► Mokka goes mad with a wealth of performance upgrades
► New LSD, Alcon brakes and rear anti-roll bar
► On sale in August 2025, pricing TBC
Hold the front page – Vauxhall is making fast cars again. But possibly not in the way you’d expect. Behold the Vauxhall Mokka GSE – a near 300bhp all-electric take on its family crossover and possibly the world’s most effective sleeper car.
Inspired by the GSE Rally (the first rally car to be developed to the FIA’s new eRally5 regulations), the Mokka GSE gets a revised exterior and interior design, more power than the standard Mokka Electric and a host of other performance upgrades.
Starting with that headline figure, the Mokka develops 276bhp and 254lb ft of torque from a single motor mounted on the front axle. With a kerb weight of 1.6 tonnes, that means 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds and a power-to-weight ratio of around 170bhp per tonne – a little less than a Hyundai Kona N.
To help put that power down, Vauxhall has fitted the Mokka GSE with a set of bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres (225/40 R20) and Torsen a limited-slip differential. There’s also four-pot Alcon brakes with 380mm discs at the front, as well as GSE yellow calipers.
A revised steering system with tweaked gearing features, as does a wider track and upgraded suspension. Lowered by 10mm, the Mokka GSE uses new shock absorbers with double hydraulic bump stumps all-round. In addition, a new rear axle design (now with anti-roll bar) means roll stiffness is up by a massive 189% compared with the regular Mokka Electric.
Vauxhall also claims that the Mokka GSE Rally’s high-voltage components – such as the motor, battery, inverter and wiring harness – are used in the Mokka GSE production car. However, it’s worth noting that items such as the battery (51kWh useable) are shared with the regular Mokka Electric.
Changes to the exterior styling are subtle, but include a revised front and rear, with new bumper designs and a different grille insert, plus GSE logos and aerodynamically optimised 20-inch wheels.
Inside, meanwhile, customers get alcantara GSE sport seats with integrated headrests, alloy sport pedals and a flat bottom (and top) steering wheel. Infotainment graphics and functionality unique to the GSE – including G-force meter and timer function – also feature.
Expect range to be less than the standard Mokka Electric’s 250 miles when the GSE goes on sale in August, with first deliveries by end of the year. No word yet on price, but a figure north of £40k is likely.
James heads up our automotive video activities in the UK and is responsible for video on CAR magazine. Usually found in front of camera, he is also an amateur race driver and has tested most of the supercars that matter over the last few years. James also contributes reviews, videos, news and advice across our sister website Parkers.co.uk.
By James Dennison
Head of automotive video for CAR magazine, its sister website Parkers.co.uk and Motorcyle News.
