The curtain glides to the side. Behind it: a silhouette in white, yellow and black. Flach, crouched, wide – the Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo. Florian Theis, Opel chief designer for Advanced Design, performs, puts his finger on the hood. “We knew quickly, it would be a small car,” he says. “But one who shows how much strength, emotion and future is in this segment.”
Digital meets in real world
Theis is the man who was responsible for the design of the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo – as usual, virtual at first. On the computer, with 3D equipment and data glasses, then as a Clay model, finally as a finished study. Twelve designers from Exterior, Interior and Color & Trim work with him, plus two dozen colleagues in the workshops.
They grind, mill, shape – until a car is like it from the future. A study that shows where GSE is going. And the two worlds connects: real and digital. The high -performers soon races in “Gran Turismo 7”, the famous racing simulation. 800 hp system output. 320 lace. In two seconds to a hundred. Everyone can drive it – digital.
Electrom motors on the front and rear axles: everyone does 476 hp, together they develop a system output of 800 hp.
The Advanced Design Team around Florian Theis gives an outlook on upcoming GSE models.
The lightweight sports seat integrates the driver into the driving process.
The front is determined by a slim execution of the Opel Vizor.
The concept vehicle measures four meters in length, two in width.
Theis stops in front of the front. “We have re-sharpened the Bold-& Pure form language,” he says. Large areas, clear edges, technical precision. A small car, yes. But with the attitude of a high performer. The Opel Vizor is slimmer, more precise. In the middle, the flash lights up, framed by sharp light strips that end in glass blocks. In addition, the vertical axis, emphasizes by the ironing fold, which moves from the bonnet to the bumper. “This creates a face that is immediately recognizable as Opel – day and night, from every corner.”
Courage in every line
The fenders are widened, air slits run through the body like sword slices. Aero-curtains that steer the air flow at the front and back. Aero wheels reduce turbulence in the wheel arches. At the rear: A diffuser that goes out when the speed is required. “This is how we bring in the car and grip on the street,” says Theis. The Rüsselsheimer Motorsport colleagues have worked on, aerodynamics optimized the current.
What catches the eye: the coloring. Pearl white for the body, strong yellow for aero elements, black for roof and fender. Triangles adorn spoilers and rims – a reminiscence of rally heroes such as the Manta 400. The tail light visually merges with the rear window, together with the brake light it forms the ubiquitous compass. The Opel lettering shines red in the center.
The active spoiler and diffuser ensure more or less downforce depending on the driving situation.
The body characterizes sharp and precise contours, combined with technical details.
Light construction elements in the exterior and interior consist of flax fibers.
The central leitmotif, the Opel compass, is also present at the rear.
Focused, pure racing driver experience is waiting in the interior.
If you want to drive the Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo, you don’t need a garage – a game console is enough.
Theis opens the door. Inside: pure reduction. A narrow steering wheel, milled from fully aluminum. Light construction sports seats, black and yellow, with a six-point belt. A roll cage, strict, functional. Everything looks like in the racing car, just finer. “The steering wheel is deliberately narrow so that the view remains clear,” he explains. Behind it: a head-up display. The most important data hover in the field of vision. “No driver needs more. Less is more.” If you can fall into the seat, you immediately feel the racing driver feeling. Hard, light, direct. “We wanted to create a cell that merges digitally and real,” says Theis. “A room that shows that the future of driving is not too much, but essentially.”
The Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo is a bridge. On the one hand, virtual-controllable via controller, rapidly quickly over pixel asphalt. On the other hand, message: Opel is serious about sportiness, dynamics, emotion. “We are lifting the GSE subordinate to a new level,” said Opel boss Florian Huettl at IAA Mobility, where the concept car celebrated world premiere. “The car gives an outlook on the future and will inspire car enthusiasts.” It is also a clear commitment to the small car – electrical, modern, efficient, emotional.
800 PS for everyone
Gran Turismo has been a pioneer for realistic driving physics and detailed vehicle models since the first release in 1997. From autumn 2025, gamers can send the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo to the slopes in the racing simulation on PlayStation 4 and 5. “We are very happy to be able to welcome Opel at Gran Turismo with such an exciting and innovative Corsa version,” says Kazunori Yamauchi, producer of the Gran Turismo series. The Opel study will be shown on September 20 at the Gran Turismo World Series in Berlin. Yamauchi: “We can hardly wait for the reactions of the fans.”
The reactions? Clearly.
AutoCar calls the study “imposing”. Auto Motor and Sport recognizes: Opel is serious about the GSE sports label. Car and Driver praises the technology. Lifestyle magazines celebrate the shape. In forums, fans discuss boost button and lightweight construction. Because the highlight is in detail: only 1,170 kilos of weight, despite the 82 kWh battery. Possible through light materials. In addition, a boost function that delivers 59 kilowatts extra for four seconds when overtaking. And grip brings all-wheel drive with two engines on the front and rear axles.
Theis resigns, his view follows the body line. For him, the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo is not just a show car. “He demonstrates which freedoms the STLA Small platform open in design and proportions.” From autumn, the higheper former is ready – not in the car dealership, but on the console. The first Opel that you can experience at home worldwide.
September 2025
Text: Tina Henze; Photos: Opel, Polyphony Digital