Vauxhall Announces the Return of the hot Hatch with the Corsa GSE

The U.K.’s best selling car, the Vauxhall Corsa, is about to get a long awaited hot hatch version with the return of another GSE.

But, like the hot Mokka GSE, this is not a trimline - it’s a heavily breathed on performance hatchback harking back to the hot hatch days in the 80’s and 90’s when every manufacturer had a hot version of their small hatchbacks.
This is a segment that owes everything to Volkswagen when it launched the Golf GTi 50 years ago. You can read about that legacy story here.

Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo Concept Rendering

Vauxhall hasn’t released any stats or specs for this car, but we can look to the Mokka GSE for hints as to what we can anticipate as it shares the same electric underpinnings.
That means the Corsa GSE is an electric car only and there are no suggestions of a hot petrol version from Vauxhall.

The Mokka GSE, priced from £36,995 puts out a huge 281 bhp and promises a WLTP range of up to 209 miles. But that range will reduce if sprinting away from the line.

Vauxhall quotes the Mokka GSE can do a zero to 60 mph sprint in a very impressive 5.9 seconds, so the Corsa GSE should be able to go a little further on a charge, and may be a little quicker off the line, too.

It should also come with Vauxhall’s “Smart Grip Control: Grip BoosterTM and Active Braking Technology offer high grip when needed, with low rolling resistance during relaxed driving.”

The steering has also been breathed on for enhanced steering response to provide some feel through the wheel.

There will also be performance seats specific to the GSE as well as a lot of tech onboard.

Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo Concept Rendering

Eurig Druce, Vauxhall Managing Director & Stellantis UK Group Managing Director, said: “The GSE badge has already proven a great success with the Mokka GSE - now Vauxhall is bringing that electrifying high-performance to Corsa. The Corsa GSE will combine small and agile practicality with thrilling, pure electric, motorsport-inspired power and dynamics…”

Whilst details are very limited for now, with only teaser pictures and renderings available, the Corsa GSE can be ordered later his year.

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About the Author

Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more. You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.