Autotest: Auf zu großem Fuß – so fährt sich der Opel mit Rallye-Genen
Opel will mit dem Kürzel GSE wieder sportlicher werden. Den Auftakt macht der Mokka. Mit Sport-Update soll das Modell echtes Rallyegefühl bieten. Doch das hat seinen Preis.
Düsseldorf – While it may seem unusual for companies to announce fitness goals at year-end, when executives at car manufacturers utter this phrase, they are usually discussing more than just dieting. The focus is often on brand identity and maximizing profit margins. This is because the inclusion of high-performance tires and engine power tends to increase the price of sporty models.
It's no wonder that Stellantis' subsidiary Opel is now striving to preserve the brand's sporting legacy in the era of electric vehicles. Even though the German marque may not be the first to come to mind when thinking of motorsport, Opel boasts a successful rally background. In 1982, Walter Röhrl drove an Ascona 400 to the World Championship title.
For their road cars with sport mode, the brand relies on a three-letter abbreviation: GSE. This will be used to label future electric models that are particularly sporty. The abbreviation has a rich tradition: in the 1960s, Opel had already built the Commodore A GS/E with a particularly powerful drivetrain. GS stood for Grand Sport, while the E initially represented Injection.
Opel designed these cars as sporty vehicles for the middle class, offering performance at a bargain price.
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