Despite the huge power uplift, the GSE is priced on par with the current top-spec Corsa Electric Ultimate – just £50 separates the two after factoring in a £725 deposit contribution and the Government’s £1,500 Electric Car Grant.
Inside, there’s a part-Alcantara steering wheel with yellow stitching, bespoke chequered seats with further yellow details, plus yellow seatbelts and aluminium pedals. There are some scratchy plastics on the doors and lower dash, but overall the hot hatch feels befitting of its price. You’ll also find a set of bespoke performance pages buried within the infotainment system, giving owners access to things such as a G-force meter and an acceleration timer.
On the outside, every Corsa GSE has Nova-inspired three-spoke alloy wheels, hiding a set of – you guessed it – yellow brake calipers. There’s a specific body kit and GSE graphics, plus a contrast-colour roof and matrix-LED headlights. Disappointingly, there are only five colours to choose from: Carbon Black is standard, with Voltaic Blue, Crystal Silver, Graphic Grey and Contour White (shown here) available for £650 extra each. We’d love to see a special yellow option – maybe that’s one for a future limited edition?
Vauxhall says a whole range of hot GSE models is on the horizon, and that money is apparently being set aside to tune the cars specifically for UK roads. Ignoring the legacy battery and charging tech, that has the potential to rectify the Corsa’s sole setback – turning a good car into a truly great one.
ModelVauxhall Corsa GSEPrice£32,995Powertrain51kWh battery, 1x e-motorPower/torque276bhp/345Nm
Transmission
Single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive0-62mph/top speed5.5 seconds/112mphRange220 milesCharging100kW (0-80% in 30 mins)Size (L/W/H)4,082/1,773/1,426mmOn saleNow
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