Vauxhall is setting the stage for its return to the hot hatch segment, and the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo is an extreme preview of what’s yet to come. The fully-electric model employs a pair of 469bhp motors on each axle, for a combined output of 789bhp and 590lb-ft (800Nm) of torque. A boost function delivers an extra 79bhp for four seconds at a time.

Despite having a sizable 82kWh capacity battery aboard, the car tips the scales at just 1,170kg. The concept makes use of lightweight materials, including Bcomp - a flax-based fibre - for the front wheel arch extensions. As a result, it boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 674.4bhp/tonne, and 0-62mph is dealt with in just 2.0 seconds. The top speed stands at 199mph - 23mph faster than the Lotus Carlton. To ensure the car performs in the corners, Bilstein pushrod suspension features at each corner, and Goodyear rubber surrounds the staggered 21”/22” alloy wheels.

The Corsa GSE concept takes hints from Opel and Vauxhall’s racing heritage, with extreme flared arches protruding from the relatively narrow body, much like the DTM and British Touring Car models of the early 2000s. Measuring 4.19m long when stationary, the car grows in length while on the move, as the front splitter and rear diffuser extend to reduce drag, improve aerodynamic performance, and maintain stability at high speeds. Air is sent over the car through a nose-mounted S-duct, and towards the roof-mounted spoiler. When slowing down, the wing raises to act as an airbrake.

Inside, the cabin takes further inspiration from racing cars, with one seat, a six-point harness, and a roll cage. There’s no instrument cluster as such, just a head-up display, lights on the rectangular steering wheel for the status of boost mode, and backlit dashboard fabrics that display messages to the driver, and blind spot monitoring. Yet beyond the competition-ready concept elements, the car has more than just a hint of familiarity about it.

The slimline visor grille is something that the current Corsa introduced in 2019, and the illuminated Griffin badge and Vauxhall wordmark are making their way across the range as it gets refreshed. The forward-angled C-pillar and black contrasting roof are other elements from the current production hatchback that hide in plain sight, away from the attention garnered by the triangular spokes of the alloy wheels, and luminous yellow aerodynamic elements.

The Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo will make its public debut at the IAA Munich Motor Show in September 2025, and will be available for players of Gran Turismo 7 to drive in-game. As its name suggests, the car is the latest addition to the list of concept cars designed for the PlayStation title, and Vauxhall aren’t the first to preview a future production model with a car designed for the game. BMW, Bugatti, Mercedes-AMG, and Mini are among those who’ve released concepts into the digital world which has influenced their showroom offerings.

The Corsa GSE is a long-awaited addition to the range, and in production-guise it’s set to use the same limited-slip differential-equipped drivetrain as seen in the Abarth 600e, Peugeot e-208 GTi, and the Vauxhall Mokka GSE. It'll offer 276bhp, a driving range of just over 200 miles, and should be priced around £35,000 to compete with the Alpine A290 GTS.

While not every element of the Vision Gran Turismo's design will make it to the road, the concept shows elements of a more expressive design language for the reborn sub-brand, and a taste of what Vauxhall could do if they put the Renault 5 Turbo 3E in their crosshairs.