Tag Archives: Opel

NEW CARS

Opel GSE 27FE Revealed in Final Formula E Livery Ahead of 2026 Debut

Opel has officially unveiled the final race livery of the Opel GSE 27FE, marking another major milestone in the German manufacturer’s preparations for its debut in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The all-electric GEN4 race car will make its public appearance in its definitive colours at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, 2026, just weeks before Opel begins its first Formula E campaign.

The new livery transforms the aggressive prototype design used during testing into a distinctive visual statement for Opel’s return to top-level electric motorsport. Finished in a combination of black, metallic silver and Opel GSE Yellow, the GSE 27FE combines references to Opel’s motorsport heritage with a design language intended to communicate speed, energy and efficiency.

Alongside factory drivers Mitch Evans and Théo Pourchaire, Opel will use the Paris reveal to introduce its Formula E challenger to the public for the first time in final specification. Test and development driver Sophia Flörsch will also play a role in the programme.

Opel Takes GSE Performance Into Formula E

The GSE 27FE represents the beginning of a new chapter for Opel’s performance brand. GSE, which has increasingly become associated with Opel’s high-performance electric models, is now being transferred from road cars to the highly competitive world of Formula E.

“GSE stands for performance born in motorsport, engineered for the road and experienced far beyond it,” said Opel Vice President Marketing Rebecca Reinermann. “With Formula E, our performance brand is now entering the world’s fastest all-electric racing championship, at precisely the moment a new era begins with the GEN4 generation.”

For Opel, the timing is significant. The manufacturer is entering Formula E as the championship moves into its GEN4 era, bringing a new generation of electric racing technology and an opportunity for the brand to establish itself from the beginning of a new technical cycle.

The company says the final GSE 27FE livery reflects its ambition to become an important competitor rather than simply participating in the championship.

Black, Silver and Yellow Define the Opel GSE 27FE

Designed by Opel’s Global Brand Design team in Rüsselsheim, the GSE 27FE’s final appearance is based around three principal colours: black, silver and yellow.

The combination deliberately recalls some of Opel’s most recognisable historic motorsport designs, while giving those visual cues a distinctly modern and electric interpretation.

The graphics are not simply decorative. Opel says the design was created to represent three fundamental elements of Formula E: airflow, energy and efficiency.

“Airflow becomes linework, energy becomes colour and efficiency becomes precision,” explained Pierre-Olivier Garcia, Opel Global Brand Design Manager.

The result is a series of flowing graphic elements that follow the contours of the GEN4 car. Rather than covering the aerodynamic surfaces with excessive graphics, the design uses lines and colour blocks to emphasise the car’s proportions.

That should also make the GSE 27FE highly recognisable at speed, whether viewed from trackside, in the pit lane or through television and digital coverage.

New Silver Spine Becomes a Signature Element

One of the most significant additions to the final Formula E livery is a metallic silver spine running along the centre of the car.

Opel describes the feature as the visual backbone of the GSE 27FE. Beyond its aesthetic purpose, the silver element is intended to symbolise the relationship between driver and machine — combining human instinct with the precision of electric racing technology.

The philosophy extends to the smallest details.

A discreet “Designed in Germany” signature reinforces Opel’s German engineering identity, while the “Opel GSE 27FE” designation identifies the manufacturer’s first Formula E machine.

According to Garcia, every element has been deliberately positioned rather than added simply for visual effect.

“Every graphic element has a clear position, a clear function and a clear reason to exist,” he said.

That philosophy fits particularly well with Formula E, where aerodynamic efficiency, energy management, software and data are just as important as outright power.

GSE Yellow Represents Electric Energy

The most dramatic element of the design is undoubtedly Opel GSE Yellow.

The bright yellow graphic sections cut through areas of exposed carbon fibre, giving the GSE 27FE a strong visual identity while connecting it directly to Opel’s growing GSE performance family.

“In Formula E, energy decides the race – and for Opel, energy has a colour: GSE Yellow,” Garcia said.

The colour is intended to communicate movement and energy without making the car look unnecessarily aggressive. Opel’s designers have instead used yellow as a precise visual accent against the darker carbon and metallic surfaces.

The effect is particularly important for a Formula E car, where distinctive liveries need to remain recognisable despite the high speed of racing and extensive television coverage.

Lightspeed Stripes Bring Electric Technology to Life

Another important part of the design is Opel’s Pixelated Lightspeed Stripes.

The stripes sweep across the bodywork and are intended to visualise something that normally remains invisible: the movement of energy, data and software through an electric racing car.

