2026 Rally season: Opel Mokka GSE Rally to promise Grand Sport Electric in ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup

• New name: Electric competition to be called ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup
• New car: Opel Mokka GSE Rally to replace Opel Corsa Rally Electric
• All the know-how, twice the power: Mokka GSE Rally with 207 kW (281 hp) and 345 Newton metres of torque
• Opel supports rally stars of tomorrow: Cup proven springboard for young rally drivers

Good news for motorsport fans and rally talents alike. Opel and ADAC have announced some exciting changes for the 2026 rally season. Going forward, the world's first electric one-make rally cup will be called ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup. Furthermore, the participants will no longer face the challenging stages in the Opel Corsa Rally Electric – instead they will show their talents in the 207 kW (281 hp) Opel Mokka GSE Rally, the first car currently being developed according to the FIA's new eRally5 regulations. The 2026 season of the GSE Rally Cup is set to take place across seven rounds in six different European countries and will begin in May with the ELE Rally in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

"With the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, Opel and ADAC have created the world's first one-make electric rally cup. Five successful seasons impressively prove that sustainable motorsport works and combines strong performance with thrills. Our Opel Corsa has shown that its electric drive system is absolutely reliable, also under rally conditions. Within our GSE strategy, this cup stands for approachable, electric performance and is a successful springboard for young rally talents, as we demonstrated with numerous successes in higher rally classes. With the new Mokka GSE Rally, the 2026 season will definitely be very exciting again", said Rebecca Reinermann, Vice President Marketing Opel and Vauxhall.

ADAC Sport President Dr. Gerd Ennser said: “The innovative concept of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup is a prime example of how to successfully combine the work with young talents and electric motorsport. ADAC is a pioneer for more sustainability in motorsport, and with the early extension of our cooperation with Opel we are sending a strong signal for electric rallying. Our Cup is the talent factory of Europe’s rally champions: Numerous drivers who began their careers here, have successfully established themselves on national and international stages.”

Power, performance, thrills: New Opel Mokka GSE Rally

Teams and drivers can look forward to getting their hands on the Opel Mokka GSE Rally, the first car currently being developed according to the FIA's new eRally5 regulations. With a peak power output of 207 kW (281 hp) it is more than twice as powerful as the Opel Corsa Rally Electric (100 kW/136 hp). In combination with 345 Newton metres of torque and sophisticated motorsport technology, it promises performance on a par with a Rally4 car. A multi-plate limited-slip differential and a racing gearbox, together with reinforced drive shafts and wheel hubs, provide powerful propulsion. The chassis was manufactured in a lightweight design. The perfectly tuned rally suspension from Bilstein consists of reinforced McPherson struts and uniball mounts on the front axle as well as a rear axle with modified springs and dampers. Based on the experience gained from the Corsa Rally Electric, the software tuning for the engine and battery management has been designed for maximum efficiency, drivability under competitive conditions and performance. The battery corresponds to the series version with a storage capacity of 54 kWh.

"Since the launch of this pioneering motorsport project, our Opel Corsa Rally Electric has demonstrated season by season its reliability, robustness, and impressive performance – even under most demanding rally conditions. Now we're taking it to the next level: I had the chance to experience the Mokka GSE Rally in action at the Rally Stemwede in northern Germany. Seeing the motorsport fan reactions to our future rally car shows that we are heading in the right direction with our GSE label and that it has been a good decision to develop a Mokka GSE as series model for Opel customers," said Marcus Lott, Senior Vice President Stellantis Lead Engineering Central Europe.

In addition to ensuring outstanding performance, extremely high safety standards have been retained. Like the Opel Corsa Rally Electric, the Mokka GSE Rally also has a roll cage (certified by the FIA), rally seats with six-point seatbelts, a special encapsulation of the battery and an additional underride guard. The 400-volt system is continuously monitored by the Master Alarm Indicator. In the unlikely event of an insulation issue, a visual and acoustic warning system immediately reports a malfunction. In case of a sudden deceleration (such as in a collision), a sophisticated sensor system completely shuts down the high-voltage system in a few tenths of a second. In addition, the Opel Mokka GSE Rally has a special extinguishing system with electrically non-conductive extinguishing agent.

