New small Vauxhalls due by end of 2014
* Set to rival Citroen C1 and Hyundai i10
* Replacement for Corsa and Meriva also due
Vauxhall is set to expand its small car offering by the end of 2014 with a new Corsa and an all-new budget-priced city car. A replacement for the Meriva small MPV will also arrive shortly afterwards.
The next Corsa will be a heavily revised version of the current car. According to sources at the highest level it will be given a new look and be powered by the company's latest generation of engines including the forthcoming three-cylinder turbo petrol engines. It's also expected to get quality upgrades.
Vauxhall's design team is expected to give the new supermini a look related to the upmarket Adam city car, including the same treatment for the front end. It's also likely to share some interior features, such as the infotainment system, which has the ability to download apps.
It will also have substantial technical changes, designed to improve ride and handling, while the new engines will bring improved economy and lower emissions.
The new city car is expected to arrive at the beginning of 2015 and will start from around 7000, which will make it a strong rival for the Citroen C1, Hyundai i10 and Peugeot 107. It's also likely to be available with both three- and five-door bodystyles.
This new entrant will share some components with the next-generation Chevrolet Spark and is currently being designed in GM's global R and D centre in Korea. Like the Corsa, three-cylinder petrol engines will form the mainstay of the range.
Also coming will be the new Corsa-based Meriva, which will benefit from the same improvements as the supermini. Although a source admitted to What Car? that the company was still undecided whether the next Meriva would have the same opposing door arrangement as found on the current car.
