Shortly after the announcement of the Astra GSe in both bodies, Opel has presented the next model of its electrified subsidiary and sports dyes, the Grandland GSe. Unlike the Astra, the SUV has a plug-in hybrid drive that combines a petrol block with two electric motors (one per axle). Those familiar with the Stellantis models will have already guessed it: it shares its innards with all the models on the group’s EMP2 platform.
300 hp and 520 Nm
As advertised by the brand, this combination gives the Grandland GSe a system power of up to 300 hp and 520 Nmwhere you will complete the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. In pure electric mode, it will not exceed 135 km/h top speed, while in hybrid mode it can continue up to 235 km/h. At this point, you may be wondering if there’s really any change from the all-wheel drive Grandland GS Line and Ultimate, as the GSe offers identical numbers with the same powertrain.
Well, what changes in the Opel Grandland GSe are some elements in the tuning of the chassis, to make it more dynamic, and in the aesthetic section, to make it more striking. In the first case, the lightning signature has mounted firmer springs and Koni FSD shocks (Frequency Selective Damping either Selective Frequency Dampers). The kits of suspension allows to enjoy different degrees of hardness without using any electronic component. When it comes to steering, it has a specific calibration.
Gloss black accents
The Grandland GSe seeks to communicate its athletic nature with 19-inch Manta GSe ElektroMOD-inspired wheels, a new diffuser and “GSe” badging on the tailgate. Tinting the hood black is optional, but matches the gloss black accents of the emblem, the air intakes of the bumper, the mirror housings, the roof, the spoiler, the rear apron and the wheels themselves. Like the rest of the range, the Grandland GSe paints all its original black plastic parts in the same tone as the bodywork.
Moving inside we find a pair of AGR-certified sport seats upholstered in Alcantara, adding more support with heavier headrests without sacrificing comfort or a supportive plus in lateral support. The rest of the cabin is shown without any changebeyond specific “GSe” logos that appear when you open and start the car, both on the 12-inch digital instrument panel and the 10-inch infotainment system, oriented slightly towards the driver.
We don’t know why Opel hasn’t used the more powerful 360hp DS 7 E-Tense plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV) to which it is mechanically related, but perhaps Stellantis wants to increase the differentiation between the sister models on the road. marks premium and the generalists under its umbrella. Opel hasn’t announced pricing for the Grandland GSe yet, but it’s safe to assume that it will be the most expensive model so far in its rangeabove the aforementioned Grandland PHEV 4×4 Ultimate.