Opel appears to be undertaking a design update for this new arrival.

REVISION of the look of the latest small car to reach New Zealand appears to be under way, with intent to lend it the same distinctive and more modern look that comes with a larger sibling that’s also just arrived.

News about a facelift being undertaken for the Opel Corsa comes just a fortnight after Kiwi media were introduced to the current generation of that model, and the next-size-up Mokka.

The styling refresh, which is tipped to go into production next year, addresses the disparity in look between those cars in their current states; evident in the photo above which shows both cars, Mokka being on the left.

Corsa at present quite obviously having a different frontal look to the Mokka is a result of the production timeline.

Though it is brand-new in NZ, the baby of Opel New Zealand’s line-up is well-established in Europe and in the United Kingdom (where it sells as a Vauxhall) as it launched in 2019.

It was the first all-new Opel/Vauxhall produced after General Motors sold those brands to the PSA Group, parent of Peugeot and Citroen, which has since become immersed in the Stellantis conglomerate that also runs Fiat, RAM and Jeep, plus others. 

Corsa and Mokka base on a common platform, developed by PSA, and use the French operation’s drivetrains as well.

After it got Corsa into production, PSA determined to develop a whole new styling signature for Opel – that’s the smart sharp-edged Vizor headlight and grille that makes Mokka such a standout.  

The Opel Grandland sports utility wagon and Astra hatch that arrive in NZ next year also have Vizor styling. 

European and UK publications believe the updated Corsa will also take on the same design language – they say that’s why the examples pictured here are so heavily disguised around the front.

There’s also conjecture the interior of the refreshed Corsa could see a hefty update in terms of technology. There’s talk a dual 10-inch touchscreen set up seen on the Astra will also come to the Corsa. 

 Common consensus is that the engine lineup of the Corsa is unlikely to be altered, so the 1.2-litre Puretech petrol and fully electric drivetrains that come to the current car in NZ trim will remain unaltered, though range of the latter might improve.