Opel Corsa Lite returns to Mzansi

Opel announced on Friday that its iconic Corsa Lite nameplate is making a comeback. 

First launched in 1996 as a South African-specific model, the Corsa Lite became a smash hit thanks to its attainable price and peppy performance. Despite being discontinued in 2007, Opel has decided to reintroduce the nameplate to its current-generation Corsa.

The new model comes with a 1.2l, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine making 74kW and 205Nm of torque, a quantum leap over the 65kW/112Nm made by its four-cylinder predecessor. This is sent to the front wheels via six-speed manual transmission. These respectable figures are aided by a slippery body shell that Opel says has a drag coefficient of 0.29Cd. This helps culminate in combined fuel consumption of 5.7l/100km.

While its forebear was a spartan little car, the new Corsa Lite comes fitted with a range of luxuries, including 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, front electric windows, tyre pressure monitoring, active lane-keep assist and LED headlights. Opel's latest IntelliLink infotainment system is also standard and accessible via a seven-inch touchscreen.

Priced at R349,900 (including a five-year/120,000km warranty and three-year/45,000km service plan) it's debatable whether the new Corsa Lite can be classified as truly affordable. However, for automotive nostalgists, it certainly does hold some appeal.