Opel brings back the GSe badge for its electrified performance range

These cars will carry the GSe badge, which stands for "Grand Sport electric." This is an evolution of Opel's own GSE badge, which was placed on performance-oriented versions of the Commodore and Monza in the 1970s and 1980s. At the time, the "E" meant "einspritzung," the German word for "injection.

According to Opel, the modern GSe features sporty styling and chassis performance tuning. It is also likely to be the most powerful car in its respective model line, based on comments from Opel CEO Florian Hüttl.

"I am very pleased to announce the return of the GSe as the sporty sub-brand of our top of the range," he said in a statement.

Opel has not revealed which model will be the first to receive the GSe treatment, but rumors point to the latest Astra. The compact hatch and wagon currently boasts a maximum output of 221 hp produced by a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Opel is also known to be developing the latest Manta as an electric performance crossover, but the timing of its release is unknown.