In the ‘hot hatches’ category at Stellantis, the Opel Corsa GSE will join the Lancia Ypsilon HF and the Peugeot e-208 GTI in October, when it celebrates its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show. It will also be the smaller brother of the Mokka GSE in the Opel portfolio.

The Corsa GSE will use the same drivetrain as the above-mentioned sister cars, meaning that the electric motor will deliver 207 kW/281 hp and 345 Nm of torque. This allows the little hatchback to sprint to 100 kph in just 5.5 seconds, while the top speed is regulated at 180 kph.

Fairly discrete, with GSE accents

The Corsa GSE for the road won’t have the overly developed spoilers of the 800 hp strong Vision GSE Concept, but will look sporty without big addenda. The slightly enlarged wheel arches house 18-inch wheels with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires on them. The more powerful Alcon brakes are highlighted by the yellow brake calipers, and the sports suspension sits lower to the road.

The interior evokes Opel’s sporty yellow/grey past, with performance seats in a grey/yellow diamond pattern and an Alcantara steering wheel. The digital dashboard also provides specific performance data, such as g-forces.

GSi reminiscence

Opel likes to draw a link with the once very popular Corsa GSi from the first (A) generation. To save energy from the 54 kWh (51 kWh net)battery, the Corsa GSE driver can choose between three driving modes: ‘Sport’ provides the best performance and is also calibrated to have a go on a race circuit, ‘Normal’ delivers 170 kW/231 pk for more restrained but still sporty driving, ‘Eco’ priroitizes efficiency and limits top speed to 150 kph.

The chassis of this front-wheel-drive hot hatch features a Torsen multiplate locking differential, a lowered suspension with adapted anti-roll bars and dampers, and 4-piston brake calipers. Electric power can be tapped from the bi-directional onboard charger (V2L). Prices will be released in October, when the Corsa GSE is officially unveiled in Paris.