Opel Corsa GSE: 280 electric hp for €39,990

Orders are now open: the Corsa GSE is returning to Opel’s sports lineup with one major change under the hood. The city car is now 100% electric, with a 280-hp motor and maximum torque of 345 Nm.

Power is sent through the front wheels, aided by a Torsen limited-slip differential, a device that distributes torque more effectively between the wheels when they do not have the same level of grip. Opel claims 5.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h and a top speed limited to 180 km/h. The chassis is lowered, the hydraulic bump stops are specific to the model, and the 18-inch wheels are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.

For energy storage, the Corsa GSE retains a 51 kWh usable battery. Its combined WLTP range is listed at 374 km, while DC fast charging remains limited to 100 kW. The car also comes standard with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, a 180-degree reversing camera, navigation, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry.

So what does that mean in practice? The price puts Opel below the Peugeot e-208 GTI, listed at €42,900 with the same specifications, a difference of €2,910. The Corsa GSE is also cheaper than the Lancia Ypsilon HF and the Mokka GSE, which is listed at €46,490 with the same motor. In the Opel Store, the promotion already brings the price down to €35,691, and the CEE incentive could reduce it further to €32,091.