Cars

Opel Astra GSe: familiar abbreviation, new meaning

GSE is a well-known abbreviation at Opel. She was already standing on the back of the Opel Commodore GS/E or Monza GSE. Now the Rüsselsheim-based company is reviving these three letters, but with a (partially) different meaning: GSE used to stand for “Grand Sport injection”, today it’s called “Grand Sport electric” – that’s why the e is also lowercase (GSe).

Opel announces that the abbreviation will stand as a new sub-brand for sporty models with electrified drives. The first are the Opel Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe.

Opel Astra GSe

With the abbreviation GSe at the rear: The Opel Astra Sports Tourer also comes as a sporty plug-in hybrid.

The two plug-in hybrid Astras will in future represent the top models in the series, with a system output of 165 kW (225 hp) and a maximum torque of 360 Nm. Nothing is known about acceleration or range. But what Opel has already revealed: The GSe models are designed to be more agile and precise. Among other things, steering, braking and suspension were adjusted.

Optical details reveal the sporty streak

And so that it is clear at first glance that there are a few more horses waiting for a clear path, Opel has made some adjustments compared to the normal Astra.

Opel Astra GSe

These 18-inch rims are already familiar – from the all-electric one-off Opel Manta GSe.


Station wagon and sedan are now ten millimeters lower and on eye-catching 18-inch alloy wheels. The new wheels might look familiar, coming from the Opel Manta GSe – the historic Manta A that Opel gave an electric drive in 2021.

But at the latest at the rear it becomes clear what is different about this Astra, because there the lettering “GSe” is emblazoned.

Special seats for the GSe models

In the interior, Opel continues the sporty line: at the front there are performance seats that are reserved exclusively for the GSe models. In addition, the Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe come with an Alcantara interior.

Opel Astra GSe

Special performance seats and Alcantara upholstery in the new Opel Astra GSe.


Opel wants to be fully electric by 2028, and the electrified Astra models are another step in that direction. According to Opel, the GSe sub-brand combines sporty driving fun with (locally) emission-free driving.

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