Opel has announced the launch of a new electrified performance sub-brand, GSe, whose name echoes some of the company's former fast GSi range-toppers and was first seen on the Manta GSe ElektroMod restomod.
That choice of name gives some indication as to where the firm sees GSe sitting in the Opel range - at the top end of each model line-up and sporting sharper looks and more driver-focused handling and chassis set-ups.
"GSe will offer sports handling and looks combined with the performance and responsibility of electrified powertrains," said one company representative.
Electric Astra
The GSe name won't just be applied to fully-electric vehicles though - plug-in hybrid models such as the Grandland SUV will also receive the moniker in due course, but the first car to wear the GSe badge will be versions of the upcoming electric Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer estate, due for launch in Ireland in 2023.
While not a lot is known about the fully-electric Astra just yet, as it's based on the same underpinnings as its Stellantis cousin, the Peugeot 308, the electric Astra will benefit from the same powertrain combining a 54kWh battery pack and a 155hp electric motor driving the front wheels to deliver around 400km of range.
Whether the GSe designation adds anything in the way of power or performance to the electric Astra remains to be seen, but, at the very least, it will likely offer a more high-end look and perhaps sharper, more responsive handling.
Based on the Stellantis group's habit of using the same electric powertrains across a vast number of models, that battery and motor combination could potentially also see future use on models from Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Jeep and Fiat.
Use on other models?
Though it's difficult (but not impossible) to see the GSe nameplate being applied to Opel's van-based electric MPVs such as the Combo-e Life and Zafira-e Life, it does raise the tantalising potential prospect of an electric hot (or at least warm) hatch version of the Corsa-e and a sportier take too on the Mokka-e crossover. An Astra Sport Tourer GSe would also add a hint of spice at the bottom end of the sparsely-populated electric estate segment.
Further details about the GSe sub-brand will be released in the coming weeks.