Introduction: Opel Goes All-In on Electric Rallying
The Opel Mokka GSE Rally isn't a test bed. It's a fully developed electric rally prototype aimed at winning. Built for the FIA eRally5 category, this electric SUV sets new benchmarks in performance, durability, and safety—three key areas that determine a rally car's success.
Rallying has long resisted electrification due to demands for endurance, repairability, and predictable power delivery. The Mokka GSE Rally addresses all three with engineering that blends electric power with motorsport-proven hardware.
Powertrain: Torque, Traction, and Transfer You Can Trust
The Mokka GSE Rally runs a 207 kW (280 hp) electric motor and delivers 345 Nm of instant torque to the front wheels. For context, that’s more power than a current-generation Ford Fiesta Rally4, making it a serious contender in its class.
Powertrain Specs:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Motor | 207 kW (280 hp) |
| Torque | 345 Nm |
| Battery | 54 kWh Lithium-Ion |
| Voltage Architecture | 400V |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Gearbox | Motorsport-specific single-speed with limited-slip differential |
This powertrain allows rapid torque modulation—critical for rally stages with mixed traction surfaces like gravel, snow, and tarmac. The multi-plate limited-slip differential and electric throttle mapping allow for consistent control, corner after corner.
Battery Technology: Endurance Without Compromise
The 54 kWh battery pack isn’t just bolted in—it’s integrated with a full thermal management system to maintain consistent performance. Designed to withstand high current draw, it supports aggressive acceleration without risking overheating or degradation.
Fast facts:
- Battery is located low in the chassis for better weight distribution.
- Liquid cooling system maintains optimal temperature across varying stage conditions.
- Includes regenerative braking, improving range and reducing pad wear.
Charging times haven’t been finalized, but Opel is targeting DC fast-charging compatibility to minimize downtime during multi-day rally events.
Chassis & Suspension: Built for Competitive Abuse
Rallying punishes every component. The Mokka GSE Rally’s chassis uses a reinforced body-in-white platform combined with a welded FIA-grade roll cage to deliver torsional rigidity and impact safety.
Suspension Design:
- Front: Reinforced McPherson struts with rally-tuned dampers by Bilstein.
- Rear: Custom axle setup optimized for energy transfer and weight bias.
- Ride height: Adjustable to accommodate surface variability.
- Travel: Extended for better absorption on jumps and washboard terrain.
This setup gives the car the stiffness it needs for sharp turn-in and the compliance it needs for rough terrain. Bilstein's rally experience ensures durability across full-stage cycles.
Braking System: Predictable Stopping Power
Every rally driver needs reliable brakes. The Mokka GSE Rally delivers that with ventilated disc brakes on all four corners and a motorsport-grade pedal box.
Specs:
| Position | Disc Size | Caliper |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 355 x 28 mm | 4-piston |
| Rear | 290 x 12 mm | Single-piston |
There’s no servo assist, just raw pedal pressure—providing consistent feel, even under repeated high-speed deceleration. The regenerative system also reduces physical brake load by recapturing kinetic energy on downhills and slow entries.
Safety Systems: Designed for Real-World Rally Crashes
Unlike track racing, rallying involves trees, rocks, and cliff edges. The Mokka GSE Rally anticipates failure points and builds safety from the ground up.
Key safety features:
- FIA-homologated roll cage and Kevlar side-impact protection.
- Six-point harnesses and fire-retardant racing seats from OMP.
- Non-conductive fire suppression system, certified for high-voltage electric environments.
- 400V high-voltage circuit monitoring with automatic isolation in the event of fault or impact.
Every driver system complies with FIA Appendix J safety regulations for electric vehicles in rally competition.
