Opel Corsa Specs and Generations: Full Model Overview (1982–present)

A guide to Opel Corsa generations from 1982 to the present: power ranges, notable engines, and which versions make the most sense to buy.

The Opel Corsa is a micro-class car built from 1982 to the present, with outputs ranging from 45 to 156 hp across the lineup. It suits drivers who want a compact, front-wheel-drive city car with a wide choice of petrol, diesel and — in recent years — electric versions. This overview of Opel Corsa generations covers every stage of the model, from the first coupe-bodied cars to the current electrified range.

Opel Corsa generations

1 generation (1982–1993)

The first Opel Corsa was produced from 1982 to 1993 as a coupe, exclusively with manual gearboxes and front-wheel drive, spanning 22 modifications from 45 to 101 hp. The mass version was the 1.4 MT (60 hp) with a 1388 cc engine, 15.0 s to 100 km/h and 6.9 l/100 km. The top of the range was the 1.6 MT (101 hp), a 1598 cc unit that reached 100 km/h in 9.5 s at 7.2 l/100 km. Diesel buyers had the 1.5 MT in 50 hp and 67 hp forms, both returning 5.7 l/100 km.

2 generation (1993–2000)

The second-generation Opel Corsa (1993–2000) switched to a micro body and added an automatic option, with 26 modifications from 45 to 109 hp — all front-wheel drive. The common choice was the 1.2 AT (65 hp) with a 1199 cc engine and 17.0 s acceleration. The strongest version, the 1.6 MT (109 hp), did 0–100 km/h in 9.5 s with 7.2 l/100 km, while the 1.5 MT (50 hp) diesel used just 5.7 l/100 km.

3 generation (2000–2003)

The third generation ran from 2000 to 2003 with 17 modifications between 58 and 125 hp, offering manual, automatic and automated manual gearboxes. The widespread engine was the 1.7 MT (75 hp) diesel — 1686 cc, 13.5 s to 100 km/h and 4.7 l/100 km. The flagship 1.8 MT with 125 hp and a 1796 cc engine accelerated in 9.0 s at 7.9 l/100 km. A milder 1.7 MT (65 hp) diesel matched the 4.7 l/100 km figure.

3 generation, restyling (2003–2006)

The restyled third-generation Corsa (2003–2006) grew to 24 modifications from 60 to 125 hp. The mass version was the 1.2 MTA (80 hp) with an automated manual, 1229 cc engine, 13.6 s acceleration and 5.3 l/100 km. The 1.8 MT (125 hp) stayed the performance pick with 9.0 s to 100 km/h and 7.5 l/100 km. The 1.3 MT (70 hp) diesel was the economy leader at 4.4 l/100 km, and a 1.7 MT (100 hp) diesel combined 11.5 s acceleration with 4.7 l/100 km.

4 generation (2006–2011)

The fourth-generation Opel Corsa (2006–2011) offered 20 modifications from 60 to 150 hp. The popular version was the 1.3 MT (90 hp) diesel — 1248 cc, 12.7 s to 100 km/h, 4.9 l/100 km. The 1.6 MT (150 hp) with a 1598 cc engine hit 100 km/h in 8.1 s at 7.9 l/100 km. The thriftiest option, the 1.3 MT (75 hp) diesel, needed only 4.5 l/100 km, while the 1.7 MT (125 hp) diesel balanced 10.7 s acceleration with 4.8 l/100 km.

4 generation, restyling 1 (2010–2014)

The first restyling of the fourth generation (2010–2014) brought 23 modifications from 65 to 150 hp. The mass engine was the 1.4 MT (87 hp) — 1398 cc, 12.4 s to 100 km/h, 5.5 l/100 km. The 1.6 MT (150 hp) kept its 8.1 s sprint, and the 1.3 MT diesel with 95 hp stood out with just 3.7 l/100 km. A 1.7 MT (130 hp) diesel offered 10.7 s acceleration at 4.6 l/100 km.

4 generation, restyling 2 (2011–2015)

The second restyling (2011–2015) used a mini body and counted 20 modifications from 65 to 150 hp. The 1.4 MT (87 hp) remained the common version with 12.4 s to 100 km/h and 5.7 l/100 km. The 1.6 MT (150 hp) improved consumption to 7.3 l/100 km while keeping the 8.1 s sprint. The 1.3 MT (95 hp) diesel again returned 3.7 l/100 km, and the 1.3 MT (75 hp) diesel used 4.2 l/100 km.

5 generation (2014–2019)

The fifth-generation Opel Corsa (2014–2019) had 23 modifications from 70 to 150 hp. The mass version was the 1.4 MTA (90 hp) with an automated manual — 13.9 s to 100 km/h and 4.8 l/100 km. The 1.4 MT (150 hp) with a 1364 cc turbo engine sprinted in 8.9 s at just 5.8 l/100 km. The 1.3 MT (95 hp) diesel became the economy record-holder of the whole lineup at 3.3 l/100 km with 11.9 s acceleration.

6 generation (2019–2023)

The sixth generation (2019–2023) is a compact range of just 7 modifications from 75 to 136 hp with manual and automatic gearboxes. The mass version was the 1.5 MT diesel with 102 hp — 10.2 s to 100 km/h and 3.4 l/100 km. The most powerful was the electric AT (136 hp), which accelerated to 100 km/h in 8.1 s.

6 generation, restyling (2023–present)

The current restyled sixth generation (2023–present) offers 9 modifications from 75 to 156 hp. The mass version is the 1.2 Direct Injection Turbo AT (130 hp) — 1199 cc, 8.7 s to 100 km/h, 5.9 l/100 km. The electric AT e 51 kWh delivers 156 hp and an 8.1 s sprint. Two mild hybrids joined in 2024: the 1.2 Turbo Mild Hybrid e-DCT in 100 hp (9.9 s, 4.5 l/100 km) and 145 hp (7.9 s, 4.6 l/100 km) forms.

Which Opel Corsa to buy

For a used purchase, the fourth generation and its restylings (2006–2015) offer the largest pool of manual, front-wheel-drive versions — 63 modifications across three stages — which makes finding parts and a specific engine easier. The fifth generation (2014–2019) is the newest of the pre-electric cars while keeping the same simple FWD layout.

Which Opel Corsa to avoid

The 1.2 AT (45 hp) of the 2nd generation is dominated by its own stablemate: the 1.2 AT (65 hp) has the same automatic gearbox and nearly the same displacement (1199 cc vs 1195 cc) but accelerates in 17.0 s against 22.0 s. Likewise, in the 1st generation the 1.5 MT (50 hp) diesel needs 19.5 s to 100 km/h, while the 1.5 MT (67 hp) diesel returns the identical 5.7 l/100 km and does it in 14.0 s — the 67 hp version is simply better on every listed number.