VAUXHALL ASTRA GSe

TESTED 23.1.23, MALAGA, SPAIN ON SALE JUNE | Vauxhall introduces Grand Sport Electric sub-brand with plug-in hybrid hatchback

- ILLYA VERPRAET

When we received an invite to try the Vauxhall Astra GSe, the new range-topper with mildly sporting aspirations, I must confess that I thought it was the electric Astra. It wouldn't have been the first time that a Stellantis EV were better to drive than its ICE equivalent, so it would have made sense and been a strong statement. Actually, though, the Astra GSe is a collection of familiar elements, the powertrain being the 224bhp plugin hybrid one used by many other cars, including the Peugeot 308: a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine assisted by a 107bhp electric motor and 12.4kWh battery.

In the Astra GSe hatchback, said battery is rated for an electric-only range of 40 miles, which means it incurs only 8% company car tax.

The slightly heavier Sports Tourer estate gives up only a single mile, but that's enough for it to be pushed into the 12% band, like most rivals.

The GSe sits above the Hybrid 180 in the Astra range and additionally gets a more dynamic suspension set-up with a 10mm-lower ride height, Koni frequency-selective dampers and a more permissive electronic stability control system.