When the invite came in to drive the new Vauxhall Astra GSe, the new Vauxhall Astra range-topper with mildly sporting aspirations, I must confess that I thought it was the electric Astra. We know it’s coming, and it wouldn’t be the first time that a Stellantis EV was better to drive than its ICE relatives, so it would make sense and be a nice statement that Vauxhall is working on making EVs fun.
Instead, the Astra GSe is a collection of very familiar elements. The powertrain is actually just the 225PS plug-in hybrid we know from many other cars, including the Peugeot 308 and the Vauxhall Grandland. As in the other Stellantis hybrids, the 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine is assisted by a 107bhp electric motor and 9.9kWh (usable) battery.
In the Astra GSe hatchback, the battery is WLTP rated for an electric range of 40 miles, which means it incurs only 8% company car tax. The slightly heavier Astra Sports Tourer estate gives up only a single mile, but that’s enough for it to be pushed to the 12% band, like most rivals.
The Astra GSe sits above the Astra Hybrid 180 in the range and additionally gets a more dynamic suspension set-up, with a 10mm-lower ride height, Koni frequency-selective dampers and a more permissive stability control system. Standard equipment is also pretty generous, with a head-up display, matrix LED headlights, wireless charging and a suite of driver assistance features. Visually, it’s marked out as the GSe by unique 18in alloy wheels, a unique front bumper and a black roof.
For all its sporty badging, though, the Astra GSe feels like a particularly easy-going car. You sit in heavily bolstered sport seats but they’re also softly padded and supremely comfortable. You hold a steering wheel with a pleasantly thin rim, and as you move off silently on electric power, the ride doesn’t feel like that of a hot hatch either.
To the contrary, the Astra GSe is quite softly suspended, with little of the brittleness of the standard car. On the flip side, it exhibits a fair bit of roll in the corners for something with a sporty badge, and the grip provided by the Michelin Primacy 4 tyres is sufficient rather than tenacious. Sport mode adds some heft to the steering and ensures the engine is always primed to jump in, but it doesn’t affect the suspension. It ultimately feels quite harmonious, so the Astra GSe can be quite satisfying on a twisty road, but it’s never exciting.
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As for GSE being resurrected, it was GTE and GSi on Astra's iirc, was GSE even on any actual Vauxhall's? The Opel manta coupe maybe, but there wasn't really a vauxhall equivalent was there? Certainly not in my recollection, so I don't see the issue of using it, can't see how it sullies the name if few recollect it, or even care.
Cars are just so expensive now, but again, comparably priced to the golf equivalent etc, doesn't make these ridiculously high prices right though.
A woeful attempt a rekindling interest in a Car that's not worthy of the GSE moniker, the interior looks out of date, the rear Hatch looks a bit narrow, swap the Boot badge for a VW , you'd swear it was an ID4, black painted Alloys, as they get chipped from road debris they'll show up every scratch and dent, the front looks like it's not the final design, bland I'd say, sorry Vauxhall, yo7 could do better.
clearly designed to be a company car. Low tax, but high price, and i imagine once the plug in but is used, and its just a normal, but very heavy hybrid, it wont be that economical either.
If you dont go far then it would do most stuff without petrol, but thats only cost effective if you can plug in a home and get cheap over night electricity (while that lasts) or plug in at work for free. As soon as its running on petrol its just a very expensive Astra.
And why devalue the GSE badge. Its no hot hatch. Should have been called something else