Electric motorsport and talent pool: Opel supports rally stars of tomorrow

"The cooperation between ADAC and Opel is the perfect embodiment of successful talent promotion. We both support the rally stars of tomorrow, and our common philosophy is paying off: Over 224 male and female drivers from 22 nations have taken their first steps in professional rallying since the 2013 season. The best of them made it into the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team and caused a real stir at European level. Six JERC driver titles including this year’s championship of Calle Carlberg speak for themselves,” added Jörg Schrott, Head of Opel Motorsport. “But not only the rally youngsters and their thrilling battles have been crucial to the success of our cup. The technological maturity of the Opel Corsa Rally Electric also speaks for itself. Its near-production electric propulsion stands for innovation, quality and reliability made by Opel. With this rally engagement, we prove once again that electric mobility is suitable for everyday use and electrifying and reliable for motorsport alike. I am really looking forward to the 2026 Cup season with our new Mokka GSE Rally."

Since 2013, the champions of the former ADAC Opel Rallye Cup and the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’, which was launched in 2021, have automatically been promoted to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team where they have put their undoubted skills to the test in the Opel Corsa Rally4 in the Junior European Championship. This year, Calle Carlberg brought home Opel’s sixth title in the last decade and the Swede followed in the footsteps of Emil Bergkvist (Sweden, 2015), Marijan Griebel (Germany, 2016), Chris Ingram (England, 2017), Martins Sesks (Latvia, 2018) and Laurent Pellier (France, 2022). After having won the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup this year, Tom Heindrichs will be promoted into the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team next year.

Thrilling Finale to 2025 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’: Tom Heindrichs Takes the Title

• Dramatic ending: Rollover on the last stage of the Central European Rally costs Alex Español the title
• Debut win: Marcel Neulinger celebrates his first Cup race victory at the Central European World Championship round
• Eye-catching displays: Opel Mokka GSE thrills in front of World Championship backdrop, strong rally debut for Fabian Vettel

The finale of the 2025 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ could not have been more dramatic. Until the last special stage, the Spaniard Alex Español and the Belgian Tom Heindrichs fought for every point at the Central European Rally (CER). When it came to the decisive ‘Power Stage’ (SS10) on Sunday afternoon, the Iberian was virtually a mere three points ahead. Full attack, all or nothing, was the motto for both. In the case of Alex ‘Sito’ Español, it was nothing in the end. A few kilometres before the finish, the Opel España driver lost control of his vehicle in a very fast passage and rolled over. Thanks to the high safety standards of the Opel Corsa Rally Electric, both Español and his co-driver Borja Odriozola emerged unscathed.

This cleared the way for second-placed Tom Heindrichs to win the championship: “It will take a while before everything sinks in,” admitted the 21-year-old from the German-speaking part of Belgium, who, as always, was guided by the announcements of his co-driver Jonas Schmitz. “It was a tough season in which not everything always went according to plan. But we accepted every challenge. That made us strong and helped us to keep a cool head in this close final. I'm sorry for Sito, he was an enormously strong opponent. We also had our moments in the Power Stage, but we brought home the title and are extremely happy about it.”

Thanks to this triumph, the younger brother of the reigning World Rally Champion Thierry Neuville will join the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team and will take on Europe's best rally talents in the FIA Junior European Rally Championship in an Opel Corsa Rally4 supported by Stohl Racing. “That was our goal,” Heindrichs beamed. “I'm extremely proud of the whole team and of Jonas, who did a fantastic job. I can only thank all the partners without whom this would not have been possible. I've never learned as much as I have this season!”

Marcel Neulinger was equally happy with his first race victory in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. The Austrian took the lead in the standings alongside co-driver Jakob Ruhsam on Friday afternoon with the first two of a total of four special stage best times and did not relinquish it until the finish. After the ‘Power Stage’ and a total of 127 special stage kilometres, his lead over second-placed Heindrichs was only 2.1 seconds! “The victory feels fantastic,” said the 20-year-old.

In third place, Christian Lemke and co-driver Jennifer Gräfe celebrated another podium finish to end the season. Narrowly missing the podium, but once again strong with two special stage best times, the French brothers Anthony and Adrien Rott finished fourth ahead of the German duo Kilian Nierenz/Milena Raithel. The pair from Upper Franconia thus secured third place in the final standings.

Jörg Schrott, Head of Opel Motorsport, was also excited the thrilling finale: “Today two hearts beat in my chest. On the one hand, the finale could not have been more fantastic: a whole season was decided in the very last special stage, at the highest level. Both title aspirants had to demonstrate exactly what makes motorsport so fascinating – namely to give it their all in full concentration. On the other hand, there is this discrepancy between the one who rightly celebrates and will start next year in the works team in the Junior European Championship, and the other who would have deserved it, gave everything and ended up on the roof. Sito now goes home as runner-up, having been at the top of the table since the beginning of the season. This is motorsport in all its facets, united in an incredibly thrilling finale.”

