Vauxhall's GSE Rally prototype is a beefed-up Mokka with 280bhp

While the regular Vauxhall Mokka might not be especially memorable, this new GSE Rally prototype certainly appears to be. Folks, we could well be looking at a Mokka that’s actually exciting.

That’s because this Mokka GSE Rally is the first ever car developed in line with FIA’s new eRally5 regulations. That’s right, Vauxhall is taking the Mokka racing. The GSE Rally is set to make its debut in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup between 23-24 May.

So, how has Vauxhall turned the standard Mokka into a rally car? By fitting fancy Bilstein suspension and a racing gearbox. It even has a limited-slip differential, reinforced drive shafts as well as modified front and rear axles. So far so good.

There's the same 54kWh battery as the road car, but here it's powering a beefier electric drivetrain, with outputs boosted to 280bhp and 254lb ft of torque. Everything's been tweaked for better efficiency and drivability, too.

Naturally it forgoes driver aids, so there’s no ABS, ESP, lane-keep assist or traction control. Instead you get an FIA-certified roll cage, and rally seats fitted with six-point harnesses.

Visual changes over the road car are fairly obvious. Because there's no missing the roof air intake, brighter paintwork, yellow brake callipers, new wheels, and that giant 'OMG' decal. How very... dignified.

"With our new Mokka GSE Rally, we are offering a glimpse of a fully electric next-generation rally car," said Vauxhall/Opel boss Florian Huettl. "Thanks to the latest motorsport technology, the prototype offers potent performance and power in equal measure.” Now stick all of that into a road car, please.