Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Corsa Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Corsa has a 1796cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Corsa shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corsa's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1085 kgs (2392 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Corsa shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 123 bhp (91 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 122 lb-ft (165.4 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 BMW 3 Series 328i Saloon E46 (138.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa.

The Vauxhall-Opel Corsa has a Power to weight ratio of 113.3 bhp per ton and 112.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Corsa competing with the 1998 BMW 3 Series 328i Saloon E46 (138.3 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Audi A4 2.0T FSI (138.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa generating around 112.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (137.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (137.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corsa and the 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 Lusso

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.67 secs @ 82.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 Lusso (16.60 secs), the 1981 Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen (16.61 secs), and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (16.61 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Corsa equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Corsa Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison