Vauxhall Corsa GSE (2024 - )

Drawing on its hot hatch heritage that dates back to the Nova in 1987, Vauxhall has launched the all-electric Corsa GSE. It stands for Grand Sport Electric and this fire-cracker of a car is the most powerful production Corsa of all time, ticking off the 0-62mph dash in just 5.5 seconds.

With a price-tag just shy of £35k it costs considerably more than the entry-level Corsa – about £20k more to be precise, but there is some good news for would-be buyers. It will likely qualify for the government’s Electric Car Grant so that should shave £1,500 off the asking price.

With a number of head-turning design cues that help it stand out in any crowd, this Corsa is not for the faint-hearted, but is guaranteed to make any petrol-head (or maybe that should be electric-head) take note.

Corsa GSE is powered by a 54kWh battery and is capable of delivering 232 miles between charges, although owners are unlikely to get close to that figure as it will probably be pushed on a tad.

Powering the front-wheel drive Vauxhall Corsa GSE is a 54kWh battery unit working with a single electric motor positioned on the front axle. With 281PS and a torque rating of 345Nm, that’s a great deal of power to drive a supermini weighing in at 1.5 tonnes. And that impressive power to weight ratio is proven in the performance figures with the vehicle completing the 0-62mph dash in just 5.5 seconds and onto a top speed of 112mph.

Designers and engineers used a Nurburgring-developed chassis and the ride height has been lowered by 25mm compared to the standard Corsa model. Additionally, it boasts wider tracks for a lower centre of gravity and has been performance-tuned for rally-inspired driving dynamics.

It’s a car that will sit effortlessly at 70mph on motorways and can turn on a sixpence in busy, congested towns and city centres, but it’s the open road that leaves this model chomping at the bit.

Overtaking slower-moving vehicles is completed in the blink of an eye and the balance on twisting country lanes cannot fail to impress. Special mention to the perfectly weighted steering too with plenty of driver feedback. It’s a car that fills you with confidence.

The acceleration through the single speed transmission is perfectly timed and there are drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport that alter the dynamics, handling and power outputs. In Eco mode the speed is limited to 93mph and the power output levels max out at 190PS with 300Nm of torque. But in Sport mode, you get the full beans, so 281PS and 345Nm of torque. No prizes for guessing which mode is the most engaging.

The lowered, stiffened suspension does mean the ride is quite firm, but that perfectly suits this car, and as we mentioned earlier, the official WLTP-tested range is 232 miles, but you will see far lower if the car is driven to its full potential.

If you are going to turn a Corsa into a hot hatch, then it needs to be dripping with the appropriate styling cues and the Vauxhall designers have delivered the goods with the GSE. The five-door model boasts GSE-specific bumpers, a contrasting black roof and spoiler, dark tinted windows, high gloss black wheel arch extensions, 18-inch alloys and GSE yellow brake calipers. 

The Vauxhall emblems have been blacked out, while there are GSE decals on the door and front bumper. Additionally the CORSA name is spelt out across the tailgate in black chrome lettering.

Moving inside, the interior is also GSE-themed with Alcantara and cloth upholstered performance seats that feature integrated headrests. These have a chequered black, grey and yellow pattern that is a nod to the Nova that started the hot-hatch revolution for Vauxhall all those years ago.

Yellow seatbelts are another eye-catching feature, along with an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, aluminium pedals and GSE-specific door inserts. The seats and steering wheel can be heated for added convenience and, despite their sporty design, the seats are really comfortable and supportive.

A centrally-positioned 10-inch infotainment screen offers access to on-board tech, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav with EV route mapping, a six-speaker sound system and Bluetooth, while the 10-inch driver display shows the speed, range, battery charge levels, along with track-based data if required, including G-Force stats, front wheel torque distribution and lap times.

The Vauxhall Corsa GSE is a compact supermini that stretches 4,082mm in length, is 1,773mm wide (with mirrors folded), 1,426mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,557mm. While the interior is quite snug, there is ample space up front for two six-foot-plus adults to sit side-by-side without bumping elbows.

If the front seats are not pushed back, there is space for two rear passengers, but if those seats are positioned right back, legroom becomes really limited even for youngsters.

A manual tailgate offers access to the deep boot which can swallow 267 litres of goodies – that’s ample for the weekly supermarket run. Its generous depth helps keep items securely in place reducing the risk of items rolling out when the tailgate is opened.

If extra space is needed, the 60:40 split-folding rear seats can be lowered and the storage capacity increases to 1,081 litres.

There are also a number of handy storage compartments throughout the car, including a cubby beneath the central armrest, door bins with room for a water bottle, two front cup holders, a tiny glovebox, a wireless charging pad, plus three USB-C outlets.

With the option of rapid charging, a zero to 80 per cent boost takes 30 minutes via a 100kW outlet, but it will be more cost-effective to use a home or work wallbox. If using an 11kW AC outlet, a 0-100 per cent charge takes 5 hours, 45 minutes, or 7 hours, 30 minutes via a 7kW unit port.

And Vehicle-to-Load capability means this compact Corsa can be used to power up external devices, although owners will need to splash out on the optional V2L adaptor, which is likely to cost about £400.

Pricing for the Corsa GSE could not be simpler as there is just the one model, costing £34,495. However, Vauxhall bosses are confident it will be eligible for the government’s Electric Car Grant which will see £1,500 cut from that asking price.
With zero carbon emissions, the first-year road tax bill is just £10, but this will increase to the standard £200 fee after 12 months. With the vehicle falling well below the Expensive Car Supplement threshold of 50k, there will be no other nasty add-on charges.
We are still awaiting the insurance group ranking for the vehicle, but anyone lucky enough to be looking at the Corsa GSE as a business car will be rewarded with an attractive a four per cent Benefit in Kind tax rating.
The Corsa GSE is sold with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty package, increasing to eight years or 100,000 miles for the battery.
One optional extra we should mention is the tyres. Customers can choose to upgrade to more efficient Hankook tyres costing £100 and that will see a 12 mile increase in the driving range compared to standard Michelin tyres that are fitted as standard.
 

If anyone is concerned about electric cars taking the joy out of driving, they should test drive the all-new Corsa GSE. Not only does it look like a hot-hatch, it delivers on the performance front too.
Admittedly, drive it to its full potential for too long and that 232-mile range will drop like a stone, but it’s certainly worth exploring the sportier functions.
Since the Nova launched back in 1982, there have been 2.8 million Nova and then Corsa sales across the six generations. And the Corsa is still the best-selling small car here in the UK. And we think its appeal just took a huge leap forwards, if you have that extra cash, of course.
The order books open in September with deliveries starting in the winter months.