Opel Corsa GSE review: the electric successor to the GSi and OPC

The Opel Corsa GSE has all the ingredients to become the electric successor to the old GSi and OPC. The remaining question was whether it drives like one.

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For those of a certain age, the Opel Corsa GSi - and later the Corsa OPC - may well have been among the cars they dreamed of owning. Now the sportiest Corsa is back, using new ingredients for the same formula: more power, greater performance and more excitement behind the wheel.

It wears the new GSE badge, though the major change lies beneath the bonnet. The new Corsa GSE swaps octane for electrons, joining a fresh generation of compact electric performance cars: the Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI, Alpine A290, CUPRA Raval VZ and Peugeot E-208 GTi.

With 207 kW (281 hp) and 345 Nm, it is the most powerful production Corsa ever. But can this electric take on a pocket rocket live up to the pedigree of its predecessors?

That was what I set out to establish during its dynamic launch in Vienna, Austria, where I drove it on public roads as well as on a circuit.

A hotter Corsa

As with any self-respecting pocket rocket, the first clues that this is not an ordinary Corsa - but the most potent version in the range - are immediately apparent from the outside.

At the front, the bumper has a sportier design, with lines and creases exclusive to this variant. Higher up, as on every modern Opel, the black mask running across the full width of the car and incorporating the headlights stands out.

The roof and spoiler are also finished in black for an even more sporting appearance, while the 18-inch wheels conceal four-piston Alcon front brake calipers.

Inside, there are sports seats with integrated headrests, Alcantara inserts and a chequered pattern in black, grey and yellow.

Yet the changes are not limited to appearance. Compared with the seats in a conventional Corsa, those in the GSE provide more lumbar, side and leg support; on the circuit, I never found myself wanting for support in any of these areas.

The driving position also deserves praise. In electric cars, achieving a seating position as low as that in comparable combustion-engined models is not usually possible, largely because of the battery pack mounted under the floor. That was not an issue in this German supermini: I could set the seat surprisingly low, exactly where I wanted it.

Is the Opel Corsa GSE still fun?

A pocket rocket is generally synonymous with fun, and any car claiming that label will always face that test. The new Opel Corsa GSE is no exception.

Although it is now fully electric, it aims to remain faithful to the formula that defines these cars, combining compact dimensions with more power than its size might suggest. Its 1,554 kg kerb weight is the outlier, but that is the price of going electric and carrying several hundred kilograms of batteries.

Its 207 kW (281 hp) and 345 Nm of torque are sent exclusively to the front axle. That delivers 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and a top speed limited to 180 km/h. In this model’s case, however, its credentials extend beyond the specification sheet.

Alongside the visual revisions, Opel has made changes where they truly matter in a car with these credentials. It sits 25 mm lower, has wider front and rear tracks, and features a mechanical limited-slip differential on the front axle.

I was able to test the effectiveness of that package at the small Pachfurth circuit in Vienna. With its tight bends, short straights and a slalom section, the track seemed tailor-made to reveal how well the Corsa GSE could manage its power. Rain then added an extra layer of difficulty.

These were not ideal conditions for exploring a car of this kind, but they proved an excellent opportunity to assess how competently it puts its torque down. The limited-slip differential can be felt working as soon as the car turns into a corner, helping send torque to the wheel with more grip and, above all, holding the chosen line when traction begins to run out.

In my view, this is exactly where the Corsa GSE is most surprising. Performance matters, but the way it is able to exploit it means its abilities go far beyond what I had initially expected.

The braking system also merits praise. Pedal feel is not quite as firm as I would prefer, but it proved sufficiently communicative and predictable. More importantly, I detected no signs of fade, even after several laps and more demanding braking zones.

After a few laps, I realised I had a smile on my face. It is not every day that a front-wheel-drive electric supermini can deliver this degree of involvement. Yes, even in the electric era, the new Opel Corsa GSE can still guarantee driving fun.

What about at everyday speeds?

At a gentler pace, the Opel Corsa GSE reveals another side that I also came to appreciate. Its suspension is firm, but it smooths out imperfections with ease - an important quality in a model that must work in daily use.

In Eco mode, output is restricted to 190 hp and 300 Nm, which remains more than adequate for everyday driving. Less impressive is the sound insulation, as road noise is noticeable, partly due to the larger wheels and the standard-fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

Since tyres are under discussion, they also directly affect range. According to the brand, it is possible to cover up to 374 km between charges (WLTP), but only with the optional Hankook tyres, which have lower rolling resistance and therefore help reduce energy consumption.

With the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres fitted to the Corsa GSE as standard, range falls to 350 km between charges.

From €42,740

Price is where the new Opel Corsa GSE loses the most points: it is available from €42,740. It is in line with its rivals, but that does not change the fact that it is simply too expensive.

It also sits far from the spirit of the pocket rockets, or small performance cars, of the past. They were the most expensive versions in their respective ranges, yet remained reasonably attainable. They were an achievable dream for the young, and for the young at heart.

The last sporty Opel Corsa, the petrol-powered Corsa OPC, stopped being sold 11 years ago. It had just over 200 hp and cost around €25,000. Taking accumulated inflation into account, that would equate to approximately €31,500 today.

A great deal has changed over those 11 years, and electrification makes a significant contribution to the final price. But the more than €40,000 demanded for the Corsa GSE removes it from the role of a relatively affordable small performance car - the role that made proposals such as this so desirable for decades.

Verdict