“Sensory overload” for guest driver Fabian Vettel

Away from the thrilling title fight, Fabian Vettel made an impeccable rally debut in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. “My ultimate goal was to have fun,” stressed the brother of four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, who was perfectly guided by Gino Kruhs and finished a good tenth in the end. Vettel: “I think I approached the matter with realistic expectations. That was a real sensory overload for me. Every day I learned a lot of new things and had new challenges to overcome. I tried to do my best and continuously improve. At least I was not world apart from the experienced Cup drivers. I think I need to come back ...”

Grand entrance of the fast electric cars in Hauzenberg

Like last year, the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup set up its service area in Hauzenberg. The Corsa Rally Electric and the new 207 kW (281 hp) Opel Mokka GSE Rally, which Junior European Champion Calle Carlberg piloted as a lead vehicle, became the top attractions in the small town northeast of Passau. On Sunday, the speedy electric cars rolled across the market square and gave visitors a close-up view of the world's first electric rally one-make cup.

Final standings 2025 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’:

1. Heindrichs            190 points

2. Español                 172 points

3. Nierenz                 159 points

4. Lemke                   134 points

5. Kamermans           129 points

6. Neulinger               122 points

7. Wittenbeck             86 points

8. Rott                        83 points

9. Jungnickel              63 points

10. Eertmans              62 points

11. Steitz                    54 points

Three-Way Battle for the Title in the Season Finale of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’

• Sixth round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup at the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg
• Dutchman Fabian Kamermans celebrates first victory in the Opel Corsa Rally Electric
• Alex Español increases lead over Tom Heindrichs

Fabian Kamermans secured his first victory in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ at the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg with a dominant performance and thanks to a perfect tyre choice. After twelve special stages over around 108 kilometres, the Dutchman and his co-driver Stefan Müller were 11.1 seconds ahead of the German duo of Kilian Nierenz and Milena Raithel. The Bavarians, for their part, pipped Spaniards Alex "Sito" Español and Borja Odriozola by a mere 1.7 seconds. Español thus increased its lead in the overall standings over the Belgian Tom Heindrichs by eight points. The brother of World Rally Champion Thierry Neuville and his co-driver Jonas Schmitz finished fourth in the asphalt rally around Lübbecke.

At the season finale from October 16 to 19 as part of the Central European Rally, which is part of the World Rally Championship, three drivers still have a chance of winning the title: Español leads Heindrichs by twelve points, while Nierenz is 29 points behind and has to hope that his rivals are off the pace. At the World Championship round around Passau, a maximum of 35 points are still up for grabs.

The right choice of tyres sets the course for victory at the Rally Stemweder Berg

A preliminary decision for victory at the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg, which is part of the German Rally Championship, was already made in the third special stage on Friday evening. As the only ones in the field, Kamermans/Müller had the right nose and put their Opel Corsa Rally Electric on rain tyres. Promptly, it began to rain immediately before the start of the stage, whereupon the Dutch duo built a significant lead of 18.6 seconds.

But even after that, Kamermans did not merely manage his lead but consolidated his advantage with three more special stage best times. “The first win feels great. Of course, the perfect tyre choice on Friday evening played into our hands. It was clear that we had to keep our concentration and still continue to attack. In the second stage on Saturday morning, we had a real moment of shock, but then we approached the rest of the rally as if it had only just begun. That was the key to this victory. To win here after the last rally, in which pretty much everything went wrong, is just great," said Kamermans.

Even though his title chances are likely to be only mathematical in nature, Kilian Nierenz was highly satisfied with second place, the fourth podium finish this season: “We started the rally perfectly with two best times. The rain on Friday evening surprised us as much as everyone except Fabi. He was simply smarter there. On the second day I made a few mistakes, so we are all the more happy about this second place. It was close, it was exciting, and it was a lot of fun again. Our goal now is to secure third place overall at the finale."

Third-placed Alex Español set three stage best times, including those in the final Power Stage, and was pleased with the increased lead in the overall standings: “Like most others, we made the wrong tyre call on Friday evening. So the plan for the second day was clear: full attack, take as many points as possible. That worked out great, and the fact that we were able to win the Power Stage at the end and take the five bonus points gave us a little more breathing space in the standings. Nevertheless, we will go into the Central European Rally fully focused, as we have done in all previous rallies. Because that's the only way you can win the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup."

ADAC Sports President Dr. Ennser enthusiastic, Fabian Vettel excited

As part of the development program, Opel racing legend Volker Strycek once again piloted the new 207 kW (281) hp Opel Mokka GSE Rally as the lead vehicle over the special stages of the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg. The electric powerhouse is the first rally car being developed according to the FIA eRally5 regulations, which come into force in 2026.

For the second time after the 2024 Mont-Blanc Morzine Rally, Dr. Gerd Ennser took part in a Cup race. Alternating with his son Fabian, the ADAC sports president drove an Opel Corsa Rally Electric as a preceding vehicle and enjoyed the experience: "The ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup is unique. For the ADAC, it is important that electrification in motorsport progresses. I've been a big rally fan since I was young and always thrilled when I have the opportunity to be active in a rally car myself. I'm not as competitive as the boys anymore – but it's still a lot of fun!"

First and foremost, fun will also be the focus of a prominent guest driver in three weeks. As part of the season finale of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, Fabian Vettel (26) will make his rally debut. The brother of four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel will share the Corsa Rally Electric with experienced co-driver Gino Kruhs at the Central European Rally.

Standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ after 6 rounds:

1. Español        172 points

2. Heindrichs    160 points

3. Nierenz         143 points

4. Kamermans   121 points

5. Lemke           109 points

6. Neulinger        88 points

7. Wittenbeck      71 points

8. Rott                 63 points

9. Jungnickel       57 points

10. Eertmans       52 points

11. Steitz             42 points

Opel Takes European Rally Junior Championship with Calle Carlberg

• Barum Czech Rally Zlín: Opel Junior Carlberg clinches the title early at the penultimate round of the season
• Successful ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team: Sixth European Championship title in nine years
• Talent factory: ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ as a springboard for young rally drivers

Opel has reaffirmed its supremacy in the Junior European Rally Championship (JERC), which has lasted for a decade. At the Barum Czech Rally Zlín in the Czech Republic, the Opel Junior and 2023 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ overall winner Calle Carlberg (25) takes the European Championship title early at the penultimate round of the season. It is already the sixth Junior European Championship title win for the brand with the Blitz after Emil Bergkvist (Sweden, 2015), Marijan Griebel (Germany, 2016), Chris Ingram (England, 2017), Martins Sesks (Latvia, 2018) and Laurent Pellier (France, 2022).

Opel is thus once again proving the success of the concept for promoting young rally talents staged together with the ADAC. No other programme can boast such a track record in the last decade. Since 2013, the champions of the former ADAC Opel Rallye Cup and the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ – the world's first electric rally one-make cup, which has been held since 2021 – have automatically been promoted to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team where they put their undoubted skills to the test in the Corsa Rally4 in the Junior European Championship. This year, Carlberg and his Austrian teammate Luca Pröglhöf, the 2023 and 2024 Electric Cup champions, set the standards in the field of the continent's best junior rally drivers.

At the finish in Zlín, the new European champion Calle Carlberg was almost at a loss for words: "This is the best day of my life. A dream has come true. To have won this title together with Opel is something very special for me. The support I have received from Opel in recent years is difficult to put into words. Without Opel, I wouldn't be here now. I can only thank everyone who has accompanied me on this incredible journey."

Opel Motorsport boss Jörg Schrott praised all those involved: "We had the best driver in Calle, the best team in Manfred Stohl's team and the fastest car in the strong field of Europe's best rally talents in the Corsa Rally4. This sixth European Championship title is clear proof of the high level at which the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team has been operating for a decade. The fact that we have once again succeeded in guiding a champion from our one-make cup to the European Championship title proves the consistency and high level of youth development that Opel is the only automobile manufacturer to pursue with such consistency and effectiveness. My thanks go to all those involved. The sixth JERC title makes us proud and is both recognition and incentive for the future."

The finale of the Junior European Rally Championship 2025 will be held from 3 to 5 October as part of the Rally Croatia around the Croatian capital Zagreb.

Fastest All-electric Opel: Impressive Opel Mokka GSE Revealed

• OMG! GSE: New Opel Mokka GSE brings high-performance rally feeling to serial production
• Peak power: 207 kW (280 hp), 345 Nm torque, 200 km/h top speed, from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds
• GSE highlights: Opel Mokka GSE Rally-inspired design plus special suspension and 20-inch wheels

High-performance, all-electric serial production models are what Opel has teased under the ‘OMG! GSE’ abbreviation. And the brand with the Blitz is once again keeping its promises: Opel recently announced that the Opel Mokka GSE 1, inspired by the prototype Opel Mokka GSE Rally, will go into serial production. Now Opel is showing the first pictures of the exciting high-performance model. The new Mokka GSE will be nothing less than the fastest battery-electric Opel – packed in a unique GSE and rally design and equipped with specific technology.

