Vauxhall is grasping the shift to electric with both hands, viewing it as key to the firm’s long-held wish to make its cars more driver-focused. And the badge on the back of this new generation? Referencing sporty GSi Vauxhalls of the past, they will all be known as GSe models – Grand Sport electric.
Vauxhall's fast EVs to get GSe badge
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GSe will be a top of the range all-electric sub-brand, not just a single new model or trim level. Vauxhall’s acting MD James Taylor tells us: “Vauxhall is committed to electrifying Britain and GSe shows that performance and driving pleasure are set to be part of our electric future.”
You’d hope that having set out its electric stall Vauxhall would tempt us with a few product details, but not so, not yet anyway. They will have to get a move on: the company has committed to selling only battery-electric cars from 2028.
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No specifics then, just a pledge that the new GSe models will offer athletic looks, driver-focused chassis and higher performance, along with zero tailpipe emissions. Taylor says: “GSe will offer sports handling and looks combined with the performance and responsibility of electrified powertrains.”
Already Vauxhall offers the Corsa-e and Mokka-e and will soon be joined by battery-powered versions of the Astra, alongside the hybrid versions already available.
If, as is likely, next year’s Astra Electric gets the GSe treatment – as sibling to the just-announced Peugeot e-308 from within the same Stellantis group – it will get a 154PS (115kW) motor and 54kWh battery for a range of 248 miles.
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