Opel announced plans for a Corsa GSE earlier this year and the automaker recently took the hot hatch to the Nürburgring for testing. Unsurprisingly, the brand’s answer to the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI was spotted not only by spy photographers, but also by the company’s own cameras.

We’ll get to the details in a moment, but Opel said testing was primarily focused on fine-tuning the chassis. They went on to say the upcoming model will “be the most powerful series Corsa ever built” and have “specific throttle, steering, and ESC tuning.”

More: New VW ID. Polo And ID. Polo GT Leaked Ahead Of Their Debut

While the company is keeping details under wraps, we can see a lightly revised front end with triangular air curtain accents. They’re joined by extended fender flares and aerodynamically optimized wheels, which are backed up by yellow brake calipers with GSE badging.

The changes largely fly under the radar, but the production model could be hiding a few tricks up its sleeve. That remains to be seen, but we can expect to learn more as we approach the car’s unveiling at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Opel

One thing that isn’t much of a mystery is the powertrain as the hatchback is expected to borrow heavily from the Mokka GSE. This means we can likely expect a 54 kWh battery that powers a front-mounted motor developing 278 hp (207 kW / 281 PS) and 254 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque. It enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).

More: Stellantis Outguns Polo GTI With New Corsa GSE

The upgrades should extend beyond the powertrain as the Corsa GSE will likely be equipped with a limited-slip differential, unique axles, and a sport-tuned suspension with special shock absorbers.

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Opel’s famous hot hatch badge is back on a GTI-type subcompact, and this time it doesn’t need a turbocharger or fancy ICE breathing to make trouble. Fresh spy shots confirm the Corsa GSE is on the way, giving the long retired Opel OPC and British Vauxhall VXR bloodline a fully electric reboot with considerably more zap than before.

We already saw a teaser last week, zoomed in tight on a wheel like it was hiding state secrets. Now the prototypes are out stretching their legs, wearing camo but not bothering to disguise the yellow brake callipers and chunky wheels that scream performance model.

Related: The Stellantis Hot Hatch You’ll Never Buy But Can Still Drive At Home

Visually, expect something close to the Mokka GSE SUV that debuted last year. That means dynamic-looking wheel rims, plenty of moody black detailing and a lower stance resulting from uprated springs and dampers. The body panels appear largely unchanged from the facelifted Corsa, but sharper bumpers and extra cladding should help it stand apart from lesser trims in supermarket car parks.

Close To 280 hp

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Under the skin, the smart money says it’ll also mirror the Mokka GSE and its Stellantis cousins. Expect a front-mounted electric motor pushing out around 278 hp (281 PS / 207 kW) and 255 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque, plus a Torsen limited slip differential and stiffer suspension are expected to keep torque steer tantrums in check.

Opel claims a 5.9-second zero to 62 mph (100 kmh) time for the Mokka, so the lighter Corsa should knock a couple of tenths off that, matching the 5.7 seconds Peugeot quotes for the Corsa GSE’s French brother, the 208 GTI.

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Power will likely come from the familiar 54 kWh battery pack fitted to both the Mokka and 208. But the driving range will come in closer to the 208’s 217 miles (350 km) than the 201 miles (324 km) Opel says the taller, heavier Mokka can deliver between charges.

Competition Hotting Up

The 208 GTI marks the first time Peugeot has dropped a GTI badge on an EV, but it won’t the £35-40k Corsa GSE’s only competition. Alpine and Mini already have hot hatch EVs on sale and VW launches its first electric GTI this year, the ID. Polo GTI.

From what we’ve seen the Polo is going to have the upper hand when it comes to design, both inside and out, but with only 223 hp (226 hp / 166 kW), it’s not going to have the firepower of the Stellantis duo.