004 Corsa Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison