GM Motor India Limited introduced its new variant corsa Sail 1.4 on India Road. The Sail is a mild development of the European Opel Corsa hatchback and although modified for tough markets like Brazil and India. The Corsa feels extremely tough, the paint has a nice gloss to it and it exudes an expensive feel. Under the curvy skin, it has a tough suspension too with anti-roll bars at both ends.

 

It has a tough suspension and anti-roll bars at both ends, with decent safety measures and an expensive feel to it. The Corsa Sail has decent interior space, with comfortable front seats and a robust feel, but rear seats are restricted. The plastics and ergonomics are below par, and the cramped driver’s footwell can be most uncomfortable. Luggage space is decent, and the split seats give it some versatility, but the interior doesn’t really have the glitter of a prestige car. Plastic quality is inconsistent: some bits, like the steering wheel, feel superb, but other bits, like the power window switches, feel seriously downmarket.

 

Luggage space is the best though and the 60:40 rear seat split gives it matchless load-carrying versatility. You can fold a seat down, making airport pick-ups and golf games with friends manageable. Equipment levels on the 1.4 are reasonable with the recent inclusion of a better-looking instrument cluster with an electronic odometer as standard.

 

The 88bhp 1.4 is quite swift, but never feels so, with slow responses, a harsh engine note at the red line and a dull, notchy gearshift; short gearing means it should be good in the city, but it actually feels best while cruising at three-digit speeds. Fuel economy, at 9.0 and 13.8kpl, is average.

 

The steering could have been better though, as it is rather lifeless, and quite heavy at urban speeds. This is not the liveliest car in the city — visibility is good, but the heavy steering, fairly large size and wide turning circle make it cumbersome. However, the heavy steering and weight mean that the Sail is exceptionally stable at high speeds, more a car for Expressway cruising than for the ghats. The brakes are good but somewhat grabby, the pedals rather wooden, none of which make this a very involving car to drive. The suspension is amazingly quiet and glides over rough patches filtering out the disturbances with assurance before they reach the passengers. This magic carpet ride is possibly the Corsa’s biggest strength. The comfort-oriented dynamics of the Corsa compromise on its agility.

Filed under: Opel Cars in India