Opel proves that SUVs can be just as good a base for rallying as their ICE hatchback counterparts
- The Opel Mokka GSE Rally is built to meet the FIA’s new eRally5 regulations.
- The rally car boasts a distinctive livery, a roof scoop, new wheels and bumpers.
- It will be followed by a roadgoing Mokka GSE performance EV later this year.
Opel has given its GSE performance sub-brand for electric vehicles a fresh update, and before the first production model hits the streets, they’ve already rolled out a rally car. Named the Mokka GSE Rally, it’s a more rugged, performance-focused version of the compact SUV, featuring an electric powertrain and a suite of chassis upgrades.
Visually, the rally-ready Mokka stands out with a special livery featuring black, gray, and yellow graphics. It rolls on large alloy wheels with yellow brake calipers, and the sporty front and rear bumpers, along with a roof-mounted intake, set it apart from the standard Mokka Electric.
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Some of these features, like the more aggressive body kit, will likely carry over to the roadgoing Opel Mokka GSE. This performance version of the electric SUV is expected to debut in late 2025, likely sharing specs with its mechanically similar counterparts, the Abarth 600e and Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce.
Back to the rally car, it is compatible with the FIA’s new eRally5 regulations and will eventually replace the Opel Corsa Electric Rally that has been around since 2019. The SUV is fitted with a single electric motor delivering 278 hp (207 kW / 280 PS) and 345 Nm (255 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a multi-plate limited-slip differential and a racing transmission.
The 54 kWh battery pack is carried over from the Mokka Electric but gets added protection with a special encapsulation and underride guard. Chassis upgrades include a rally-spec suspension from Bilstein, with reinforced McPherson struts in the front and modified springs and dampers on the rigid rear axle. Additionally, the ABS, ESP, and traction control systems have been removed, giving drivers full freedom to push the Mokka to its limits across various terrains.
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The interior of the rally car has been stripped out, and features a FIA-certified roll cage, as well as a pair of bucket seats with six-point harnesses. For safety, the 400-volt system will automatically shut down in the event of a collision, while the fire extinguishing system features an electrically non-conductive extinguishing agent.
Opel plans to offer the Mokka GSE Rally to private customers and teams starting in the 2026 rally season, but before that, you’ll get a chance to see the prototype in action at the ELE Rally Eindhoven in the Netherlands, set for May 23-24. This event is part of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, which will feature the Corsa Rally Electric, another electrified rally contender.