Saturn desperately needs a good small car, but it won’t be based on the European-built Corsa hatchback from General Motors’ Vauxhall subsidiary.

That was the word from the recent British International Motor Show in London, where the global launch of the all-new Corsa was backed by a high-powered visit from GM headquarters by CEO Rick Wagoner and vice chairman Bob Lutz.

GM product czar Lutz said the new Corsa wasn’t engineered with the United States market in mind, so it won’t pass crash tests: “It would take two years and be too expensive, so we’ll wait until the next generation,” says Lutz.

That’s the car being engineered in Korea by a joint Daewoo/Opel team; it won’t be in the market for five years “at the earliest,” Lutz says.

Lutz also took pains to point out that GM already has a top seller in the U.S. small-car market with the Korean-built Chevrolet Aveo. “Other carmakers, like Toyota, have been forced to follow us, but they get the credit,” he chided.

Lutz also took pains to point out that GM already has a top seller in the U.S. small-car market with the Korean-built Chevrolet Aveo. “Other carmakers, like Toyota, have been forced to follow us, but they get the credit,” he chided.

Opel has shifted into top gear with the new Corsa OPC. The Opel Corsa OPC model is the quintessential expression of the Corsa’s dynamic character, with top-level agility and vehicle control promising pure driving fun. Its 1.6-liter turbo engine with 192 bhp accelerates the compact three-door from zero to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds and enables a top speed of 140 mph. The maximum torque of 170 lb-ft, which can be temporarily increased to over 192 lb-ft via an 'overboost' function, is delivered to the front wheels by the standard six-speed transmission. This level of performance provides the newest member of the sporty OPC family with superb propulsion power in all driving situations. The Corsa OPC requires 7.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, a moderate figure in this performance class. It makes its world premiere at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show in early March, shortly before its market launch.

The top-of-the-line Corsa OPC’s look also reflects pure sportiness. The roof spoiler, as well as the powerful front and rear aprons with distinctive gill-like air intakes and outlets make the OPC a real eye-catcher. Elements such as the darkly contrasting diffuser with integrated, centrally located triangular tailpipe and specially designed exterior mirrors are just a few examples of how much attention to detail was put into further developing the Corsa’s bold, sporty character.

The Corsa OPC’s chassis has a unique, even sportier character thanks to extensive modifications. Through intensive tuning drives on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, engineers were able to achieve a sophisticated balance of agile handling and pronounced vehicle control. Key modifications include a stronger rear axle profile and adjusted torsion beam rear axle weld-in angle, new spring/dampener tuning, lowering of the chassis by 0.4 inch and a larger stabilizer. The standard ESP system, which can be deactivated, has also been tuned to the car’s sporty character. The new Corsa OPC comes with 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 R17 tires ex works, while 18-inch rims and size 225 tires are available as an option. The large 16-inch brake system with blue painted brake calipers ensures powerful deceleration: the Corsa OPC boasts internally ventilated, 308 mm front disk brakes and 264 mm disk brakes at the rear.

Sportiness also dominates the Corsa OPC’s cockpit. In addition to the typical OPC door sills, chrome-ringed instruments with red pointers and blue-ringed air vents (also available in silver), the flat-bottomed leather sports steering wheel is especially eye-catching. Also reminiscent of motor sport vehicles, the steering wheel features a blue (or optionally silver) ring at its crown, while the center console in piano lacquer finish and aluminum pedals underline the sporty, high quality ambience. Particularly striking are the newly developed Recaro sports seats with integrated head restraints. The race-car-like seats protect both the driver and front passenger with integrated side airbags - a world premiere for this type of seat.

“The OPC models embody pure sportiness, infusing the brand with emotion and passion. That is why the OPC version fits brilliantly to the new Corsa, which is positioned as a young car offering plenty of fun,” says Alain Visser, Executive Director, European Opel Marketing.