Sector: Supermini Price: €11,980-€19,440 Fuel: 3.2–6.0l/100km CO2: 85–140g/km

32 years on and almost 12 million sold means that the new Opel Corsa has quite a reputation to live up to. The current model is the fourth best selling small car in Western Europe, reaching second place in both Germany and the UK. Despite the similar appearance to the current model, the fifth generation car does not share a single body panel with the outgoing model. At the same time, the new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that made its debut in the Adam not long ago will now also arrive under a Corsa bonnet.

New buyers can expect a completely revised chassis, featuring new suspension, a new steering system and revised electric power steering. City mode power steering makes parking far easier by increasing power assistance at low speeds.

Inside, the Intellilink infotainment system first seen in the Adam will be an option. It features a seven-inch colour touchscreen and the system is compatible with both Apple and Android devices, using apps for navigation, radio and podcasts. Apple iOS devices offer Siri Eyes Free voice control, which can read SMS text messages aloud or accept dictation for SMS and email messages.

The complete engine range has been updated to be Euro 6 compatible. Both 90hp and 115hp variants of the three-cylinder petrol engines (100–117g/km CO2) drive through a new six-speed gearbox, using a low-friction design for slicker gear changes. Other petrol options include 1.2-litre 70hp (124–126g/km CO2) and 1.4-litre 90hp engines (114–122g/km CO2), as well as the new 1.4-litre 100hp turbocharged engine delivering 200Nm of torque (119–123g/km CO2). A five-speed manual transmission is standard apart from the 1.4-litre 100hp engine, which gets a six-speed transmission.

Diesel power comes from two versions of the Opel 1.3-litre common-rail diesel producing 75hp and 95hp (85–100g/km CO2). Both are fitted with five-speed gearboxes. There’s also a choice of revised automated Easytronic transmission or a fully automatic six-speed transmission with the 90hp 1.4-litre petrol engine (139–140g/km CO2). Both diesels are equipped with ecoFLEX emissions reducing technologies including engine stop and start, as are the 1.4-litre 90hp and 100hp petrol engines.

The interior finish is better than anything you will have seen on a Corsa before – it all feels very well assembled with no apparent squeaks or rattles. Once on the road, the car offers ride comfort and handling that is also measurably better than any previous Corsa. It all helps to raise the Corsa up to compete with the B-segment class leaders – Ford Fiesta and the VW Polo.

If you haven’t experienced the three-cylinder petrol engines before, you will be in for a treat. The smoothness, performance and low noise levels mask the fact that there are only three pistons pumping up and down, until higher in the rev range. Again it is easily the equal of the Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost and Renault three-cylinder engines. The 1.4-litre engine available at launch didn’t seem as smooth by comparison and we have yet to drive the diesels, likely to have strong fleet appeal.

Verdict:

Without a doubt the best Corsa yet, able to compete with the best in class. New three-cylinder petrol engine is impressive, while build quality is what it needs to be.