Vauxhall Nova van 1.2 (52 Hp)


Overall Rating

6.2 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 2.5 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 2.0 / 5
Comfort 2.5 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Vauxhall Nova:

The Opel Corsa is a supermini car manufactured and marketed by Opel since 1982. The car is known as the Vauxhall Corsa in the United Kingdom. Before General Motors sold Opel and Vauxhall to PSA Group in 2017, the Corsa was also rebadged under the Chevrolet, Holden and Buick brands.
The Corsa was once the best-selling car in the world in 1998, recording 910,839 sales. At that time, the Corsa was assembled on four continents, marketed under five different marques and offered in five body styles. By 2007, over 18 million Corsas had been sold globally....(Read more on Wikipedia)

van Overview:

Vauxhall Nova (van). With 88 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~8.3 l/100km). Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 2 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Vauxhall Nova Van was produced before the establishment of Euro NCAP testing in 1997. As such, it lacks modern safety features like airbags, ABS, or advanced crumple zones, reflecting the safety standards of its era.

1.2 (52 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

With 52 hp and 88 Nm of torque, this 1.2-liter petrol engine offers very modest performance. It's adequate for light city driving and short urban deliveries but struggles with heavier loads or highway speeds.

Fuel Economy

The urban fuel consumption of 8.3 l/100 km (approx. 34 MPG) is reasonable for a carburetted engine of its time, especially for a light commercial vehicle. It's an economical choice for local use.

Best Use Case: City / Light Urban Delivery

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Compact size for urban maneuverability
  • • Low running costs (for its era)
  • • Simple and robust mechanicals, easy to maintain
  • • Practical and spacious load area for its class
  • • Good value as a basic work vehicle

Cons:

  • • Very basic safety features (predates modern standards)
  • • Underpowered engines, especially with loads
  • • Limited comfort and refinement
  • • Dated interior and technology
  • • Prone to rust in older models

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(CC: 1989 - 1993).

General:
Brand:Vauxhall
Model:Nova
Generation:van
Modification (Engine):1.2 (52 Hp)
Start of production:1990
End of production:1993
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Hatchback
Seats:2
Doors:3-5
Engine:
Power:52 Hp Same horsepower
Power per litre:43.5 Hp/l [Same length.]
Torque:88 Nm @ 2400 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:C12NZ More details about the engine C12NZ
Engine displacement:1196
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:OHC
Engine oil capacity:3 l
Coolant:6.1 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:77.8 mm mm
Piston Stroke:62.9 mm mm
Compression ratio:9.2:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:8.3 l/100 km
Space:
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:1150 l
Fuel tank capacity:42 l
Size:
Length:3622 mm mm [Same length.]
Width:1540 mm mm [5mm more]
Height:1365 mm mm [1mm more]
Wheelbase:2343 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1320 mm
Rear (Back) track:1300 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):9.4 m [above average]
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Tires size165/65 R14
Wheel rims size4.5J x 14

Your first impression of the Vauxhall Nova in one word? Go!