Vauxhall has announced pricing and specification for the new Corsa GSE, the most powerful production Corsa of all time. Corsa GSE is priced at £32,995, including the Electric Car Grant (ECG)*. The official On-The-Road (OTR) price is £34,495.
The Corsa GSE marks Vauxhall’s return to the hot hatch segment with the new high-performance variant of Britain’s best-selling small car, taking the sporty genes of previous Vauxhall superminis, including the Nova GTE/GSi, Corsa GSi, and Corsa VXR, into the future.
Powertrain
The new Corsa GSE offers the same electric power and performance as the rally-inspired Mokka GSE with 281PS (207kW), 345 Nm of torque, and a class-leading power-to-weight ratio of 181hp/tonne. With a 0-62mph time of just 5.5 seconds, the high-performance Corsa will be the fastest-accelerating Vauxhall production model on sale.
New Corsa GSE drivers can choose from three different driving modes:
- Sport – The car is tuned for pure performance and calls up full power with its special racetrack-optimised calibration.
- Normal – It delivers 231PS (170kW)
- Eco – All settings are reduced for the greatest possible efficiency. The top speed is reduced from 112mph to 93mph.
The new Corsa GSE stores its energy in a 54kWh (51kWh useable) lithium-ion battery, providing a range of up to 232 miles (WLTP).
An 11kW on-board charger with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability is fitted as standard; a V2L adapter is available as an accessory through Vauxhall retailers. Battery recharging from 0-80% takes 30 minutes from a 100kW DC rapid charger, while a 0-100% charge from an 11kW AC charger will take 5 hours and 45 minutes. A full charge from a 7kW AC charger will take approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Chassis
The Corsa GSE features a Nürburgring-developed chassis, plus uprated steering, brakes, and suspension to deliver sharp handling and an engaging driving experience.
Among the upgrades is the addition of a Torsen® mechanical multi-plate limited-slip differential, designed to provide maximum traction under acceleration, greater stability, and improved handling whatever the conditions.
The suspension has been thoroughly reworked, with a lower ride (-24mm front, -11mm rear) and wider tracks (+54mm front, +20mm rear). Spring rates have been increased by 67% at the front and 29% at the rear, while there is a new rear axle with a 30.8mm anti-roll bar, resulting in a 153% increase in rear anti-roll stiffness. Finally, there are new shock absorbers with hydraulic bump stops and GSE suspension bushings all round.
The steering has also been completely revised, with a new knuckle setup and a reduced 14.5 rack ratio for faster response. Alcon® four-piston front callipers and 355mm front discs provide powerful braking, with maximum heat dissipation and fade resistance. In Sport mode, regenerative braking is disabled, with 100% hydraulic brake performance for optimal pedal feel.
Customers can choose from two tyre options tailored for Corsa GSE. The standard tyre is the performance-focused Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, which provides 220 miles of range (WLTP). Alternatively, customers prioritising efficiency can opt for Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 tyres, which increase range by 12 miles to 232 miles (WLTP).
Exterior
The new Corsa GSE’s design has all the hallmarks of a hot hatch, with a compact footprint and bold styling that sets it apart from the standard Corsa range. Its GSE-specific styling begins at the front where a dramatic front splitter and new bumper with large air intakes combine with a sharp line running from the prominent Griffin emblem at the front, up through the middle of the bonnet, alongside angular and aggressive Intelli-Lux Matrix headlights.
The confident design continues at the back where a muscular GSE bumper and black rear spoiler further emphasise its sporty silhouette. Performance-inspired details feature across the Corsa GSE with wide, high-gloss black wheel arch extensions, GSE badging along its flanks, dark tinted rear windows, and a contrasting black roof (body-coloured roof available as a no-cost option). Corsa GSE is available in five body colours: Carbon Black comes as standard, while Voltaic Blue, Contour White, Crystal Silver, and Graphic Grey are available as a £650 optional extra.
A powerful road presence is completed with the Corsa GSE sitting on aero-optimised, three-spoke 18-inch black diamond cut alloy wheels – inspired by 80s GTE models - while Alcon® four-piston front callipers in striking GSE yellow highlight the model’s uncompromising performance.
Interior and convenience
The bold GSE design is also reflected in the interior. The driver and front passenger sit on heated Alcantara® and cloth performance seats with integrated head restraints, with covers in a black, grey, and yellow chequered pattern - a design cue from the Nova’s interior.
A heated Alcantara®-covered flat-bottomed steering wheel adds to the racing ambience alongside premium aluminium pedals, yellow seat belts, and armrests with yellow accent stitching, plus a black headliner for a stylish finish. Door inserts are made from eco-friendly ReNewKnit™ material, which is sustainably made from fully recycled plastic (PET) bottles for a smooth, suede-like effect.
The 10-inch digital instrument panel with GSE logo is set against a silver-grey background, while located adjacent is the centrally-positioned 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™. The highly customisable system features unique GSE-specific information, such as G-force display, acceleration and torque values, battery management data, and more.
In-car amenities include a wireless charger for mobile devices, front and rear USB-C power outlets, and a six-speaker audio system. In addition, electric folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, and keyless entry and start are also included as standard.
On the road, driver safety and assistance are supported by Vauxhall PureSense, which features adaptive cruise control with stop & go, lane positioning assist, side blind spot alert, and front and rear parking sensors with a 180° rear view camera for simple and safe manoeuvring.
Pricing
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VED (Yr.1/Yr.2-)
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BiK rate (26/27)
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P11D price
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OTR price
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OTR price after ECG*
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£10/£200
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4%
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£34,430
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£34,495
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£32,995
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