Opel Motorsport has developed a prototype GSe rally car according to FIA’s new eRally5 regulations with a top performance of 207kW (280hp) and 345Nm of torque.
“For more than four years, Opel and the ADAC have been demonstrating that electric rallying works and excites. With our new Opel Mokka GSe Rally, we are offering a glimpse of a fully electric next-generation rally car. Thanks to the latest motorsport technology, the prototype offers strong performance and power aplenty,” said Opel and Vauxhall CEO Florian Huettl.
The serial production of the Opel Mokka has been used as the foundation for the new Mokka GSe Rally, although the rally car features a very different inside. A multiplate limited-slip differential and a racing gearbox, together with reinforced drive shafts and wheel hubs, provide powerful propulsion. The chassis was manufactured in a lightweight design. The tuned rally suspension from Bilstein consists of reinforced McPherson struts and uniball mounts on the front axle, as well as a rigid rear axle with modified springs and dampers. Electronic driving aids such as ABS, ESP, lane-keep assist and traction control are all absent on the Mokka GSe Rally. Based on the experience gained from the Corsa Rally Electric, the software tuning for the engine and battery management has been designed for maximum efficiency, drivability under competitive conditions, and performance. The battery corresponds to the series version with a storage capacity of 54kWh.
“The Mokka GSe Rally will make Opel Motorsport fans’ hearts beat faster and give them real ‘OMG! GSe!’ moments. The electric rally prototype proves that our GSe sub-brand will hit the next level in 2025: with electric thrills and high-level performance true to our rich motorsport heritage,” said Rebecca Reinermann, vice president, marketing at Opel and Vauxhall.
Elsewhere, the extremely high safety standards have been retained. Like the Opel Corsa Rally Electric, the Mokka GSe Rally also has a roll cage (certified by the FIA), rally seats with six-point seatbelts, a special encapsulation of the battery and an additional underride guard. The 400-volt system is continuously monitored by the proven Master Alarm Indicator. In the event of an insulation issue, a visual and acoustic warning system immediately reports a malfunction. In the event of a sudden deceleration (such as in a collision), a sophisticated sensor system completely shuts down the high-voltage system in a few tenths of a second. In addition, the Mokka GSe Rally has a special extinguishing system with electrically non-conductive extinguishing agent.
In related news, last year was a topsy-turvy one for the works manufacturers in Rally1, with regulation changes that flip-flopped seemingly at the FIA’s whim keeping teams guessing when it came to their short-term and longer-term development plans… How did the WRC lose its hybrids and what does this mean for 2025? Click here to read the full story.