The concept builds on the design language Opel introduced with the Mokka GSE Rally in 2025, but the Formula E application takes the idea into a much more technologically advanced environment.

In this interpretation, the pixelated graphics represent the instantaneous response of an electric powertrain and the digital character of modern motorsport.

It is a fitting visual theme for a championship where success increasingly depends on software, energy strategy and sophisticated control systems as much as traditional mechanical engineering.

Mitch Evans Says the Opel GSE 27FE “Looks Fast”

Opel’s factory drivers have already seen the car extensively during its testing programme, but the final livery has made a strong impression.

Mitch Evans, one of Formula E’s most accomplished drivers, believes the finished car successfully develops the prototype design.

“I think the final design looks fantastic,” Evans said. “It builds on our concept and testing livery in a more refined way, while still feeling unmistakably Opel.”

The addition of silver is particularly important to the overall appearance, according to the New Zealander.

“The additional silver gives it a sharp and sophisticated appearance – and, most importantly, it looks fast.”

That is no small endorsement from Evans. With 16 Formula E victories, he is the most successful driver in the championship’s history and brings considerable experience to Opel’s new factory programme.

Evans will share the Opel GSE Formula E Team’s race seat with French driver Théo Pourchaire, while Sophia Flörsch takes on the role of test and development driver.

Opel Connects Formula E With Its Road Cars

The Formula E programme is not being presented as an isolated motorsport project.

At the Paris Motor Show, Opel will place the GSE 27FE alongside the new Opel Corsa GSE, which is already available to order. The pairing is designed to demonstrate the relationship between Opel’s electric racing programme and its growing range of high-performance road cars.

The Corsa GSE effectively brings the GSE philosophy to the road, while the GSE 27FE demonstrates how that performance identity can be expressed at the highest level of electric competition.

Opel is also using the same design language throughout its Paris Motor Show stand. The Lightspeed Stripes and broader GSE visual identity will influence the exhibition design, creating a direct connection between the race car and production models.

Opel Formula E Debut Set for December 2026

The unveiling of the final livery comes as Opel moves into the final stages of preparation for its first Formula E season.

Since announcing its Formula E entry in March 2026, the team has conducted private testing alongside extensive simulator and test-bench development. The programme will intensify with the official Formula E test week scheduled for mid-November at Jarama in Spain.

The real test comes shortly afterwards.

Opel will make its competitive Formula E debut at a double-header in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 18 and 19, 2026.

Its first World Championship campaign will consist of 21 races across 13 cities and four continents, providing the new Opel GSE Formula E Team with an extensive international test of its car, drivers and technical operation.

The team’s home event will come later in the season, with the Berlin E-Prix scheduled for May 8 and 9, 2027.

For Opel, that race should carry particular significance as the German manufacturer competes in front of its home fans.

A New Motorsport Identity for Opel

The GSE 27FE is more than Opel’s first Formula E car. It is the clearest expression yet of where the company’s performance strategy is heading in the electric era.

The black, silver and yellow livery deliberately combines Opel’s motorsport heritage with a futuristic interpretation of electric racing. The Lightspeed Stripes, silver spine and GSE Yellow accents all serve the same purpose: making energy, speed and precision visible.

Opel’s Formula E debut will ultimately be judged by results rather than graphics, but the manufacturer has made its intentions clear. Entering Formula E at the beginning of the GEN4 era gives Opel the opportunity to build its programme around the latest generation of electric racing technology from day one.

With Mitch Evans and Théo Pourchaire behind the wheel, Sophia Flörsch supporting development, and 21 races ahead, the Opel GSE 27FE is about to move from design statement to genuine championship contender.

The first chapter begins in Jeddah in December.

Source: Opel

CONCEPT CARS

Opel STX Concept First Photos

Opel has released the first images of its upcoming Opel Sports Tourer eXperimental Concept, officially shortened to Opel STX Concept, offering the first glimpse of a radical new estate car that previews the German brand’s future design direction.

Revealed only a week after Opel announced the concept’s name, the first teaser images highlight the car’s precise surfacing, distinctive lighting elements and highly aerodynamic bodywork. More importantly, the Opel STX Concept provides an early look at the next evolution of the company’s Bold & Pure design philosophy and the future development of the Opel Vizor.

Opel STX Concept takes the estate car in a new direction

Opel has a long history with estate cars in Europe, dating back to the 1950s. The STX Concept is intended to reinterpret that heritage for a new generation, combining the practicality associated with an estate body style with a much more expressive and aerodynamic design.

