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Start Saving, Stop Burning With Vauxhall's New Low-Co2 Corsa


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LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – July 15, 2010: On sale now, the new Corsa ecoFLEX is the first Vauxhall to feature Start/Stop technology, enabling the new Euro 5-compliant 1.3 CDTi (75PS) models to achieve 70.6mpg – a near 5mpg, or more than 7 per cent improvement - on the combined cycle.

Compared with the outgoing Euro 4, 1.3 CDTi (75PS) engine, the addition of Start/Stop technology and Euro 5 emissions compliance has brought a 9g/km reduction in CO2emissions, down to 105g, as well as a 20Nm increase in torque to 190Nm. All Start/Stop cars are also fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), which traps harmful particulates.

The principle of Start/Stop is simple: instead of the engine idling at traffic lights or at a level crossing, the engine will automatically stop when the driver engages neutral and releases the clutch pedal. When the traffic lights turn green, the driver simply presses the clutch pedal to re-start the engine, engage first and move away. Naturally, the car’s ventilation, power steering and braking system performance is maintained while the engine is temporarily off.

Drivers who use their cars frequently in town driving, where the Corsa’s Start/Stop function will come in to its own, will see the biggest gains in fuel consumption. With an official urban mpg figure of 58.9mpg, the Corsa ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTi (75PS) Start/Stop is more than 12.5 per cent more economical than the outgoing Euro 4 car without the new technology.

But the package of improvements to Corsa ecoFLEX’s doesn’t end there. To ensure Start/Stop is reliable during the car’s life, an enhanced starter motor is used, along with a high performance battery and Electric Power Management system, for efficient re-starts. An additional water pump keeps the cabin warm in cool weather during the stop phase, and owners have the ability to turn off Start/Stop completely via a dashboard button.

Drivers can even select the level of air conditioning in the cabin while the engine is temporarily turned off. Using technology unique in the industry, drivers can configure the ventilation system to remain off when the engine’s in stop mode, or can pre-set the engine and air conditioning to start when the in-cabin temperature reaches a given point.

The Corsa ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTi (75PS) Start/Stop range is available in all current trims, from S to SXi, with latest prices shown below. Corsa ecoFLEX Start/Stop models add just £260 to the price of a current Euro 5 Corsa ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTi (75PS).