“The new Opel Mokka GSE brings motorsport energy to the streets. After five years pioneering in electric motorsport with the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, we have put our best engineering, power, and handling into a car made for daily thrills. With its striking design, sharp handling, and outstanding performance, the Opel Mokka GSE is made to turn heads and thrill the driver. We can't wait to get it into the hands of our car loving community soon,” said Rebecca Reinermann, Vice President Marketing of Opel and Vauxhall.

OMG! GSE power: 207 kW (280 hp), 200 km/h and special GSE technology

Above all, the new Opel Mokka GSE impresses with its strong performance. With a peak output of 207 kW (280 hp), the serial production electric car will be just as powerful as its motorsport counterpart. And with an immediate torque of 345 Newton meters, it accelerates just as uncompromisingly. From a standing start it can reach 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds – and with a top speed of 200 km/h, it will soon be the fastest all-electric Opel. Mokka GSE drivers can choose from three distinct drive modes: In ‘Sport’ mode, the electric car is set up for performance and delivers its full power; in ‘Normal’ mode it reaches up to 180 km/h and in ‘Eco’ all settings are trimmed for the greatest possible efficiency. The Mokka GSE stores its energy in a 54 kWh lithium-ion battery.

Its kerb weight of less than 1.6 tonnes, which is exemplary for a battery-electric vehicle, and the sophisticated technology, which was also inspired by the rally prototype, also contribute to the exceptional performance. For example, the Opel Mokka GSE has front-wheel drive with Torsen multi-plate limited-slip differential as well as a chassis with specially designed axles and new double hydraulic shock absorbers. All high-voltage components of the standard Opel Mokka GSE, such as the motor, inverter, battery or wiring harness, come from the Opel Mokka GSE Rally. The steering system, chassis and brakes have also been designed to be particularly sporty and optimised thanks to Opel's experience in electric rallying.

OMG! GSE design: Arouse emotions with GSE and rally accents

The new Opel Mokka GSE also confidently conveys its ‘inner values’ to the outside world. While the well-known and successful Opel Mokka already turns heads with its characteristic design, new colours, new cockpit and top technologies, the new Opel Mokka GSE shows at first glance: It can be even faster and more exciting and emotional! GSE-specific inserts inspired by the rally prototype adorn the compact electric car on the front apron and at the rear. Safe contact with the road is ensured by the wheel-tyre combination specially developed for the Opel Mokka GSE. The new aerodynamically optimised 20-inch alloy wheels combined with the Michelin Pilot Sport EV 225/40 R20 tyres are only available for the Mokka GSE at Opel. Within the strikingly designed rims in GSE design, the yellow GSE brake calipers stand out.

 And finally, the yellow and black GSE lettering on the front and sides make a further clear statement.

This claim is also confirmed by the interior of the new Opel Mokka GSE. Grey/black, white and yellow are the predominant colours. The driver and co-driver sit on special Alcantara GSE sports seats with integrated headrests, which optimally integrate the driver into the vehicle. A white line that extends across the centre of the covers and yellow stitching give the seats their characteristic look. Furthermore, Alcantara door inserts are further proof of the attention to detail. 

The steering system, which was newly developed for the Mokka GSE, and steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom, promise direct feedback while aluminium sports pedals await acceleration and braking commands.

The necessary information is provided to the driver by the 10-inch digital driver information display that can be customised in many ways and the central colour touchscreen. This contains GSE performance data, G-force display, acceleration values, battery management data and much more. The displays were also designed in the typical GSE style. The new Opel Mokka GSE is characterised by a technically high-quality and highly dynamic design down to the smallest detail, both inside and out.

With all these components, the standard Opel Mokka GSE will also deliver true OMG! GSE moments in everyday use in the future! Further information on the world premiere and market launch of the new Opel Mokka GSE will follow shortly.

[1] All data are provisional. Vehicle not yet homologated and not yet available.

Tom Heindrichs Wins Third Round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ 2025

• Belgian Heindrichs dominates the action at Rally Vosges Grand-Est
• Championship leader Alex Español and German Kilian Nierenz complete the podium
• Opel Mokka GSE Rally prototype inspires drivers and fans in the Vosges

Tom Heindrichs dominated the third round of the 2025 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ 2025. At the Rally Vosges Grand-Est in northern France, the 21-year-old Belgian and his co-driver Jonas Schmitz were the fastest in seven of the eight special stages in their Opel Corsa Rally Electric and had an impressive lead of 52.8 seconds over championship leader Alex ‘Sito’ Español and his co-driver Borja Odriozola at the finish in Gérardmer. Kilian Nierenz and co-driver Milena Raithel won an exciting three-way battle with the Austrians Marcel Neulinger/Silvano Winkler and the Germans Christian Lemke/Jan-Eric Bemmann and secured their second podium place of the season. In the overall standings, Español's lead over the new runner-up Heindrichs is now 17 points.

