In May 2021, Opel hinted at the rebirth of “GSe” with an electric restomod project based on Manta. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, the Stellantis brand confirmed a three-letter return for a sporty car equipped with a pure hybrid or electric drivetrain. Than “Grand SHarbor Einspritzung” (Grand Sport Injection), now stands for “Grand SHarbor Electric.” Leading the way is the Astra GSe 2023 in hatchback and wagon body styles.
The electric performance formula uses a plug-in hybrid setup with a combined output of 225 horsepower (165 kilowatts) and peak torque of 360 Newton-meters (265 pound-feet). That said, it falls short of the Volkswagen Group’s Skoda Octavia RS iV, VW Golf GTE, and Cupra Leon eHybrid, with all three delivering 245 hp (180 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft).
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If the Astra GSe’s output looks familiar, there’s a very good reason. The mechanically linked Peugeot 308 has the same number. They are provided by a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine teamed with an electric motor, a 12.4 kWh battery and an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels.
Compared to the regular Astra, the GSe sits 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) closer to the road and benefits from reworked shock absorbers on the front and rear axles. Engineers from Rüsselsheim have also tweaked the steering for a more direct response while installing new 18-inch alloy wheels derived from the previously mentioned Manta GSe.
In addition to the mechanical changes, the spicy hatchback and duo wagon have a slightly more aggressive exterior with a redesigned bumper along with an upgraded interior featuring sporty seats wrapped in Alcantara and exclusive to this version. The GSe badge inside and out lets everyone know it’s no ordinary Astra.
The sporty plug-in hybrid derivative of its popular model is at the top of the Astra lineup and is a stepping stone for Opel to become a pure electric product line in Europe starting in 2028. All brands part of the Stellantis conglomerate will say goodbye to combustion engines in their passenger cars in 2020. the end of the decade, some earlier than others.
