Electric cars are often thought of as quiet, sensible commuters, but the automotive world’s oldest players are starting to show their wild side. Opel, a German company with a long history of compact bestsellers like the Astra, is now flexing its motorsport muscles in the world of EVs.
Opel is taking the high-performance technology developed for rally racing and building it right into its new production model, the Opel Mokka GSE. Opel executives are promising this is more than just a sharp styling exercise – the fastest electric Opel ever is bringing a genuine “rally feeling to the road.”
This new sports car draws heavily from the Mokka GSE Rally prototype. It uses the same high-voltage parts – motor, inverter, battery, and wiring harness – as its racing counterpart. The single electric motor delivers a peak output of 207 kW, which equals 281 hp. With an instant 254 lb-ft of torque, the acceleration hits hard. The Mokka GSE jets from a standstill to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 124 mph.
To manage the instant power and deliver dynamic handling, Opel engineered a host of special features. The car uses a Torsen multi-plate limited-slip differential to manage power delivery to the front wheels, ensuring excellent grip when cornering or accelerating. The chassis also gets specially designed axles and new hydraulic shock absorbers, tuned with lessons learned from electric rallying.
The braking and steering systems are optimized for sporty driving as well. For drivers who aren’t always in a hurry, the new Mokka offers three drive modes: ‘Sport’ gives full power, ‘Normal’ limits the top speed to 112 mph for everyday use, and ‘Eco’ maximizes efficiency by adjusting all settings. The car stores its energy in the same {{54 kWh}} lithium-ion battery that the standard Mokka uses, but Opel did not reveal the official range yet.
The sporty DNA of the Mokka GSE is clearly visible at first glance. The exterior gets GSE-specific inserts on the front and rear aprons, inspired by the rally prototype. It rides on aerodynamically optimized 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport EV 225/40 tires. Clearly visible through the spokes are striking yellow GSE four-piston brake calipers on the front wheels, leaving no doubt about the car’s performance focus. The yellow and black GSE lettering on the sides and front finish the aggressive look.
Inside the cabin, the racing theme continues with special Alcantara GSE Performance seats that have integrated headrests, yellow stitching, and a white center line. These seats should hold the driver in place during spirited driving. The driver gets a steering wheel flattened at both the top and bottom, and aluminum sports pedals complete the sporty touch.
All the vital information is displayed on a customizable 10-inch digital display and a central color touchscreen with navigation. There’s unique GSE performance data available, including G-force display, acceleration values, and battery management information. Standard features also enhance daily comfort and safety, including the clever glare-free Intelli-Lux Matrix light, active lane keeping assist, and a 180-degree rear-view camera.
Potential buyers will be happy to know that the ordering is already open. The fully equipped Opel Mokka GSE is available for purchase at a rather steep price of $55,400 from German dealerships. The leasing option sounds a bit more attractive as it starts from as little as $467 per month, but it requires a $1,200 deposit.
At the same time Opel unveiled the new Mokka, it also gave us a sneak peek at the future of its legendary compact bestseller, the Astra. The new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer will feature a sharper, more technical look, highlighted by the brand’s first-ever illuminated ‘Opel Blitz’ emblem, bright colors, and new alloy wheel designs.
