Opel Unveils Electric Corsa GSE as New Hot Hatch

Opel has announced the all-electric Corsa GSE as a new performance-focused hot hatch. Learn what the company revealed about its latest GSE model and plans.

Opel is expanding its performance-focused electric GSE line-up, confirming that the new Corsa GSE will join the already introduced Mokka GSE. The company officially announced that the hot hatch will become the fully electric top-of-the-range version of the Corsa and will be available to order during 2026. Detailed technical specifications have not yet been disclosed, but the development logic of the GSE family provides important context.

The GSE badge has deep historical roots at Opel. In the 1970s, the designation GS/E – Grand Sport Einspritzung – was used for performance variants such as the Commodore GS/E and Monza GSE. In its modern interpretation, GSe has become a marker for electrified, dynamically tuned flagship versions. Initially applied to plug-in hybrid models, the sub-brand has now evolved into a label for fully electric performance cars.

The new Corsa GSE is positioned as an “everyday sports car,” combining daily usability with locally emissions-free driving. Based on the current Corsa generation, it will serve as the range-topping version of the small car. Opel underlines that the model blends the long-standing success of the Corsa nameplate with electric performance credentials.

The context for this move has already been set by the Mokka GSE. The electric crossover delivers 207 kW (280 hp) and 345 Nm of torque, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h. German publications report a 54 kWh battery (51 kWh net) and a WLTP range of 336 kilometres. The model also features a mechanical limited-slip differential and chassis upgrades designed to enhance driving dynamics.

The Mokka GSE further strengthened Opel’s electric performance profile by winning the Golden Steering Wheel 2025 in the “Best Small Car” category. Winners are first selected by readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, followed by final evaluation tests conducted by a professional jury at the DEKRA Lausitzring.

The Corsa itself remains one of Opel’s core models. According to Germany’s Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, the Corsa led the small car segment in 2024 with 43,467 new registrations, marking several consecutive years of strong performance in its class. Introducing a performance-focused electric flagship therefore builds on an already successful foundation.

Opel had previously announced plans to become a fully electric brand in Europe by 2028, although it has since shifted towards a multi-energy strategy. Within this broader framework, expanding the all-electric GSE line-up signals the brand’s intention to preserve its sporting identity while adapting to evolving market and technology conditions.

Technical specifications for the Corsa GSE — including output figures, battery capacity and performance data — are expected to follow. For now, the announcement confirms Opel’s commitment to pairing a best-selling compact model with a dedicated electric performance badge, reinforcing its presence in the emerging segment of compact electric hot hatches.