9-June-2020 – By Guillaume Séguin
Now that the showrooms are reopening, newly launched EVs are landing and the awaited Opel Corsa-e is finally available in Ireland.
This car is built on the same plateform as the Peugeot e-208 and DS 3 Crossback E-tense. It is identical in terms of technical specifications : A 100kW motor (136hp) powered by a 50kWh (around 45kwh useable) battery pack. Compared to the ICE version, the practicality isn’t affected, same boot size and interior space. The only difference is that you will not be able to order the optional spare wheel.
Two trim levels are offered and they are pretty well equipped, with no options.
The “base” Corsa-e SC includes a 7-inch colour touchscreen with multimedia Navi infotainment system, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic headlight control, automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, climate control, alectric parking brake, rear parking distance sensors, keyless start, Alarm, front and rear electric windows and 16-inch bi-colour alloy wheels. Nothing essential is missing.
If you want more luxury, for an extra €3,462, you can get the Corsa-e Elite. It includes a multimedia Navi Pro infotainment system on a bigger 10-inch colour touchscreen, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, heated front seats
and steering wheel, driver’s and front passenger’s seat height adjuster, centre armrest with storage, a fabric/premium leather effect seat trim, keyless open and start, larger 17-inch bi-colour alloy wheels, IntelliLux LED® Matrix headlights, panoramic rear-view camera, front parking distance sensors, electrically folding door mirrors, black roof and A-pillars, high gloss black B-pillars and roof spoiler, dark-tinted rear windows, side blind spot alert and flank guard and chrome-effect lower side window trim.
Compared to the competition, Peugeot e-208 and Renault Zoé, it is pretty well positioned : The Zoé starts at €26,990 with a bigger battery, but doesn’t have as much kit. The Peugeot e-208 prices are similar but the Opel offers a bit more. The smaller Mini Hatch Cooper SE can compare in terms of price but its battery pack is much smaller returning just 232km WLTP range.
Opel Corsa-e SC – €27,338
Opel Corsa-e Elite – €30,800
Prices includes VRT relief, SEAI grant and exclude metallic paint and delivery charges.