A Vauxhall Mokka and motorsport are two of the most unlikely bedfellows, yet thanks to the FIA’s new eRally5 category, the small crossover is the ideal candidate for a griffin-badged entry. Strict regulations means the competition cars are set to be close relations to their roadgoing counterparts, and while that doesn’t mean a bunch of EV homologation specials snapping at the heels of the GR Yaris, Vauxhall will no doubt be aiming to use the series to foster credibility for their recently announced resurrection of the GSE badge. 

The first car built to the new regulations, the GSE Rally is powered by a front-mounted motor producing 276bhp and 254lb-ft (345Nm) of torque, and just like the Abarth 600e road car, a mechanical limited-slip differential is installed, but the Mokka features a racing gearbox. Whether that’s a single or multi-gear transmission remains unknown. Power is drawn from a 54kWh capacity battery, with software tuned for performance, and efficiency in the competitive field.

The suspension has been reworked, with Bilstein struts and uniball mounts on the front axle, with modified springs and dampers at the rear. The driveshafts and wheel hubs have been reinforced to cope with competitive use. The roof-mounted scoop, quick-release bonnet pins, and stripped-out interior complete the rally-ready modifications for the compact crossover. A roll cage, six-point harness, and automatic battery monitoring system help to keep the driver and co-driver safe.

Otherwise the Mokka shares a lot with the current production model, and cars from the wider Stellantis portfolio. Looking beyond the black, silver, and yellow livery reveals redesigned bumpers, additional air inlets, enlarged brakes, and the fitment of 20” wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres - items that are found on the Abarth 600e, and the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce.

The reveal of the rally-ready Mokka comes hot on the heels of Peugeot confirming the return of the GTi badge, and us being reliably informed that discussions were taking place about Opel and Vauxhall’s own fast future. Weeks later, the twin brands confirmed GSE - which stands for Grand Sport Electric - as their united performance sub-brand, as opposed to the split OPC/VXR monikers of the early 2000s. 

Although the GSE badge has been around for a few years on the Astra and Grandland plug-in hybrids, future models will be electric. As such, the competition model serves as our first official preview of the upcoming Mokka GSE road car.

The 276bhp LSD-equipped drivetrain is already being used by Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia in the 600e, Junior Veloce, and Ypsilon HF respectively, and the Mokka GSE should follow suit. Our money is on a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds, and a top speed of 124mph flat out.

We expect a WLTP range of around 200 miles from its 54kWh battery, three driving modes with varying power and torque levels, and some of the finest driving dynamics in the compact crossover class courtesy of that limited-slip differential. The Mokka GSE Rally will make its competition debut ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup between 23-24 May, and we’ll see the roadgoing model later on this year.