Vauxhall has opened orders for the Astra Sports Tourer GSe, the latest model to launch under its GSe performance label.

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GSe stands for Grand Sport Electric and denotes models combining sharper looks and handling with electrified powertrains, including plug-in hybrids and fully electric editions.

The Astra Sports Tourer is the latest model to get the GSe treatment following the Astra and Grandland.

Priced from £43,250, it gets an uprated plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 180hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine connected to a 110hp electric motor, giving a total output of 225hp and maximum torque of 360Nm – that’s up from 180hp and 250Nm on standard Astra Sports Tourer plug-in hybrid variants.

The result is faster performance of 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 146mph.

The 12.4kWh battery enables an electric-only range of up to 39 miles and with emissions from 26g/km CO2, it means the Astra Sports Tourer GSe slots into the 12% Benefit-in-Kind bracket for 2023/24.

Not only has the powertrain been uprated, but Vauxhall has also given the Astra Sports Tourer GSe a unique suspension setup, fitting it with 11% stiffer springs plus Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology, developed by the specialists at Koni to deliver a smooth and balanced ride.

Steering has also been recalibrated; Vauxhall says response has been increased by 9% over standard models, giving better feedback at speed.

The Sport mode has also been adjusted, ensuring the electronic stability control (ESC) kicks in slightly later.

Bespoke GSe styling features also make the new model stand out on the road. The Astra Sports Tourer GSe has a 10mm lower profile due to the suspension and damping profile changes and also gains unique 18-inch wheels, a black roof and black Griffin logos.

The equipment list has also been beefed up. All Astra Sports Tourer GSe models come with IntelliLux adaptive LED pixel headlights and dark tinted rear window, while the interior gets  Alcantara-trimmed performance front seats, certified by Germany’s Campaign for Healthier Backs) and a GSe-specific leather steering wheel.

Onboard tech brings a Multimedia Pure Panel Pro Navigation system with a 10-inch digital instrument display and a 10-inch touchscreen with Natural Voice Recognition, along with wireless smartphone charging and the Intelli-HUD head-up-display technology.

Advanced safety and driver assistance features bring Intelli-Drive technology with forward collision alert and active emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Drowsiness detection is also included along with lane departure warning and traffic sign assistant, cross traffic and side blind spot alert and automatic speed assistant with stop function.