Vauxhall transforms the Mokka into a 280-hp electric pocket rocket

Vauxhall decided to inject a serious dose of caffeine into its electric lineup. The company is reviving its historic GSe performance badge, but this time it's not for gasoline engines or even hybrids. The new GSe nameplate will exclusively represent the brand's fastest, fully electric cars, and its first entry is a surprising one: a high-performance version of the Mokka Electric crossover.

The new Vauxhall Mokka GSe isn't just a cosmetic upgrade. It's a full performance overhaul that nearly doubles the power of the standard model. This new EV is designed to compete in the growing market for electric hot hatches, even if it comes in the shape of a compact SUV.

Under the skin, the Mokka GSe shares its components with some of its more exotic cousins within the Stellantis automotive group - the Abarth 600e and the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce. The new electric motor sends 280 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels, allowing the small crossover to sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. For a vehicle that started life as a practical city runabout, this level of acceleration puts it firmly in performance car territory.

To handle the extra muscle, Mokka's front gets a Torsen limited-slip differential to help prevent wheel spin and improve grip when accelerating out of corners. The rear of the car received a complete redesign, with a new axle featuring an anti-roll bar and firmer bushings. Vauxhall claims these changes increase the rear end's torsional stiffness by 189%, making the car feel much more planted and responsive during aggressive driving.

The upgrades don't stop there. The Mokka GSe also features more heavily weighted steering for better feedback, along with a serious braking system. The front wheels are fitted with large 15 inches Alcon brake discs paired with four-piston calipers.

The suspension has new dampers that include hydraulic bump stops, a feature typically found on rally cars, to provide better control over rough surfaces. All of this performance hardware rides on unique 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires. Despite all the additions, the vehicle's weight is kept under 3,527 lb.

Of course, with any performance EV, the question of driving range arises. The Mokka GSe uses the same 54 kWh battery pack as the standard model, which has a claimed range of about 247 miles. Vauxhall has not yet released official range figures for the GSe, but its platform-mates with the same motor achieve around 200 miles on a single charge.

Visually, the GSe stands out with neon yellow accents and gloss black panels on the bumpers. Inside, the sporty theme continues with Alcantara-trimmed bucket seats and a new G-force meter on the infotainment screen.

Pricing and exact availability have yet to be announced for the UK market, but looking at its relatives, we can make an educated guess. The Abarth 600e starts at $54,774, while the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce is priced from $58,097. Since Vauxhall is positioned as a value brand, we suspect the fastest Mokka will start from just under $55,000, maybe it will even undercut its Italian sibling.

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