“We were pioneers of the estate in Europe as early as the 1950s. With the STX Concept, we want to show our vision for the future of this body style and introduce the next step of our ‘Bold & Pure’ design philosophy,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

The company has not yet revealed full technical specifications, dimensions or details about the powertrain, but the initial images suggest that aerodynamic performance and visual efficiency will play a major role in the concept’s design.

New Opel Vizor gets a sharper look

Perhaps the most significant design detail revealed so far is the next evolution of the Opel Vizor front fascia.

The familiar design element appears substantially more dramatic on the STX Concept, with a new lighting signature built around precisely positioned vertical, slanted lamellas. The arrangement gives the front end a more technical appearance while maintaining the visual identity established by the current generation of Opel models.

At the centre of the front end remains the illuminated Opel Blitz emblem, integrated into the brand’s signature Opel Compass design.

The combination of the illuminated logo, slim lighting elements and expanded Vizor treatment suggests that Opel is looking to make its future models instantly recognisable without relying on traditional grille designs.

Aerodynamics become a central part of the design

The Opel STX Concept is also being developed around aerodynamic efficiency. Opel says the concept will explore new solutions designed not only to reduce energy consumption but also to improve directional stability and driving pleasure at high speeds.

That is particularly relevant for an estate car designed with the German Autobahn in mind. Rather than treating aerodynamics purely as a way to lower drag, Opel says the STX Concept will use aerodynamic features to influence the vehicle’s high-speed behaviour as well.

One of the most visible examples is the concept’s striking three-section alloy wheel design. The wheels have been shaped with aerodynamic efficiency in mind, helping to reduce turbulence around the vehicle while giving the concept a distinctive appearance.

This approach reflects a broader industry trend in which designers are increasingly integrating aerodynamic optimisation directly into the visual identity of electric and electrified vehicles.

A preview of Opel’s next design chapter

Although Opel has released only a limited amount of information, the STX Concept already appears to represent more than a styling exercise. The combination of a practical estate-car silhouette, aggressive aerodynamics and a redesigned Vizor could provide important clues about the direction Opel intends to take with future production vehicles.

The concept also reinforces the importance of the estate body style at a time when many manufacturers have shifted their focus toward SUVs and crossovers. Opel’s decision to use an estate as a platform for demonstrating its future design philosophy suggests the company still sees significant potential in the format.

For now, Opel is keeping the most important details under wraps. The company has promised to reveal more information about the STX Concept soon, meaning additional details about its technology, interior, dimensions and potential powertrain should follow.

The Opel STX Concept therefore serves as an early statement of intent: a futuristic estate combining Opel’s traditional practicality with a sharper interpretation of the brand’s Bold & Pure design language, a more advanced Vizor front end and a strong focus on aerodynamic performance.

Opel STX Concept: What we know so far

  • Full name: Opel Sports Tourer eXperimental Concept
  • Short name: Opel STX Concept
  • Body style: Sports Tourer / estate concept
  • Design philosophy: Next-generation Opel Bold & Pure
  • Front design: Evolved Opel Vizor
  • Lighting: Vertical slanting lamella signature
  • Brand identity: Illuminated Opel Blitz within the Opel Compass
  • Aerodynamics: Designed to improve efficiency and high-speed stability
  • Wheels: Aerodynamically optimised three-section alloy wheels
  • Production status: Concept vehicle
  • Full technical specifications: Yet to be announced

Source: Stellantis

NEW CARS

2026 Opel Frontera Start

Opel Frontera Start brings a lower price, a new 100-hp turbocharged engine and a practical equipment package to the German market, giving buyers more ways to configure the family-friendly SUV.

Opel is broadening the Frontera lineup with a new entry-level model designed to appeal to buyers who want the versatility of an SUV without stretching their budget. Called the Opel Frontera Start, the new base trim arrives in Germany with a starting price of €21,990 including VAT, making it the least expensive Opel currently available in the German market.

At the same time, Opel is introducing a new 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 74 kW (100 hp). The new powertrain expands the Frontera’s engine lineup and gives customers another choice alongside the hybrid and fully electric versions.

With four trim levels now available — Start, Edition, GS and Ultimate — Opel says the revised Frontera range is intended to make the model easier to configure while offering a clearer separation between equipment levels.

Opel Frontera Start Cuts the Entry Price

The biggest headline surrounding the new Frontera Start is its price.

Starting at €21,990 in Germany, the new model is €2,750 cheaper than the previous entry point. That positions the Frontera as a particularly aggressive proposition in the European family SUV segment, especially for buyers prioritizing practicality and affordability.