At the finish, winner Heindrichs¸ brother of World Rally Champion Thierry Neuville, was satisfied: "After the start of the season did not go quite to plan for us, we are all the more pleased with this win. The fact that we were able to win seven out of eight stages here shows that we are on the right track. Now it is important to keep at it and make up more ground on Sito in the championship. We are looking forward to the next events in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup."

Kilian Nierenz was no less happy, after moving up into third in the overall standings thanks to another podium finish: "The rally was awesome! At the shakedown, we were really shocked at how challenging but also beautiful the route is here. Tom was outstanding, but we're super happy with third place and the second fastest time in the Power Stage. Opel Corsa Rally Electric also worked great on these hard tracks and we were able to gain a lot of valuable experience again. It was a lot of fun!"

Opel Mokka GSE Rally: Prototype causes a stir on and at edge of track

New all-electric Opel Mokka GSE Rally also caused a stir among French rally fans. Opel veteran Horst Rotter and his co-driver Conny Nemenich drove the 207 kW (280 hp) prototype as an advance vehicle over the demanding special stages and gained further important insights in the development of the powerful electric car. "The car already works really well and is a lot of fun with its high torque of 345 Newton meters," Rotter praised.

"As in the past two years, the Vosges Grand-Est Rally has proven to be a challenging but also very enjoyable event for our young participants," said Jörg Schrott, Head of Opel Motorsport. "The fact that all the cars saw the chequered flag in Gérardmer speaks for our teams and the qualities of the Opel Corsa Rally Electric. Tom Heindrichs put on an outstanding display. Above all, I am happy about the great performances of Marcel Neulinger and Thyrsa Eertmans, who have impressively shown their potential here. And our new Mokka GSE Rally has left a strong impression on the French fans."

Teams of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ will now take a short summer break. The fourth round of the world's first electric rally one-make cup will take place on August 15 and 16 as part of the ADAC Saarland-Palatinate Rally around St. Wendel.

Standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ after 3 of 7 rounds:

1. Español                   91 points

2. Heindrichs              74 points

3. Nierenz                   72 points

4. Lemke                     69 points

5. Kamermans            55 points

6. Neulinger               42 points

7. Wittenbeck            35 points

8. Jungnickel              28 points

9. Eertmans               27 points

10. Steitz                    23 points

11. Rott                      19 points

12. Raftery                 10 points

Opel Mokka GSE Rally: A New Star in Electric Rallying

• World premiere: Opel Mokka GSE Rally prototype impresses spectators at the ELE Rally in the Netherlands
• Leader of the pack: Alex Español wins second round of the 2025 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’
• Pursuers: Dutchman Fabian Kamermans and German Christian Lemke finish on the podium

With his second victory of the season, Spaniard Alex "Sito" Español extended his overall lead in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ at the ELE Rally in the Netherlands. After an exciting competition, the Iberian and his co-driver Borja Odriozola pipped the Dutch crew Fabian Kamermans/Stefan Müller by 13.6 seconds in adverse conditions with rain and slippery tracks. Germany's Christian Lemke and his co-driver Pascal Raabe, who replaced the injured Jan-Eric Bemmann, finished third. "It was hard work," said Español. "I was under enormous pressure the whole time. I'm really happy with my second win of the season and would like to see it continue like this. But I know the other fast guys will try to prevent that."

However, the secret star at the ELE Rally was something else: The new Opel Mokka GSE Rally celebrated its premiere in front of a large audience, including more than 50 guests from Opel Belgium and Opel Netherlands, during the asphalt race around Eindhoven. Opel motorsport legend Volker Strycek was behind the wheel of the 207 kW (280 hp) electric rally car from Rüsselsheim, which boasts a torque of 345 Newton meters. Rebecca Reinermann, Vice President Marketing at Opel and Vauxhall was also thrilled as she climbed into the passenger seat of the all-electric prototype at the ELE Rally

Despite Opel Mokka GSE Rally grabbing some of the attention the other drivers were fully focussed on ensuring an exciting competition in their Opel Corsa Rally Electric rally cars. With two special stage best times, Español took the lead in the standings on Friday and did not relinquish it until the finish late on Saturday evening, although Christian Lemke was always breathing down his neck. After the eleventh special stage, only two tenths of a second separated the leaders. Only one stage later, Lemke lost about half a minute but attacked again in the last two stages and thus pushed guest driver Timo van der Marel off the podium. "It was a lot of fun," said the German happily. "Despite the difficult conditions, it was a nice rally, although not an easy one. The car was great, we were able to keep up with the speed of the front runners over the two days and are very satisfied overall."

