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Opel Built An Electric SUV That Might Make Hot Hatches Nervous

  • Opel has revealed the Mokka GSE, its fastest and most aggressive electric model to date.
  • The small SUV features sporty bumpers, yellow brake calipers, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
  • A 278 hp motor drives the front wheels, aided by a bespoke chassis and suspension setup.

Small electric performance cars are picking up speed, and in Europe, Stellantis has quietly assembled a diverse lineup across its brands. Among them are the Abarth 600e, the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, the Lancia Ypsilon HF, and the upcoming Peugeot 208 GTI. Now Opel is joining the mix with a sportier take on the Mokka.

This electric variant kicks off Opel’s revamped GSE sub-brand with sharper styling and performance upgrades.

More: Opel’s Rugged SUV Could Rival Dacia’s Budget Off-Roader

The fastest electric Opel (Vauxhall in the UK) model to date looks more aggressive than the regular Mokka, taking inspiration by the GSE Rally prototype that debuted last May. Black inserts in the front and rear bumpers emphasize the air intakes, and GSE badging on the grille and side panels signals its performance focus. The standout, however, is the set of 20-inch alloy wheels with a clean, aerodynamic design and bright yellow brake calipers, which look especially large on a compact SUV.

Inside the cabin, the upgrades continue. The front seats are trimmed in Alcantara and shaped for extra support, matched by similarly finished door inserts. A reshaped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and white and yellow accents help differentiate the GSE from its tamer siblings. The dual 10-inch screens in the digital cockpit now include performance-focused graphics unique to this model, providing real-time data while driving.

Performance Matches Rivals

Power comes from a single electric motor producing 278 horsepower (207 kW or 280 PS) and 345 Nm (254.5 lb-ft) of torque. These figures are in line with the top-spec versions of the Abarth and Alfa Romeo counterparts, as well as the earlier GSE Rally concept. The front wheels handle all that power with the help of a Torsen limited-slip differential.

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Opel claims the Mokka GSE can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.9 seconds, while its top speed is capped at 200 km/h (124 mph. This makes the Mokka GSE quicker than the more powerful but heavier Grandland Electric AWD.

More: The Most Powerful Opel Ever Comes With A Shocking Price Tag

Besides having almost double the power of the standard Mokka Electric, the GSE features a unique chassis setup. The suspension has been lowered by 10 mm and includes dual hydraulic shock absorbers for better damping. The rear axle is stiffer, the steering has been retuned, and stopping power comes from Alcon brakes with 380 mm discs and four-piston calipers.

The Mokka GSE uses the same 54 kWh lithium-ion battery pack found in the regular Mokka Electric. However, due to the performance enhancements and extra hardware, the WLTP range is expected to fall short of the standard model’s 406 km (252 miles). Even so, the GSE keeps its weight under 1,600 kg (3,527 pounds), which is not bad for a fully electric crossover with this level of performance.

Details about the market launch and the pricing of the Opel Mokka GSE in Europe will be announced in the coming months. The model will also be available in the UK, albeit with Vauxhall emblems.

Opel

The Most Powerful Opel Ever Comes With A Shocking Price Tag

  • Stellantis revealed the Opel Grandland Electric AWD with a combined output of 321 hp and 375 lb-ft.
  • The range-topping trim of the SUV features subtle styling tweaks and a unique chassis configuration.
  • The most powerful Opel doesn’t wear the GSE emblem, and is more expensive than premium rivals.

Update: Opel has just revealed the pricing for the new Grandland Electric AWD, and it comes with a bit of a shock, as the starting price is €59,990 ($69,300). That makes it the priciest offering from the otherwise mainstream German brand.

For comparison, this electric Opel is now pricier than the BMW iX2 xDrive30, which offers 308 hp (230 kW / 313 PS) for €57,400, and the €56,423.85 Mercedes EQA 350 4Matic, which delivers 288 hp (215 kW / 292 PS). It even outprices the more powerful Audi Q4 55 e-tron Sportback, which produces 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS), leaving the Grandland Electric in a peculiar pricing position.

This places the Grandland Electric in the awkward spot of being neither a great deal nor a true premium contender, making it a tough sell.

Original story continues below.

With multiple Stellantis brands sharing similar hardware across a sea of small crossovers, if one model gets a feature, it’s usually just a matter of time before it shows up elsewhere. The latest Grandland update follows that script, adopting the familiar dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup we’ve seen elsewhere. The result? It’s now the most powerful and expensive Opel you can buy today.

The Opel Grandland Electric AWD makes 321 hp (239 kW / 325 PS) and 509 Nm (375 lb-ft) of torque, putting it on equal footing with the top versions of the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008. A 210 hp (157 kW / 213 PS) motor handles the front axle, while the rear gets a second unit producing 111 hp (82 kW / 112 PS). Together, they deliver a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 6.1 seconds, which is quick by family SUV standards.

More: Stellantis Turns Small SUV Into An Electric Rally Weapon

The driver has access to Eco, Normal, AWD, and Sport modes, affecting the powertrain, steering, and accelerator pedal. Furthermore, the Grandland Electric AWD comes standard with frequency selective damping technology and specific tuning for the springs, anti-roll bar, steering, and ESC. Energy is stored in the standard 73 kWh battery pack, allowing a WLTP range of 311 miles (500 km).

Design changes are subtle but functional. The all-wheel-drive Grandland gets sportier front and rear bumper inserts, said to be aerodynamically optimized, complete with carbon-style accents. It also rides on new 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels. These updates help the SUV achieve a drag coefficient of 0.278 Cd, the lowest in the Grandland range.

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At the back, the chrome Grandland badge has been replaced by embossed lettering on the tailgate. Inside, Opel highlights a slightly different color palette for the ergonomic Intelli-seats, though the rest of the interior appears mostly unchanged. The model will be sold across Europe and the UK, wearing either Opel or Vauxhall branding depending on the market.

More: Stellantis Brand Teases Hot SUV With Electric Power

Strangely, Opel has decided not to give this variant the GSe badge, even though it outpaces the outgoing Grandland GSe plug-in hybrid, which made 296 hp (220 kW / 300 PS). Despite the upgraded drivetrain and handling tweaks, the new electric AWD model goes without the sport-focused label.

Premium Pricing

The Opel Grandland Electric AWD is now available to order in Europe, and the Vauxhall version is set to hit the UK this autumn. In Germany, Opel’s new flagship model starts at a hefty €59,990 ($69,300), a price that feels more fitting for a luxury SUV than a mainstream offering.

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Stellantis

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