From the outside, you can recognize the sporty versions mainly by the 18-inch wheels whose design is inspired by the ones under the Manta GSe. In addition, Opel gives the GSe's custom bumpers filled in with more black parts and a set of GSe badges. Inside, you'll find alcantara-clad sport seats.
The Opel Astra was already available with a 180 hp plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Peugeot 308's tech brother is available with a 165 kW/225 hp and 360 Newton metres powertrain. In the back of the plug-in versions is a 12.4 kWh battery from which you squeeze about 60 electric kilometers.
Opel is not yet releasing detailed technical specifications, although the 7.5 seconds the Peugeot 308 GT Hybrid 225 needs for the 0-100 sprint are undoubtedly indicative of what the Astra GSe has to offer. The estate version of the Astra, the Astra Sports Tourer, also comes as a GSe.
The Astras GSe are an centimetre closer to the asphalt and the dampers are tuned more severely than those of the less potent versions. The ESP system is also tuned differently for the GSe versions. "Compared with their immediate rivals, the newcomers will deliver superior stability during cornering, under braking and - like every Opel - while driving at high speed on the Autobahn" Opel stated.
Unfortunately, we do not have prices and exact start date of sales yet. Probably the electrified Opel novelties will be available in 2023.
Source: Opel