http://motoring.iafrica.com/roadtest/906748.htmlThe Opel Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition.
Is the regular Opel Corsa OPC not quite hard-core enough for you? Ryan Bubear drives the Opel Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition...
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Special edition versions of existing models usually induce more yawns than a bunch of jet-lagged insomniacs indulging in a turkey-eating marathon. Why? Well, these "limited production" vehicles are typically nothing more than the bog-standard model, with the addition of an often-tasteless sticker or two.
But not the Opel Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition. No, this tasty little hot hatch boasts a number of choice mechanical upgrades over the already feisty standard OPC. And, of course, a few stickers of its own.
Thing is, it's taken a relative age to reach our shores. This special edition — which is based on the aging Corsa OPC — launched internationally in 2011, but only arrived in South Africa late in 2013. And, to make matters worse, just 65 examples of the extra-spicy B-segment hatch were set aside for our market.
Still, the Nurburgring Edition (no prizes for guessing on which German circuit it earned its stripes) may just have been worth the wait.
What sets its apart from the common-or-garden Corsa OPC? Well, the first thing you're likely to notice is the exclusive body colour — either "Grasshopper" green or "Henna" red. Then there's the 18-inch high-gloss grey alloys wrapped in low-profile rubber, proudly filling the arches.
Further visual treats include a front spoiler lip (which counts steep driveways and evil speed-bumps amongst its worst enemies) and a new stainless steel exhaust system, culminating in purposeful dual-exit tailpipes rather than the standard OPC's single, triangular central-exit pipe. Oh, and the B-pillars sport Nurburgring logos. Overall, it's anything but subtle.
So, that's aesthetics taken care of, but what about the mechanical upgrades? Here's where it gets really interesting. Some under-bonnet fettling from the clever folks at the Opel Performance Centre sees the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine's peak power climb 13kW to 154kW at 5850rpm — which is plenty in a diminutive, lightweight hatchback. Peak torque, too, rises appreciably to 250Nm, with a healthy 280Nm briefly available on overboost.
It's this hefty slab of torque — available between 2250rpm and 5850rpm — that allows the special edition to pull strongly with very little effort from the right foot, and often without the need to drop a gear. This makes the three-door 'Ring Edition particularly adept at fuss-free overtaking.
But it's the type of car that urges you to change down anyway, even when it's not strictly required — it has a tendency to coax out the inner hooligan. However, while the soundtrack certainly is sporty, a slightly more aggressive exhaust note would have better suited the vehicle's extravagant styling. And the six-speed transmission's shift action could also have done with a little refining.
Still, the performance figures tell quite a story: the Nurburgring Edition's zero to 100km/h dash takes a mere 6.8 seconds — or 0.4 seconds faster than the standard OPC — while the 1598cc forced-induction four-potter now tops out at 230km/h. The claimed combined fuel economy, meanwhile, matches the OPC at 7.6 litres per 100km. For the record, I returned a wallet-emptying final figure of 11.2, which translates into a mere 400km from a brimmed 45-litre tank. Ouch.
But the Opel Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition isn't the type of car one should enlist as a daily driver. No, this pint-sized blaster is better suited to the role of weekend car, partly because of its penchant for excessive consumption of fuel, but mainly because of its suspension. You see, it features a ride drop of a further 20mm over the OPC, as well as sporty Bilstein dampers and springs.
The result is a noticeably firmer ride — it was honed on a racetrack, after all — and a certain crashiness over poorly maintained surfaces that makes travelling with anything even approaching a full bladder absolutely torturous. But, of course, this is a compromise worth living with if you often tackle smooth-surfaced stretches of twisty tarmac. Indeed, the 'Ring Edition boasts a mechanical, multi-plate limited-slip differential on the front axle, helping to transfer all of that extra grunt through the front wheels to the road with as little slip as possible.
The system is highly effective — it's unusually difficult to induce wheel-spin — and even necessitated the recalibration of the standard OPC's traction control and ESP programmes. There's still a dash of torque steer, but nothing that the average driver can't handle. Through the bends, the Nurburgring Edition just grips and grips, which makes for entertaining driving. Where you point it, it goes — it's that stable. Also part of the upgrade is the special lightweight Brembo front braking system, complete with high-performance brake linings.
Inside, the Nurburgring Edition boasts branded sill plates and embossed logos on the seats. There's also white stitching on the figure-hugging Recaros, the rear seats, handbrake and gearshifter. Automatic headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, heated front seats, electro-chromatic rear-view mirror and climate control are further upgrades. While the equipment level is pleasingly high, there's no escaping the fact that the cabin is rather dated when compared to the cockpits of more contemporary rivals.
With the new Clio RS having seemingly gone a little soft — it now features five doors and bizarrely can't be had with a manual gearbox — the Opel Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition is about as extreme as B-segment hot hatches currently get. It's genuinely quick, looks the part and loves nothing more than being chucked around corners.
Sure, it's a little long in the tooth, but which special edition isn't? More worrying is just how much the price will make your eyes water. At R343 200, the Nurburgring Edition commands a considerable R55 000 premium over the OPC.
Is it really R55k better than the "ordinary" OPC? That's certainly debatable, although it doesn't really matter — you'll struggle to find one since pretty much every example has already been snapped up.
Specs and pricing:
Power
Engine: 1598cc four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Power: 154kW at 5850rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 2250rpm to 5850rpm (280Nm on overboost)
Economy
Fuel economy (claimed): 7.6 litres per 100km
Fuel tank size: 45 litres
Space
Luggage compartment: 285 litres
Tyre Size
225/35 R18 (alloys)
Price (including VAT and CO2 tax):
Opel Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition: R343 200
Included
Five-year or 120 000km warranty and three-year or 60 000km service plan (intervals of 15 000km).
