The Vauxhall Corsa is officially a hot hatch again – although this time, there’s no turbocharged engine or VXR badge involved.
Instead, the new Corsa GSE is fully electric, produces 277bhp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in a cool 5.5 seconds. That makes it quicker than the current Volkswagen Golf GTI, which completes the same sprint in 5.9 seconds.
Vauxhall Corsa GSE
It’s also considerably cheaper, with Vauxhall pricing the Corsa GSE at £34,495, reduced to £32,995 once the government’s £1,500 Electric Car Grant is applied.
That puts it in roughly the same bracket as the Alpine A290 and electric Mini John Cooper Works. It also undercuts the larger Golf GTI by around £9,000.
The hot Corsa is finally back
The Corsa GSE marks Vauxhall’s return to the hot-hatch market for the first time since the final Corsa VXR disappeared in 2018.
Vauxhall says the newcomer brings the sporty spirit of cars such as the Nova GTE, Nova GSi and Corsa VXR into the electric era. That heritage has also inspired several of the GSE’s design details.
Its chunky three-spoke alloy wheels are a nod to sporty Vauxhalls of the 1980s, while the cabin gets tartan-trimmed bucket seats and brightly coloured seatbelts.
The makeover is otherwise reasonably restrained. There are wider wheelarch trims, redesigned bumpers, a front splitter, a black roof and a larger rear spoiler, but it stops short of looking like a full-blown rally mock-up.
Vauxhall Corsa GSE
It should be more than a straight-line special
The Corsa GSE uses the same basic electric motor found in the Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce and Vauxhall Mokka GSE – sending its power to the front wheels.
However, Vauxhall has made more extensive changes underneath than simply installing a more powerful motor.
A mechanical limited-slip differential helps manage the extra performance, while the suspension sits lower and uses stiffer springs, revised dampers and a new rear anti-roll bar. The steering, brakes and accelerator response have also been retuned.
Behind the 18-inch wheels sit four-piston Alcon front brakes, while Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres should provide rather more grip than you’ll find on a regular electric Corsa.
Three driving modes are included. Normal restricts the car to around 228bhp, while Eco reduces its performance further to preserve energy. Selecting Sport releases the full 277bhp and the quickest accelerator response.
Vauxhall Corsa GSE
Can an electric Corsa be a proper hot hatch?
Despite its performance, the Corsa GSE hasn’t completely abandoned everyday usability.
Its official range stands at 232 miles, while heated seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and a reversing camera are all fitted as standard. Orders open in September, with the first UK cars expected to arrive during the winter.
Whether enthusiasts will embrace a silent, electric Corsa as a true successor to the VXR remains to be seen. On paper, though, it appears to have the performance, chassis upgrades and price needed to give the hot-hatch establishment something to worry about.
Read the full article here