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The Trajectory Of The Chevrolet Agile, From Its Controversial Conception And Pejorative Nicknames Like Corsa Headlight Car To Its Second Life As A Pragmatic And Accessible Option In The Used Market In Brazil
Understand the saga of the Corsa headlight car, from its conception, the criticisms it faced, to its current position as a pragmatic purchase for many Brazilians.
The Chevrolet Agile is a paradox in the Brazilian automotive market. Launched in 2009, it divided opinions due to its controversial design, but today it finds a new audience as a spacious and affordable used car. Its story illustrates how the perception of a vehicle can transform drastically over time.
The Viva Project And The Old Platform That Generated The Corsa Headlight Car
The Chevrolet Agile was born from the “Viva Project”, an initiative by General Motors for South America. Developed in Brazil and manufactured in Argentina, its goal was to compete with models like the Volkswagen Fox. The first glimpse of the project was the Chevrolet GPiX concept, from 2008.
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However, the choice of its platform was a crucial and problematic point. The Agile was built on the Opel Corsa B architecture, a project from the early 1990s. Although this decision reduced costs, it imposed significant limitations on design and safety engineering, which led to criticisms that the car was a “hack job”.
The Design That Divided Opinions, Launch, Criticisms And The Hack Job Stigma
The launch of the Agile in 2009 was marked by an avalanche of criticisms of its design. The front end was the most controversial point, with large headlights positioned at a high level, quickly earning it the nickname Corsa headlight car. The prominent grille and tall, narrow proportions were considered disproportionate by many.
The interior also did not escape scrutiny, with extensive use of hard plastics and a finish that, despite some attempts at refinement, conveyed a sense of simplicity. The specialized press and the general public spared no criticism, solidifying the negative image of the model.
What The Agile Offered Under The Hood And Inside?
The heart of the Agile was the known 1.4 8v Econo.Flex engine, which delivered 102 hp with ethanol. The performance was adequate for the segment, but the engine also had chronic problems, such as ignition coil failures. The standard transmission was a five-speed manual, with the option of the Easytronic automated transmission, which received criticisms for its hesitant operation and low reliability.
In 2013, as the 2014 line, the Agile underwent a facelift. The front received sharper headlights and a new grille. The interior gained a new multifunction steering wheel in the LTZ version. The mechanics were also improved with a new generation of the manual and Easytronic transmissions, the latter featuring “paddle shifts”.
The Agile’s Failure In Latin NCAP Crash Tests
One of the darkest chapters in the Agile’s history was its performance in safety tests. In 2013, Latin NCAP evaluated the model (in its basic version, without airbags) and the result was alarming: zero stars for adult occupant protection.
The body structure was considered unstable and unable to withstand additional loads after the impact. Protection for the driver’s head and chest was rated poor and weak, respectively. Even the later versions, with standard airbags and ABS, maintained the same fragile structure.
The Second Life Of The Agile As A Spacious Bargain
The Agile’s fate as a new car was sealed with the launch of the Chevrolet Onix in 2012, a more modern and successful project that replaced it in 2016. However, the Agile found a new life in the used market.
Its strong depreciation made it accessible. Today, models from 2010 to 2014 can be found starting at R$ 26,000. Its strengths as a used car are the low price, good interior space, and 327-liter trunk, one of the largest in its category at the time. For the buyer who prioritizes space and a good equipment package (in LTZ versions) for a contained cost, the manual Agile became a pragmatic option, despite its controversial design and safety limitations.
A matéria começou bem, mencionou o projeto Viva e mencionou a sua plataforma.
Os poréns começa exatamente na plataforma (GM4200)… O Corsa B, lançado em 1992 na Europa e 1994 no Brasil, aproveitava a plataforma do Corsa A, lançado em 1983 na Europa e nunca lançado no Brasil. Essa plataforma, era tão velha quanto o Gol BX, de 1981. Sendo que a Chevrolet tinha o Corsa C e sua plataforma Gamma (GM4300)!
Posteriormente, em 2011 a Chevrolet lançou a Montana. Os retrocessos do projetos ficaram mais evidentes em perceber que a picape havia adotado, a mesma plataforma da antiga picape Corsa, lançada em 1995 em nosso mercado.
Outro deslize, não exclusivo dessa matéria, é adotar o Onix como substituto para o Agile.
Na verdade, o Onix substituiu o Corsa, que saiu de linha em 2012 para o Onix entrar em 2013. O Agile, a própria matéria mencionou o correto… Veio para competir com o VW Fox. Agile e Fox eram de um segmento específico! O Agile começou em um segmento praticamente não explorado pelas montadoras (excessão ao Fox), em 2009 até 2016. Note que em 2016, por causa das novas leis de emissões de poluentes, além das questões políticas da época, saíram de linha vários projetos antigos… Na Chevrolet foram o Agile, Celta e Classic. Na Fiat foram o Siena EL e Palio Fire, fora outros…
Só para constar: Lembro do lançamento do Agile, a Quatro Rodas comparou o mesmo com a Meriva… Saiu vencedor!
A Quatro Rodas é a revista que comparou Civic vs Vectra vs Marea e deram a vitória para a bomba!
Cada coisa…