Motoring: Exit the Nova, enter the Corsa

VAUXHALL'S new small car, the Corsa, follows the softer, friendlier design trend exemplified by Nissan's Micra.

The Corsa, which replaces the Nova in April, comes in two styles: a 'fun' three-door and a 'functional' five-door hatch, the latter with a more vertical tailgate to maximise interior space. It also boasts side-impact protection beams, height-adjustable front and rear seat belts and, later this year, an optional driver's airbag.

Engines include a fuel-injected 1.2-litre (said to be 10 per cent more economical than the outgoing 1.2 Nova), two fuel-injected 1.4 units, a 1.5 diesel and 1.5 turbo-diesel. A 109bhp, 1.6-litre 16-valve version goes on sale in the summer.

The Corsa is roomier than its predecessor as well as being substantially prettier. But not everyone at Vauxhall is sure about the name (the old Nova is known as the Corsa in other European markets), which was initially rejected because of its 'coarser' association.

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