First Drive: Is the new electric Vauxhall Corsa GSE a proper hot hatchback?

What is it?

The new Corsa GSE marks Vauxhall’s return to building small hot hatchbacks, but there’s a twist.

What’s new?

Using know-how from its Mokka electric rally car programme, Vauxhall has given the GSE quicker steering, stiffer springs and bespoke dampers with hydraulic bump stops. It also has a rear anti-roll bar that’s 33 per cent stiffer than the standard Corsa’s, plus a Torsen limited-slip differential to help put all that extra performance to use.

What’s under the bonnet?

However, while the normal Corsa has 154bhp, the GSE has 277bhp; to put that into perspective, that’s 41bhp more than the first generation Vauxhall Astra VXR, and comfortably punchier than the 220bhp Alpine A290 GTS+ and 255bhp electric Mini John Cooper Works.

What’s it like to drive?

But straight-line performance isn’t the only thing that makes the Corsa GSE entertaining to drive. The quicker steering makes the car feel more agile than the regular Corsa, but it’s the limited-slip differential that’s the real highlight. It does an excellent job at pulling the car back into the apex of a corner rather than allowing the inside wheel to spin all the power away. The wheel does wriggle around in your hands, but that just adds to the excitement if anything.

There is a but, though, and it’s the ride. The stiffer suspension does wonders for body control as there’s hardly any lean in the bends, but the downside is an extremely unforgiving ride quality. It certainly gives the GSE a hardcore edge, but there’s no forgetting the fact that the Alpine A290 manages to be just as fun on the road while also being more comfortable and easier to live with on a day-to-day basis.

How does it look?

It’s all pretty restrained – no fake vents, no carbon fibre, and no enormous rear wing here. While the Alpine A290 has a stylish look, the Corsa almost flies under the radar.

What’s it like inside?

Elsewhere, it’s standard Corsa. So, the back seats are not the roomiest, but fine for a supermini, and the 309-litre boot is pretty respectable for a car of this size.

What’s the spec like?

The GSE is pegged at £34,495 before the government’s Electric Car Grant; it gets the £1,500 discount, bringing the price down to a very competitive £32,995. For comparison, an Alpine A290 GTS+ costs £34,245 (post £3,750 grant), and the Mini John Cooper Works Electric is priced at £34,905. But the GSE’s biggest problem is the forthcoming Peugeot E-208 GTi – it’s the GSE’s sister and will use pretty much the same mechanicals. It’s priced at £33,495 (post £1,500 grant).

Verdict

Any fears that the hot hatchback wouldn’t have a place in an electric world are displaced with cars like the Vauxhall Corsa GSE. It’s properly entertaining to drive, and harsh ride aside and the small matter that the electric range will drop off a cliff as soon as you drive enthusiastically, the GSE is a true performance car.

Whether customers will prefer to spend an extra £500 on the fabled GTi badge of the E-208 remains to be seen, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Vauxhall has worked hard on making an electric Corsa fun to drive – and they’ve very much succeeded.