Vauxhall has just unveiled its new Corsa GSe, its latest instalment in a long line of hot hatches which stretches back decades. Vauxhall has been keen to compare the GSe to the original Nova, too, which was a car that put Vauxhall on the map among enthusiasts.
Today, the electric Corsa GSe has several other accomplishments compared to its rivals, but what are they and what do they offer? Let’s take a look.
Abarth 600e
Abarth is well known for making go-faster versions of Fiats, but in more recent times it has switched its attention to electric models as well. The 600e is one of its latest, bringing a more focused and hardcore interpretation of the Fiat 600e. In classic Abarth fashion, the 600e gets larger-than-life styling and loads of character, but this is backed by exciting dynamics and a sporty interior.
Alpine A290
Alpine is a brand on the rise, having originally kicked off its rebirth with the petrol-powered A110. Its latest offering is the A290, which is based on the latest Renault 5 but brings a range of upgrades and enhancements.
Tweaked motors and a sharper suspension system help to make the A290 engaging to drive, while the beefed-up exterior helps the A290 to stand out even more than the standard 5.
Cupra Born VZ
Cupra might be on track to launch its new Raval this year, but its Born remains a great option – particularly in ‘hot’ VZ specification. Though it may have a single motor – some performance EVs adopt a twin-motor setup – with 322bhp it’s more than potent enough to keep things exciting.
Add in a range of typical ‘Cupra’ design elements, such as copper-coloured styling pieces, and you have a very exciting package.
Mini John Cooper Works
If there’s a model of car that most people think of when they imagine a ‘fun to drive’ model, it’s the Mini Cooper. Recently launched as an electric version to sit alongside petrol versions, the Mini Cooper is great to drive and feels nicely finished inside, too.
If you’re after an even more involving driving experience, then head in the direction of the John Cooper Works model. While its ride quality might be on the firm side, it can help to make a twisty section of road very exciting.
MG4 XPower
You might not associate MG with making high-performance cars, but it has done just that with the MG4 XPower. In fact, this rather understated-looking EV can out-pace many supercars thanks to its high-performance electric powertrain. It’ll manage 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds, in fact.
Despite this, the XPower is just as easy to live with and drive as the regular MG4, which means you can still take this exciting hot-hatch on your usual trips as well.
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX
Similar in design to the Cupra Born VZ, the ID.3 GTX is an electric alternative to Volkswagen’s famous GTI models. It uses the typical GTI recipe, too, taking the standard ID.3 and introducing a sharper driving experience courtesy of revised suspension settings and tweaked steering.
Inside, the ID.3 GTX is just as practical as the standard car, making this model a very usable day-to-day car as well.
SHARE: