Latest news with #CorsaRallyElectric
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Opel reveals new electric rally car of the future prototype
Opel has become the first manufacturer to develop an all-electric rally car built to the FIA's new eRally5 regulations with the unveiling of its prototype Mokka GSE Rally. The German manufacturer has been one of the leading marques in electric rally car production having enjoyed success with its Corsa Rally Electric, which is used in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, enjoying its fifth season this year. Advertisement Now the car maker has taken the covers off its latest electric rally car prototype, the Mokka GSE Rally which will make its debut at ELE Rally Eindhoven this weekend. The car is the first vehicle built to the FIA's eRally5 regulations devised in 2022 for cars largely based on two-wheel drive production-spec models featuring a stock motor, inverter and battery. 'For more than four years, Opel and the ADAC have been demonstrating that electric rallying works and excites,' said Opel and Vauxhall CEO Florian Huettl. 'With our new Opel Mokka GSE Rally, we are offering a glimpse of a fully electric next generation rally car thanks to the latest motorsport technology the prototype offers strong performance and power aplenty.' Opel Mokka GSE Rally Opel Mokka GSE Rally Opel Opel Advertisement According to Opel, the Mokka GSE Rally will deliver 'performance on a par with a Rally4 car' with the vehicle producing a peak output of 207 kW (280 hp) and torque of 345 Newton metres. It features a multi-plate limited-slip differential and a racing gearbox, together with reinforced drive shafts and wheel hubs bolted to a lightweight chassis. The software tuning for the engine and battery management has been designed for maximum efficiency, driveability under competitive conditions and performance. To ensure the highest safety standards, the car's battery is shrouded in a special casing. In the unlikely event of an insulation issue, a visual and acoustic warning system immediately reports a malfunction. Advertisement In the event of a sudden deceleration (such as in a collision), a sophisticated sensor system completely shuts down the high-voltage system in a few tenths of a second. In addition, the Mokka GSE Rally has a special extinguishing system with electrically non-conductive extinguishing agent. Opel believes the Mokka GSE Rally could be ready for competition in 2026. To read more articles visit our website.
Auto Express
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally points to upcoming sporty all-electric crossover
The Vauxhall Mokka has carved a reputation as a competitive small SUV thanks to its affordability, solid kit list and overall efficiency – but it's no performance car. Now, though, the British brand is looking to change that with the new GSE Rally. As a prototype, you won't see the Mokka GSE Rally out on the road, but it does give us our best look yet at what to expect from the upcoming Mokka GSE, which Vauxhall officially teased recently. Vauxhall has history in taking a humble EV and turning it into a fully-fledged rally car. Back in 2019, the firm unveiled the Corsa e-Rally (now named Corsa Rally Electric) for the one-make Opel Electric Rally Cup. Auto Express even had a passenger ride in the Corsa Rally Electric in 2023 and, as you'd expect, it felt far removed from the production car. Advertisement - Article continues below The Mokka GSE Rally is the first car that's been developed for the FIA's new eRally5 regulations and while it gets a suite of upgrades for motorsport, it's the connection to the new Mokka GSE that will excite most. Vauxhall claims the Mokka GSE Rally's front-mounted electric motor produces 276bhp and 345Nm of torque, identical numbers to the new Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce and Abarth 600e. Both of those cars from parent company Stellantis sit on a modified Perfo eCMP version of the eCMP architecture used on the standard Mokka Electric. Along with the GSE Rally, we expect the technical underpinnings of the hot Alfa and Abarth EVs will be used in the new Mokka GSE too – further underscored by the fact this prototype utilises a limited-slip differential, like the Italian cars. There are some elements of the rally car we don't expect to make production, however. To help with off-road ability, the Mokka GSE Rally gets reinforced drive shafts and wheel hubs, uprated MacPherson struts and uniball mounts on the front axle, as well as a rigid rear axle with modified springs and dampers. There are also no electronic driving aids such as ABS, ESP, traction control or lane-keep assist. To complement its higher output electric motor and rally revisions, the Mokka GSE Rally also sports an intriguing livery with 'OMG! GSE' branding and a mix of bright yellow and grey. Away from the roof scoop, bonnet pins and towing eyes, elements such as the black bonnet (which was a feature of the old Grandland GSe), larger brake set-up and yellow trim could all potentially arrive on the new Mokka GSE. The new Mokka GSE Rally prototype will be shown off to the public for the first time at the next round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup in the Netherlands on 23 May. Click here for our list of the best performance cars ...
