The Evolution of Vauxhall Corsa: From Classic to Modern

Certain makes and models of car take on a life beyond the miles they do. Some become iconic, and those that do tend to do so for good reason.

We at Thurlow Nunn have worked with Vauxhall for many years, and have seen the evolution of this leading car manufacturer over time. And one car stands out as a particular stalwart from Vauxhall – the Vauxhall Corsa.

This popular and enduring model has developed a high level of recognition and acclaim within the automotive industry. So in this blog, we will explore the Vauxhall Corsa’s history and how this model has evolved to become the acclaimed Vauxhall car it is today.
The Classic Era

The car that we know as the Vauxhall Corsa today can trace its roots back to Vauxhall’s first supermini offering. Launched in 1982, the Vauxhall Nova was an early iteration of what would become the Corsa, and was a common sight on British roads throughout the 1980s.

It wasn’t until 1993 that the Vauxhall Corsa was first launched, with the aim of appealing to a broader audience. The Corsa B featured a rounder, softer design than the Nova, and included ‘saucer-eye’ headlamps to add to the gentler aesthetics of the model.

The Corsa B also marked a more spacious vehicle for Vauxhall, while enhanced safety features like airbags in the front of the car, ABS braking, and side impact protection all supported an improved driver and passenger experience.

The early Corsa’s petrol GSi model came with 16 valves, while the diesel engine version was turbo-charged.

Add to this the enhanced technology, such as a tape player (that’s right!), and the Corsa B was a very positive addition to the Vauxhall range of vehicles at the time.

The Evolution Begins

The Corsa B took centre stage from 1993 until 2000, when the Corsa C was introduced. The styling was not too far removed from the tried and tested designs seen with the Corsa B, but the Corsa C was longer, had a wider stance and a longer wheelbase. This helped add even more space and comfort for passengers and drivers alike.

The Corsa C also brought a more powerful engine into the fold, as well as lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption. This was thanks to the four-valve ECOTEC petrol or direct-injection turbo diesel engine that powered these cars.

An additional element of the Corsa C, which was produced between 2000 and 2006, was the fully galvanised body. This brought a new aesthetic quality to the Corsa range.

Then, between 2006 and 2014, the Corsa D started to make waves. The design of the three and five door models shifted here, as the three door design harked back to the original sporty design of the Vauxhall Nova, while the five door was a spacious, family-oriented model.

Then came the Corsa E, which was the new Corsa between 2014 and 2019. This model is where Vauxhall started to bring an exceptional range of technological innovations into the Corsa collection. Elements like a heated steering wheel, heated seats and automatic climate control were all well received by buyers.

The Corsa E also came with a front camera with sensors, as well as traffic sign recognition and lane keep assist. Infotainment also reached new heights in the Corsa E, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available, while a seven-inch touch screen came as standard.