We were able to approach the new Opel electric car: the Mokka GSE. The compact SUV becomes boosting under its hood, with a touch of discreet sportiness and proven technologies. Here is our first opinion.
Opel was the first manufacturer of the Stellantis group to develop electric rally cars to run on a dedicated championship, the Adac Opel Electric Rally Cup, with 156 horsepower Corsa.
Preparing for the arrival of the new Erally5 regulations, the German manufacturer has developed the Opel Mokka Gse Rally, and a series of series this time, which is simply called Opel Mokka GSE.
If Opel made simple by simply deleting the name Rally to dissociate the competition model from that of series, you will see that it is not only on the name that Opel has chosen to make it simple.
A most discreet style
The Opel Mokka GSE is the cousin of the Abarth 600e or Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, but when the Italian part of his family plays the seduction card with clearly assumed sports appendages, the Mokka GSE plays the card of discretion more.
In this anthracite gray, which is not a specificity of this GSE sports version, the Mokka remains shy. The Opel Vizor grille is still present, giving a black look at the front of the city dweller, especially since it is surmounted by a hood also black. The Opel logo is also black.
The front shield is specific, but it cannot be said that it is particularly expressive. Let’s say that he subtly evokes a more assertive trait without shouting “look at me” as an abarth 600th can do. However, note the small registration GSE, with the E in yellow, on the bumper. Yellow that will be found in different places.
In profile, we notice 18 -inch rims in specific alloy with yellow brake calipers. The cashards includes the reserved registration GSE. Finally, at the rear, there is again a small (too) specific badge with a slight touch of yellow.
Clearly, the Opel Mokka GSE wants to be discreet to blend into traffic without attracting too much looks. When we asked Mark Fetzer, product manager, why the Mokka GSE was shy in terms of style, the answer was clear: the Germans, the main target of this vehicle, appreciate this restraint. No need to show everyone that this is a powerful version, as much to prove it on the Autobahn.
A version designed for high speeds
You are aware that speeds on German motorways can be unlimited. Opel has developed its Mokka GSE in office. The top speed is 200 km/h thanks to the M4 engine of 280 horsepower and 345 Nm that we know in the Stellantis group, already tried with the Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce and soon in the Lancia Ypsilon HF and Peugeot E-208 GTI.
So, you will say to me: What makes this Mokka GSE more suitable for high speeds than the rest of his family? The development of his chassis.
Opel has adopted a geometry thought to have a more stable rear axle at high speed. According to the brand, it would be possible to load the front axle on supported brains, which can be encountered by dynamically leaving a highway strap, while preventing the rear axle to hide. For the rest, the technical part is already known.
No surprise under the hood
Based on the same platform as the Abarth 600E, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, Lancia Ypsilon HF and Peugeot E-208 GTI, there is no surprise for the Opel Mokka GSE, its technical sheet was already a little known in advance.
We therefore find this famous M4 engine of 280 horsepower and 345 Nm, which is coupled with a limited sliding differential of the torsen type from the Japanese supplier Jtekt, unique on the market currently for an electric traction. Differential settings are the same as for other models already mentioned, which promises a vigorous front axle and capable of correctly passing power. The 0 to 100 km/h is made in 5.9 seconds.
The sport suspension lowers the car by 10 mm, the 20 -inch rims house 380 mm brake discs (larger than a Toyota Gr Yaris), with 4 -piston alcon brake calipers (at the front). The tires are Michelin Pilot Sport EV, offering a compromise between lateral grip and low rolling resistance for autonomy.
Down autonomy
No miracle, unfortunately, with regard to autonomy: the Opel Mokka GSE has the same engine, inverter and battery as the Rallye version. But unfortunately, the 54 kWh battery is not large enough to keep the WLTP autonomy of a 156 horsepower Mokka (402 km). This version with a more powerful engine and more energy -consuming tires can travel 336 km of autonomy (given awaiting approval).
It is just the autonomy of version 136 of the Mokka Phase 1, equipped with the 136 horsepower engine and the 51 kWh battery. This Mokka GSE will above all be a pleasure car, comfortable in town and on small dynamic walks.
When loading the battery, it will be necessary to count on a maximum power of 100 kW. There too, no miracle: it is estimated to pass the passage from 10 to 80 % to 30 minutes, as for the 136 or 156 horsepower versions of the electric Mokka.
A less radical interior
When we had tried the Abarth 600E, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, we were seized by the choice to install siege with a rigid Sabelt hull in a city SUV. Opel did not choose the same path. Here, the seats are identical to those found in an Opel Corsa GS.
This choice, certainly less sexy than the Sabelt seats, was made for two reasons: preserving the comfort of the front passengers, easier to settle and go out, but also less firm, which should make the Mokka GSE a little more comfortable. The second motivation is to keep space in the rear seats. The rigid shell is more imposing and clogs the field of vision.
For the rest, the changes on board are minimal. We note the presence of a specific GSE display on the infotainment screen, with force meter G, chronometer during a 0 to 100 km/h or even battery management. We also notice special displays in the meter, a tapered sport steering wheel at the top and bottom, and an alloy crankset.
The interior of the Mokka GSE is faithful to the rest of the electric sporting SUV: a final sobriety in all its aspects.
Our opinion: Sobriety!
The Opel Mokka GSE will not be the favorite choice within electric sportsmen of the Stellantis group. The Italian trio is more sensual and demonstrative, the E-208 GTI is more nostalgia. But it is the choice of sobriety. Without making tons of them to show its sporting DNA, the Mokka GSE can seduce a clientele eager for sensations without wanting to be in the demonstration in the face of its neighbors. A rather German philosophy, therefore.
On the other hand, we still wonder why Opel did not choose to offer this sports version on the basis of a Corsa, which is technically possible and would have made a little more sense in our opinion. It is easier to start from a city database than a SUV to make a truly sporty vehicle, and the Corsa has distinguished itself by several sports versions throughout its career.
But the Mokka GSE is a “Brand Shaper” according to Opel: the model is used to shape the brand image. It is also a conquest vehicle. According to Opel’s speech, the Mokka is a conquest vehicle, with buyers who have had premium vehicles.
Offer a sporting version tends to bring the Mokka closer to the Premium category. Mini Cooper S and JCW, Alpine A290, Lancia Ypsilon or the Audi S1: these sports versions have contributed to giving letters of nobility to the basic models. And we think that Opel hopes to get the same effect with his Mokka GSE.
The world premiere of the Opel Mokka GSE will be at the Munich IAA show from September 9 to 14, 2025. The first models should arrive on the roads by the end of the year. On the other hand, the price has not yet been announced. It is estimated close to the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce offered from 46,900 euros.