At Auto Zürich 2025, the car that had my attention almost instantly was the Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo. I had seen the press images from its IAA 2025 debut, but it looks so different, and so much more dramatic in person. It’s like someone has transformed a Corsa into a full-blown electric race car for both the track and the PlayStation.
Design
Standing next to it, what struck me first was how low and wide it is compared to a normal Corsa. The STLA Small platform, which is expected to spawn the first cars for Stellantis next year, gives Opel the freedom to push the wheels to the corners, lower the roofline, and carve out those huge fenders.
The “Opel Compass” theme is very clear when you’re standing next to the car. A slim Vizor with an illuminated Blitz in the center, horizontal light bars and vertical lighting together form a glowing cross. The rear repeats that motif with a thin, crisp brake light and bold “OPEL” lettering, giving it a futuristic vibe, while being recognizable as an Opel.
You notice the aerodynamic details when you walk around the vehicle. The blade-like fender extensions, the aero curtains in the front and rear, and the active diffuser and large spoiler add visual drama. While it is a show car, the surfaces seem to be shaped to cut through air efficiently at high speed.
I like how Opel designers have finished the exterior. It uses a pearl white body, bright yellow aero parts, and black elements on the roof and blades. The staggered 21-inch front and 22-inch rear wheels, with their yellow highlights and massive Goodyear tyres, complete the race-ready stance.
Interior
I got to peek into the cabin, and it was more stripped down than I expected. There are no big screens. A slim steering wheel frames a head-up display, and that is where the vehicle information appears. The suspended driver’s seat, six-point harness and visible roll cage don’t feel out of place, while the illuminated fabrics that warn of cars in your blind spot could actually be a great idea for production-spec Opels.
Specifications
The Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo is Opel’s “phygital” concept, existing both as a real show car and as a fully drivable car in Gran Turismo 7. Under the sharp bodywork, Opel imagines an all-electric powertrain with two 350 kW motors, one on each axle, for a combined 588 kW (800 hp) and 800 Nm of torque.
That is good for a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 2.0 seconds and a 320 km/h top speed, with an 82 kWh battery and a quoted weight of just 1,170 kg thanks to extensive lightweight materials.
Future of the GSE
Having spent some time with the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo in Zurich, I feel that Opel is using a “game car” to show some of the serious ideas it has for the GSE sub-brand. It is still a show car with theoretical specifications, but the design language, the focus on aero, and the small-car footprint all point toward future electric hot hatches wearing the GSE badge, both on the road and on the screen!
Also See: First Look Review: Cupra Raval is a gamechanger for the Spanish brand
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
