Opel Corsa Hybrid 48 Volt: road test

More choice for the Opel Corsa. The B-segment city car was revamped last year with updates to the front end and also the interior as well as the new infotainment system. As of this month, it is also available in an electrified version with 48-volt technology to complement the petrol and electric engines.

The Opel Corsa Hybrid is equipped with a system consisting of a lithium-ion battery that is automatically recharged under certain driving conditions and 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo gasoline engines with 100 hp (74 kW) and 136 hp (100 kW), which were specially developed for the hybrid application. The engines are combined with a new electrified six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a 28 hp (21 kW) electric motor. The advantages of the 48-volt hybrid version lie mainly in the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions: compared to the purely combustion engine, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced by around 18 per cent. At the wheel, the Corsa Hybrid is nippy and pleasant to drive even in an urban context, thanks also to its small dimensions.

Precisely in the urban context, the system offers the greatest advantages: the electric motor assists the petrol engine especially during acceleration, for example when starting from a standstill. It also contributes torque, especially at low engine speeds, to the benefit of driving dynamics and reduced CO2 emissions. At low speeds, the electric motor also enables fully electric driving up to one kilometre. During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the electric motor acts as a generator to recharge the 48V battery of the hybrid system. Depending on one's driving preference, the driver can choose between the three modes Eco, Normal and Sport. These change the character of the car, from pure electric that allows a top speed of 135 km/h to sport mode that puts the full power of the car on the ground.

In the cabin of the Opel Corsa Hybrid, occupants can take advantage of the optional fully digital driver information display (standard on Corsa GS). As usual, it clearly displays all important information, with additional useful hybrid-specific information. The speed values on the digital display light up white when the petrol engine is running. If this is switched off and the car is operated in purely electric mode, the display turns blue. There is also a power indicator (subdivided into Power, Eco and Charge) and a display that provides information on the flow of energy between the battery, petrol engine and wheels, as well as the state of charge of the battery.

And the most important data on distance travelled, journey time, average consumption, remaining range and percentage of the journey in pure electric mode can be read out via the trip summary display when the vehicle is switched off.The occupants of the Opel Corsa Hybrid are well connected with the new multimedia infotainment system that includes a 10-inch colour touch screen.