Electric Vauxhall Corsa GSe focuses on fun for EV buyers

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【Summary】Vauxhall is launching a new all-electric Corsa GSe model, joining the GSe range of performance vehicles. The Corsa GSe will feature unique design elements and is expected to have a 154bhp electric motor powered by a 51kWh battery. It will have stiffer springs, a lower ride height, and recalibrated steering. The price is estimated to be over £40,000. Competitors include the Abarth 500e, Cupra Born, MG4 XPower, and the upcoming MINI Cooper.

FutureCar Staff Oct 30, 2023 4:21 PM PT

Electric Vauxhall Corsa GSe focuses on fun for EV buyers

Vauxhall's sporty VXR sub-brand may have been quietly discontinued in 2017, but the British firm is now focusing on building a range of performance models under the GSe moniker. The next model to receive the GSe treatment will be the Corsa supermini, according to Auto Express.

The GSe badge originally stood for Grand Sport Einspritzung, which translates from German as Grand Sport Injection, and was featured on the Commodore GS/E and Monza GSE models in the seventies and eighties. However, it now stands for Grand Sport Electric.

The Corsa will be Vauxhall's first pure-electric GSe model, following in the footsteps of the plug-in hybrid Astra GSe hatchback and Grandland GSe SUV models. These cars combine a turbocharged petrol engine with electric motors, resulting in an impressive output of up to 296bhp.

An exclusive image reveals the potential appearance of the upcoming Corsa GSe. Similar to its GSe siblings, the hot Corsa is expected to feature unique wheels and plenty of gloss-black detailing.

While the Astra GSe stands out with contrasting paint, there's a possibility that the Corsa GSe may have individual bumper inserts and a contrasting roof to differentiate itself from other models in the range.

Similar to the Astra, it is unlikely that Vauxhall will equip the Corsa GSe with a more powerful motor for increased straight-line speed. Instead, the car is expected to utilize the larger 51kWh battery found in higher-spec versions of the recently facelifted Corsa Electric. This setup will deliver 154bhp to the front wheels, resulting in a 0-62mph time of approximately eight seconds. However, there may be upgrades to the springs, ride height, and steering calibration to justify the GSe's higher price tag.

If the Corsa GSe follows the pricing of the current flagship Ultimate variant of the Corsa Electric, which costs £38,585, it could potentially exceed the £40,000 mark when it becomes available in 2024. Competitors for the Vauxhall hot hatch will include the Abarth 500e, the larger Cupra Born and MG4 XPower, as well as the highly anticipated MINI Cooper.

For a list of the best electric cars currently on sale, click here.