Van der Marel had fought a tough duel with Fabian Kamermans for the title of best local throughout the rally. Kamermans, who like Español, van der Marel, Lemke and Belgian Tom Heindrichs, who finished fifth, achieved at least one best time in a special stage, was delighted with the best Cup result of his career: "It's a great feeling to be on the podium at my home rally. Of course, I would have liked to win, but Sito was incredibly fast. The fight in the top 6 was crazy. With the best time and the five bonus points in the Power Stage, we almost got the maximum out of it, are now in 3rd place in the overall standings and are happy. It could hardly have gone better." Kilian Nierenz and Milena Raithel, who had finished on the podium at the opening round in Sulingen, finished sixth.

“This was a very special event for Opel,” said Jörg Schrott, Head of Opel Motorsport. “Our new Opel Mokka GSE Rallye generated a lot of attention at the ELE Rally. The car left a strong impression visually, acoustically and in terms of performance. The fight for the top in the Cup standings was again extremely exciting. Five drivers have set at least one stage best time, which speaks for the high level of balance in the field. Opel has made a strong statement for electric rallying here in the Netherlands.”

The third round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ will take place on June 14/15 at the Rallye Vosges Grand-Est. The pacey electric cars will set up their service park in St.-Dié-des-Vosges.

Points standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ after 2 of 7 rounds:

1. Español                             64 points

2. Lemke                                53

3. Kamermans                       48

4. Nierenz                               46

5. Heindrichs                          41

6. Wittenbeck                         25

7. Jungnickel                          20

8. M. Neulinger and Steitz     both 18

10. Eertmans                           13

ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup 2025: Exciting Battles at Season Opener

• Kick-off at the ADAC Rallye Sulingen: Spaniard Alex Español celebrates first win of the season
• Top placings: With Christian Lemke and Kilian Nierenz, two German drivers finish on the podium

ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup has made a successful start to its fifth season at the ADAC Actronics Rallye Sulingen. After an exciting battle, which was sometimes decided by fractions of a second in the Opel Corsa Rally Electric, the Spaniard Alex "Sito" Español and his co-driver Borja Odriozola prevailed. After around 108 kilometres of special stages and two special stage best times, the Iberians were 8.1 seconds ahead of the Germans Christian Lemke/Jan-Eric Bemmann and the newcomers Kilian Nierenz/Milena Raithel. “That was a great start,” said a delighted Español. “In the first special stages we had to find our speed first, but from Saturday morning the confidence was back. That was a hard piece of work, so we're all the happier with the win.”

Last year's Sulingen winner Christian Lemke was also satisfied with his start to the season: “We worked a lot over the winter – in terms of cooperation in the cockpit as well as in the car set-up. All of this has borne fruit. We didn't risk anything on the last stages. Sito drove a great rally, and the competition is extremely strong again. The goal has to be to pick up points regularly in order to hopefully be among the front runners at the end of the season." Elsewhere, newcomer Kilian Nierenz was beaming: “It just went great. We didn't expect to challenge for the lead and even win the Power Stage in the end. We gave everything and are now really happy. Of course, we will continue to do our best.” Fourth place went to the winners of last year's Cup final at the Central European Rally, the Belgians Tom Heindrichs and Jonas Schmitz.

Close together: Strong field of participants promises exciting season

Balance in the field of 15 Opel Corsa Rally Electric was remarkable. In addition to the four drivers already mentioned, the Frenchmen Anthony and Adrien Rott as well as the Austrian Maximilian Lichtenegger and his German co-driver Pascal Raabe each achieved a special stage best time. Guest driver Sebastian Lange was also strong. The winner of the 2024 ADAC Clubsport Rally Sprint and his Cup-experienced co-driver Paul Gehbauer made their mark with a fifth and sixth fastest time, among other things, but slipped into a ditch twice and thus out of the standings.

Aoife Raftery and Hannah McKillop made a successful debut in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. The Irish, who otherwise compete in the Junior European Championship, got along better and better with the Corsa Rally Electric, which was new to them, and finished eighth in the end. “It was not only our first rally in the Cup, but also our first rally in Germany. There was a lot to learn,” admitted Raftery. “I was surprised by the good performance of OCorsa Rally Electric, especially the high grip level that the car offers. It's important to take the speed with you and let the car run. We will benefit from this experience in other rallies. We felt very comfortable in the Cup. Everything is well organised, all crews have the same material, so everything is fair. It was a great experience.”

