PSA-Owned Vauxhall Has Totally Switched The New Corsa's Chassis

In an effort to avoid paying General Motors a licensing fee to use the next Corsa's chassis, PSA just switched in one of its own with less than two years on the clock before its full launch
PSA-Owned Vauxhall Has Totally Switched The New Corsa's Chassis

The next Vauxhall Corsa has been shifted sideways onto a totally different chassis, it has emerged, with little over a year until the car is actually launched.

Such a shockingly short development programme wouldn’t normally be possible, but PSA is adamant that its own chassis, which is used by the Peugeot 208 and Citroen C3, will be easy to implement beneath a Vauxhall body.

The all-new Corsa was set for a launch this year, but after PSA bought Vauxhall and Opel from General Motors it was decided that PSA wouldn’t take the new GM chassis in order to cut down on licensing payments. Instead, the Corsa’s next big day was put back a year while the engineers figure out how to bolt the touchy-feely bits and the bodywork to the existing supermini platform.

PSA-Owned Vauxhall Has Totally Switched The New Corsa's Chassis

Overall, PSA’s teams will have had less than two years to make the project their own. It will also use PSA engines, namely the efficient turbocharged small-displacement petrols that work so well in the Peugeot and Citroen options you can buy today. Speaking to Autocar about the challenges, the man in charge of Opel and Vauxhall, Michael Lohscheller, said:

“It is a pretty fast development time, but it is not compromised in any way. We have a clear understanding of what we want from the car, what is possible from the platform and how to get there.

“It’s true that we had a version ready to go, and you can’t just stretch a design to fit a new platform. But the teams have done a fantastic job in record time to ensure that the car is on schedule. We started work on the project even as the deal to buy [Vauxhall/Opel] was being agreed and we are all very excited about the car.”

PSA-Owned Vauxhall Has Totally Switched The New Corsa's Chassis

Despite the total chassis shift at late notice, the 2019 Corsa will still be built at the Zaragoza plant in Spain, where it has been since 1982.

Its popularity in the UK has slipped in recent years, falling from second in the overall sales charts to fifth.

Source: Autocar

Comments

Anonymous

I doubt the average customers will notice or care

05/10/2018 - 15:36 |
192 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I miss the Vauxhall Chavalier.

05/10/2018 - 19:24 |
18 | 0
maurotehsilva

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

WHI DIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDI

05/11/2018 - 03:09 |
4 | 4
Anonymous

Any changes that expunge General Motors parts are good changes. 👍

05/10/2018 - 15:42 |
32 | 10
HF_Martini6

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I don’t think so, they just substituted Parts made from rusty scrap metal and Duct Tape for Parts made of Baguette and Snail crap

05/11/2018 - 11:20 |
8 | 0
Peanut_guy

I hope they will keep the 1.4 turno engine from the Corsa. A 100 bhp petrol good for 170 bhp with a simple remap. With a 6 speed manual it’s the perfect first car !

05/10/2018 - 16:17 |
20 | 0

Ideal with a black box, so you can’t go anymore than 20 most of the time

05/10/2018 - 16:24 |
2 | 0
Sir Wafel (WhyBeAre of CT) (Multipla Squad) (propane)

In reply to by Peanut_guy

I don’t think having 170hp in such a small car is a good idea for a first car…

05/11/2018 - 13:46 |
2 | 0
slevo beavo

Finally a Corsa that’s could actually have a fun adjustable chassis!!!

05/10/2018 - 17:36 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

I think opel are basically killing themselves with such decission theyll gonna have to rush it and thats never a good idea

05/10/2018 - 19:12 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

They’ll just lengthen the original body by about an inch to make it fit the PSA chassis, the changes will be minor at worst

05/11/2018 - 00:04 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

05/11/2018 - 00:01 |
0 | 0
suchdoge

Who is PSA?

05/11/2018 - 12:20 |
0 | 0

Peugeot Citroen automobiles or something, don’t question the acronym

05/11/2018 - 12:29 |
2 | 0

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