Since the inception of Vision Gran Turismo concepts in GT6 back in 2013, 35 such designs have emerged. Historically, a Vauxhall Vision GT, especially one bearing a Corsa badge, seemed an unlikely prospect. However, the Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo has arrived, a magnificently deranged concept that seamlessly blends high-end conceptual lunacy with practical hints for future production. This all-electric marvel is powered by two electric motors, delivering a total of 800bhp and 590lb ft of torque. All-wheel drive contributes to its barmy acceleration, achieving 0-62mph in a mere two seconds, with a top speed of 199mph. The vehicle is equipped with an 82kWh battery and maintains an overall weight of just 1,170kg, showcasing a potent power-to-weight ratio.

While set to debut in GT7 this autumn, the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo transcends the realm of video games. The 'GSE' in its name signifies Vauxhall's ongoing redefinition of its performance sub-brand for the electric era. Beneath its comically steroidal exterior lies the Stellantis group’s new STLA global BEV platform, offering subtle clues about the upcoming Corsa production car. The next all-new Corsa is anticipated by 2027, offering both petrol hybrid and pure electric powertrains, though only the EV variant will feature as a sporty GSE model. Design chief Mark Adams noted that this concept serves as a means to connect with a younger audience, particularly in the UK and Germany, which are significant gaming markets.

The concept's design channels strong Eighties Group B WRC vibes, fused with the obligatory Gran Turismo techno aesthetic, playing brilliantly fast and loose with Vauxhall (and Opel’s) ‘bold and pure’ design philosophy. The 'want one' factor is notably high, with a hard-won sharpness and precision evident in its execution. Key design highlights include its interlocking forms, with audacious yellow sections scything through pearl white areas. The front of the car presents an ingenious shovel-nosed reimagining, capitalizing on the absence of a traditional engine (with batteries located under the floor). The visor nose treatment, a recurring design element, reaches its peak here.

Further distinguishing features include an illuminated Griffin emblem at the center of a fresh design signature, the ‘Compass,’ which emanates outwards, providing the car’s visual backbone. This theme is echoed at the rear, where the ‘Compass’ is expressed in the Vauxhall badge and brake light. The active aerodynamics are hard to miss, featuring a giant yellow diffuser and a rear spoiler that doubles as an airbrake, adjusting downforce as required and extending 25cm to increase it on long straights. A profusion of triangular elements, including a wheel design that echoes the alloys on the Eighties Nova SRi, further enhances its aggressive stance. The aero wheels, 21in upfront (black and yellow) and 22in at the rear (white over yellow), are not fully faired-in to preserve brake performance. Blistered arches, made from a 40 percent more sustainable flax composite material supplied by Bcomp, help tidy up turbulent airflow.

According to Mark Adams, the design process encouraged the team to express themselves, leading to a blend of technical prowess with beauty, incorporating softer shapes and forms to avoid brutality, and focusing on sharp, meaningful transitions between surfaces. The interior is equally powerful and unapologetically racy. Drivers climb over fat sills and drop into a seat with its upper part fixed to the roll cage. An oblong steering wheel frames a head-up display, while the minimalist cabin features adjustable pedals due to the fixed seat. Information is projected onto illuminated fabrics covering the dashboard and door inserts, a technique its creators call ‘painting with light.’ Exposed screw heads and visible structural elements inside mirror the exterior's approach. The dash and door panels also light up to warn of blindspot racers or flash pit crew messages like “BOX, BOX”.

A unique feature is the