Opel Motorsport boss Jörg Schrott drew a thoroughly positive conclusion from the start of the fifth season of the world's first electric rally one-make cup: “15 teams from seven nations fought an exciting battle. Above all, I was impressed by the numerous newcomers, even if in the end the veterans prevailed again. Our new charging infrastructure worked perfectly, as did the vehicles. This start to the season has whetted the appetite for more."

Second round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup 2025 will take place on May 23/24 as part of the ELE Rally around Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

Standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup after 1 of 7 races:

1. Español                                30 points

2. Lemke                                  29

3. Nierenz                                 27

4. Heindrichs                            22

5. Kamermans                          18

6. Wittenbeck                           14

7. M. Neulinger                        12

8. Raftery                                 10

9. Jungnickel                             8

10. Rott                                     6

11. Steitz and Lichtenegger   both 5

Emotional, Electric, Exciting: Opel Motorsport Looks Back on Successful 2024 Rally Season

• Electrifying fourth season of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”
• Luca Pröglhöf becomes first Austrian to lift title in electric rally cup
• Diverse field: Teams from eight countries, eight female drivers

ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” has once again turned heads on the international rally scene in its fourth season. Up to 16 of the near-production, 100 kW (136 hp) Opel Corsa Rally Electric once again provided exciting rally sport and battles for position for tenths of a second in the world's first and to date only electric rally one-make cup. The diversity in the field of participants was greater than ever: teams from eight nations (Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Belgium, Hungary, Sweden and the Netherlands), including a total of eight female drivers, set standards. With the two-time DTM champion Timo Scheider and the Austrian motorcycle legend Matthias Walkner, two seasoned motorsport pilots made guest appearances and tested their skills against the up-and-coming talents. Especially Scheider impressed by finishing a remarkable fifth place at the start of the season as part of the ADAC Rally Sulingen.

In his second season, Luca Pröglhöf proved to be the driver to beat. Alongside his co-driver Christina Ettel, the 25-year-old Austrian from Sittendorf near Vienna celebrated a total of four victories this season and thus clinched the title before the grand finale at the Central European Rally. For the second time, the Opel Corsa Rally Electric took part in this round of the FIA World Rally Championship and demonstrated its strong performance in front of 125,000 spectators and international media. The other victories in one of the eight cup races in five countries were celebrated by Christian Lemke (Germany), Alex Español (Spain), Jérôme Chavanne (France) and Tom Heindrichs (Belgium), half-brother of the newly crowned rally world champion Thierry Neuville.

Eight female drivers in the field also attracted a lot of attention: Emma Chalvin and Alizée Pottier (both France), Esmée Den Hartigh (Netherlands), Pia Steffe (Austria), Lyssia Baudet (Belgium), Hannah Jakobsson (Sweden) along with the Germans Claire Schönborn and Ann Felke pushed their male rivals throughout the season. With Chalvin, Baudet, Schönborn and Felke, four Opel drivers were invited to the international “Beyond Rally” women's screening in Poland which is hosted by the promoter of the World Rally Championship. Both Baudet and Schönborn not only qualified for a place at the Junior World Championship stage at the Central European Rally, but will even fight for a cockpit for the entire Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) 2025 next February as part of a shootout at the Rally Sweden.

ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team: Big challenge for Luca Pröglhöf

With his brilliant performances, this year's ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup champion Luca Pröglhöf qualified for promotion to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team. There he will try to follow in the footsteps of his successful predecessors in the Junior European Rally Championship (JERC) next season. A total of five Junior European Championship titles by Emil Bergkvist, Marijan Griebel, Chris Ingram, Mārtiņš Sesks and Laurent Pellier testify to the high ambitions of ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team. In the 2024 JERC season, the 2023 and 2022 Cup champions Calle Carlberg and Timo Schulz also caused a stir with second and fourth places overall.

Opel Motorsport boss Jörg Schrott's expectations for the upcoming rally season are therefore high: “The international perception and interest on the part of organisers and teams in ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup have grown steadily over the past four years. We are already working hard on the 2025 season. With seven attractive events in five countries and a once again very international field, the fifth season of our innovative Cup also promises a lot of excitement. With Luca Pröglhöf, a promising talent is once again promoted from the Cup to ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team. I'm excited to see how Luca and Dina will do in the fight against the best youngsters in Europe. We are looking forward to the coming rally season, which will once again bring many challenges for Opel, but hopefully also successes.”