OPEL CORSA
Vehicle type: Light car. Timing: Q3
The fourth-generation Corsa is the successor to the vehicle previously sold in Australia as the Holden XC Barina. Although brand new to Australia, the Corsa D (as it is known) has been available in Europe since 2006. It will come to Australia in three- and five-door hatchback body styles, and should be priced to compete with the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta and the Mazda2 (approximately $16,000-$24,000). Powered by a naturally aspirated 74kW/130Nm 1.4-litre petrol engine and teamed with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission, the Corsa should return combined cycle fuel consumption of around 6.0-6.5 litres per 100km.
OPEL ASTRA
Vehicle type: Small car. Timing: Q3
The popular Astra nameplate returns to Australia in 2012 in five-door hatch and Sports Tourer wagon body styles. The fully turbocharged powertrain range will comprise a 103kW/200Nm 1.4-litre petrol (known as the 1.4 iTi in the Holden Cruze), a 132kW/230Nm 1.6-litre petrol and a 121kW/350Nm 2.0-litre diesel. Combined cycle fuel consumption should range between 5.5L/100km and 7.0L/100km under Australian standards. Expect prices to mirror the Volkswagen Golf’s, starting in the low-$20,000s and peaking around the mid-$30,000s.
OPEL INSIGNIA
Vehicle type: Medium car. Timing: Q3
The medium-large Insignia is heading to Australia in four-door sedan and Sports Tourer wagon body styles. It will go head-to-head with the Ford Mondeo, Mazda6, and Hyundai’s i40/i45 duo, with prices expected start in the low-$30,000s to the mid-$40,000. The stylish Insignia is also certain to steal sales from the similarly sized locally built Holden Commodore. Powering the Insignia will be a 162kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a 118kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel. The petrol will be one of the more powerful medium cars in Australia while diesel promises to use fuel at around 6.5L/100km combined.
