New Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept gets hypercar-rivalling performance

When you think of the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, you might already have an image in your head of exactly what sort of car it is – especially since it's the all-electric version of one of the biggest-selling models in the UK. But be prepared for your perception of the Corsa to completely change with the reveal of the new high-performance Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept.

Indeed, Vauxhall's new GSE concept car takes the historic Corsa name and adds a hefty battery and huge power output to give it hypercar-rivalling performance.

At the heart of the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept is an 82kWh battery, which is a good deal larger than the 51kWh battery in the regular Corsa Electric. There are no official range figures, that's not what this car is about – instead, it's designed to showcase electric performance.

Power comes from two electric motors mounted on the front and rear which produce a total of 789bhp. That power is good for a maximum speed of 199mph and a 0-62mph time of just two seconds. That's quicker than a Lotus Evija and a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. You can also activate a boost function, which gets you four seconds of an additional 79bhp.

Outside, the concept looks like a beefed-up Corsa, but it sits lower to the ground and gets some sporty elements like a yellow rear spoiler, protruding front bumper and a wider stance. On the front, there's an illuminated Vauxhall badged in the centre of illuminated vertical lines and razor-thin horizontal headlights which make up the 'Vauxhall Compass'.

The rear gets illuminated 'Vauxhall' red lettering which also sit in the centre of a compass design, featuring ultra-slim rear lights. 

Much like the recently-revealed Vauxhall Mokka GSE, a high-performance version of Vauxhall’s Mokka Electric SUV offering 276bhp, the new Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept is kitted out with yellow accents, and it receives some ‘GSE’ badging throughout the exterior and interior.

A host of features to enhance aerodynamics are also fitted to the exterior, including exclusive aero wheels inspired by the three-spoke wheels on previous performance-focused Vauxhall GSE models. There's a focus on lightweight materials, with exterior finishes in eco-friendly carbon fibre alternatives.

Inside, the concept gets an ultra-slim racing car-inspired steering wheel with yellow accents and ‘GSE’ badging. It sits in front of a head-up display and is accompanied by motorsport-style front seats with six-point seatbelts and a roll cage – a feature designed to protect passengers in the event of a rollover, typically found on a racing car.

There are also onboard sensors that alert the driver when there are other vehicles around via illuminated fabrics across the dashboard and door inserts.

The Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept will make its official debut at the Munich Motor Show in September. It'll also be available to play with in Gran Turismo 7 – however it's unclear if the concept will actually make it to production.

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