The new model retains the fundamental characteristics that define the Frontera: a relatively rugged exterior design, a spacious cabin and a flexible luggage compartment.

“The new Frontera Start is an attractive entry into the Opel brand – no other Opel car is currently available at a lower price,” said Patrick Dinger, Head of Opel Germany.

That positioning is important because the Frontera is intended to serve as an everyday family vehicle rather than simply another style-focused crossover.

New 100-HP 1.2-Liter Turbo Engine Joins the Range

The new 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine develops 100 hp (74 kW) and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

The engine is available not only in the Frontera Start but also across the other trim levels, including Edition, GS and Ultimate.

For buyers who prefer some degree of electrification, the Frontera Start can also be ordered with Opel’s hybrid powertrain. The hybrid version produces 81 kW (110 hp) of system power and uses a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

There is also a fully electric option in the form of the Frontera Electric Start. It combines an 83 kW (113 hp) electric motor with a 44 kWh battery, of which 43 kWh is usable.

That gives the Frontera lineup three distinct powertrain approaches: conventional gasoline, hybrid and fully electric.

Practical Equipment Comes Standard

Despite its position as the entry-level model, the Opel Frontera Start is not stripped down to the point of feeling basic.

The standard equipment includes a six-way adjustable Intelli-Seat, featuring a central recess designed to improve comfort. Air conditioning is also standard, while a rear parking pilot and lane departure warning provide additional assistance in everyday driving.

A 10-inch driver information display provides vehicle information directly ahead of the driver.

Instead of requiring a conventional integrated infotainment system for every function, the Frontera Start also features a smartphone station on the center console, allowing occupants to use their own mobile device for personalized entertainment and connectivity.

This approach helps Opel keep the entry price low while maintaining the technology that many modern buyers expect from a new SUV.

Rugged Styling Sets the Frontera Start Apart

The Frontera Start retains the distinctive styling of the wider Frontera family but receives several details that emphasize its rugged character.

The exterior features black mirror housings and black bumpers, including a lower section designed to give the impression of underrun protection. The SUV rides on 16-inch steel wheels fitted with new black wheel covers.

The result is deliberately functional rather than luxurious, which suits the positioning of the Start model.

Customers can order the Frontera Start in Effekt Blue as the starting configuration, with the overall design continuing to emphasize the model’s upright proportions and practical SUV character.

460 Liters of Cargo Space

One of the Frontera’s strongest selling points remains interior practicality.

With all rear seats in their normal position, the SUV offers 460 liters of luggage capacity. Fold the rear seats down and available cargo volume increases to approximately 1,600 liters.

The rear seats split in a 60:40 configuration, allowing owners to balance passenger accommodation and cargo space depending on what they need to transport.

The Frontera also provides generous second-row space, making it particularly relevant to families who regularly carry adults or children in the rear seats.

The combination of a relatively compact footprint and useful cargo capacity is central to the Frontera’s appeal.

Optional Start Comfort Pack

Buyers looking for additional convenience can specify the Start Comfort Pack.

The package adds a dual-level boot floor, providing additional flexibility when organizing the luggage area. It also adds a makeup mirror to both the driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors.

It is a relatively simple option, but one that fits the Frontera Start’s practical philosophy rather than adding equipment simply for appearance.

Four Frontera Trim Levels

With the arrival of the Start, Opel now divides the Frontera range into four principal trim levels:

  • Frontera Start – the new value-focused entry point
  • Frontera Edition – the next step up in equipment
  • Frontera GS – a more comprehensively equipped version
  • Frontera Ultimate – the range-topping configuration

This structure gives customers a more straightforward path through the lineup, from the affordable Start model to the fully equipped Ultimate.

The strategy also allows Opel to address a wider range of buyers without forcing customers who prioritize price to pay for equipment they may not need.

Is the Opel Frontera Start a Good Value?

The new Opel Frontera Start makes a compelling argument for buyers who want a practical family SUV at a relatively accessible price.

Its biggest advantage is the combination of a €21,990 starting price, five-door SUV practicality, 460 liters of standard cargo space and a choice of gasoline, hybrid and electric powertrains.

The new 100-hp turbocharged engine is particularly significant because it gives buyers who do not want a hybrid or electric vehicle a straightforward entry point into the Frontera range.

At the other end of the spectrum, the availability of hybrid and electric models means customers who want to reduce fuel consumption or move to an EV do not necessarily have to choose another vehicle.

Source: Stellantis