Vauxhall Astra GSE review | faster Astra will appeal to user-choosers

We’ve not really paid much attention to ‘performance’ Vauxhalls in the past, certainly not since the introduction of CO2-based company car tax rate. No, for Fleet News the likes of Griffin-badged SRI and VXR models have had little to offer our audience - but things are changing.

Vauxhall is on a mission to electrify its entire model range and part of that process includes the launch of GSe, its new electric sub-brand. GSe models make use of electric or hybrid powertrains, with a sportier twist.

The new Astra is the first car to undergo Vauxhall’s GSe treatment. The Astra GSe is fitted with the same powertrain as the regular plug-in hybrid ‘Hybrid-e’ model, but power has been turned up from 180PS to 225PS. There’s also some new bumpers, sports seats, revised steering settings and lower, firmer suspension.

Vauxhall expects the new GSe model to resonate well in the fleet sector, offering a higher degree of desirability for user choosers and stronger residual values.

A 12.4kWh battery provides a 40-mile zero-emission range, which places the Astra GSe in the 8% benefit-in-kind band. Monthly tax bills sit at just £54 for a 20% taxpayer and it should manage around 50mpg in real-world driving.

The powertrain is already used extensively across the Stellantis line-up, in each case paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. We have our reservations about the setup. It works best in smaller cars, like the Astra and Peugeot 308, but all-told is just a little bit underwhelming for anything purporting to be sporty.

The automatic transmission, which incorporates the electric motor, is unresponsive to small changes in driver input and, when you do wind the 1.6-litre petrol engine up to generate maximum power – achieved by mashing the throttle pedal - the engine surges into life with a dull and strained soundtrack.

In the regular Astra it’s not too much of a problem because it suits that car’s nature, but in the sportier GSe it feels a little lacking.

Still, this is the fastest Astra on sale and performance is ample with 0-62mph taking 7.5 seconds. The changes to the car’s chassis and steering, however, have had a more positive impact on the way it drives than the modest power boost.

The Astra GSe is fitted with new shock absorbers that can adapt to the road surface and your driving style. There’s no manual control, they just do it on their own. It means the Astra can soften up its ride at lower speeds, such as around town, then firm up when driven more aggressively. In practice, the GSe feels much firmer than a regular Astra all the time but is more capable in the bends.

Sitting at the top of the Astra line-up, the GSe comes with a high level of specification including adaptive cruise control, heated seats and keyless entry. It also uses Vauxhall’s new Pure Panel dashboard, which integrates two digital displays to form the instrument cluster and infotainment system.

We can’t fault the Astra’s interior, with the GSe’s new Alcantara sports seats both supportive and comfortable.

But…. It doesn’t really feel like a ‘sporty’ model. The GSe is just a slightly better version of the existing Astra plug-in hybrid, which in turn is just a slightly worse version of the Peugeot 308. So, in launching the GSe, Vauxhall has levelled up against its in-house rival with a car that offers similar dynamics to the excellent 308, but without the divisive i-cockpit cabin layout.

Fans of old fast Vauxhalls may not like the Astra GSe very much, then. But, as a fleet car the GSe is much more commendable.