Opel sub-brand GSe: First model will be the Astra with powerful plug-in hybrid
The abbreviation GSe has a certain tradition at Opel and is now being revived for a sub-brand. The first model will be an Astra PHEV with 165 kW system power.
(Bild: Opel)
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A new trend is sweeping the car industry. Manufacturers hope that fresh sub-brands will attract a broader range of attention. Opel is entering this race with the revived abbreviation "GSe". The combination of electrified drives and sporty equipment is to be united here. The first offshoot will be the Astra with the more powerful of two plug-in hybrids.
Astra GSe: Plug-in hybrid with 165 kW
Stellantis offers two plug-in hybrids on the platform of the current Astra. The 133 kW version has been available for a few months, while the PHEV with 165 kW was previously only available in the Peugeot 308. Now Opel is offering this drive in the Astra as well, and it comes with the sporty GSe equipment. This includes sports seats and a tighter suspension, which brings the body 10 mm closer to the road. Opel also wants the steering and brakes to be more responsive, reacting "immediately and directly to any command from the driver". A test car with the 133 -kW plug-in hybrid on this side of this tightening still showed room for improvement in the brake dosage.
Opel Astra GSe (6 Bilder)
Barely faster
Opel promises unspecified best values for acceleration and top speed, but a sideways glance at the two Peugeot 308 PHEVs suggests not to get your hopes up. Despite a difference of 32 kW in system performance, the differences are quite small - the top model can hardly distinguish itself significantly in the standard sprint. Opel has not yet announced prices. But we reckon that the company will be close to the 380. That would mean a list price of around 45,000 euros.
Electric car to follow
GSE once stood for "Grand Sport Injection", in future it will be translated as "Grand Sport electric". If one follows this logic, it is somewhat surprising that the first offshoot of this sub-brand will be a plug-in hybrid. More obvious would have been the premiere of the Astra-e, whose presentation should be imminent. Peugeot provides the technical key data with the e-308: 115 kW engine power, 100 kW charging power, 54 kWh energy content in the battery.
(mfz)