Tag Archives: Opel

NEW CARS

Opel Grandland Electric AWD: The SUV That Brings the Beach With You

If your idea of a holiday involves wading through a rental desk queue, haggling over “optional” insurance, and then discovering your jet ski’s been replaced by a pedal boat, stop reading now. For everyone else — the sort who’d rather arrive, unhitch, and be halfway across the bay before the rental guy’s even found his pen — Opel has built the Grandland Electric AWD.

This isn’t just Opel’s first battery-powered all-wheel drive. It’s the family-sized Swiss Army knife of electric SUVs — and it’s got the torque to match. A chunky 509 Nm of it, to be exact, backed up by 239 kW (that’s 325 metric horsepower) and enough pulling power to drag 1,350 kg of boat, jet ski, or trailer full of questionable “holiday essentials” without breaking a sweat.

Inside, it’s comfort all the way to the coast. Five people? No problem. Dogs? Bring two. With 485 litres of boot space (or 1,580 litres if you flatten the 40:20:40 split seats), there’s room for every towel, snorkel, and novelty inflatable you own. Even the front seats are certified by people whose entire job is to think about your back. The Intelli-Seats, giant 16-inch touchscreen, and a transparent wireless charging box for your phone mean your road trip playlist stays pumping without a single cable in sight.

And here’s the clever bit — the trailer hitch clips on in seconds, no tools required. ESP with a trailer anti-oscillation system keeps your precious cargo steady, and you’ve got four driving modes to play with: Normal, Eco, Sport, and 4WD. Sport gives you sharper steering and throttle, 4WD locks both motors for maximum grip — ideal for slippery slipways or gravel roads to that secret beach.

Opel’s even fitted Frequency Selective Damping as standard, which basically means the Grandland can do the Autobahn glide and the country lane hustle without breaking stride. Cobblestones? Smoothed. Cornering? Flat. Braking? Stable. It’s all very grown-up — until you mash the accelerator and hit 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.

Range? The Ultimate trim offers up to 483 km (WLTP), with future versions pushing that to 501 km. When you do need juice, a 20–80% top-up at a public fast charger takes about half an hour — just long enough to grab a sandwich and argue about whether you really needed to pack the kayak and the jet ski.

Buy one now and Opel throws in “Electric All In”: home wallbox, e-routing, eight years of mobile charging and breakdown cover, plus the battery warranty. Basically, they’ve made going electric less about compromise, more about adventure.

So here’s the takeaway: The Opel Grandland Electric AWD is an SUV for people who don’t just plan holidays — they bring the fun with them. And if your neighbour thinks his diesel SUV can keep up? Tell him to bring a stopwatch.

Source: Stellantis

NEW CARS

2025 Opel Frontera – Affordable versatility for the modern family

In an era where SUVs dominate the streets and practicality is paramount, Opel returns to the scene with a renewed sense of purpose. Meet the 2025 Opel Frontera, a boldly styled, electrified SUV that promises to be more than just a daily driver. With its competitive pricing, clever packaging, and genuine family-first approach, the Frontera marks Opel’s next move in the ever-growing compact SUV segment.

Design Meets Function

The new Frontera immediately commands attention with its rugged, upright stance, yet it remains unmistakably Opel. At 4.39 metres long and just under 1.85 metres wide, it strikes a confident profile without overwhelming urban streets or tight parking garages. But the real magic happens inside – especially when you consider that this compact SUV can seat up to seven occupants.

Thanks to its 2,670 mm wheelbase, the Frontera makes smart use of every millimetre. A tall roofline and upright rear glass offer generous headroom and a sense of openness in the rear, while access to the third row is made easier with forward-folding middle seats. Whether you’re hauling the kids to football practice or heading out on a weekend adventure, the Frontera adapts with ease.

Space Where It Matters

Opel knows that versatility is key for families, and the Frontera delivers in spades. In its five-seat layout, there’s a generous 460 litres of cargo space, expanding to a cavernous 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded down. Opt for the seven-seater package (a modest €800 surcharge on the Hybrid GS), and you gain two additional seats in the back – perfect for children or occasional adult passengers.

The 60:40-split folding second row and individually folding third row allow for multiple cargo-passenger configurations. Need to bring luggage and a few friends? No problem. Going full IKEA? Fold everything down and you’ll have a flat, expansive load floor ready for action.

Comfort and Connectivity

Inside, the Frontera GS trim brings a surprisingly high level of comfort and tech to the table. Opel’s patented Intelli-Seats are standard up front, designed with a unique recess that reduces pressure on the tailbone – a thoughtful touch for long-distance drives. Standard features also include automatic climate control, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a digital driver display.

Charging devices is a non-issue here, with five USB-C ports distributed across all three rows and a wireless charging pad up front. Whether you’re road-tripping with teens or toddlers, everyone stays powered and entertained.

Safety and Visibility

Equipped with full LED lighting – from headlights to taillights – and a 130-degree rear-view camera, the Frontera prioritizes safety without bloating the spec sheet. Maneuvering in tight spaces is easier than ever, and visibility in low light conditions is excellent.

Electrified for Everyday Adventures

Importantly, every Opel Frontera variant is electrified, aligning with Opel’s broader strategy for sustainable mobility. While details on the powertrain range are still emerging, the inclusion of a Hybrid GS model at €27,690 (RRP incl. VAT in Germany) positions it as an attractive option for eco-conscious buyers seeking efficiency without compromise. Entry-level pricing starts at a very accessible €24,190 for the five-seater variant.

The 2025 Opel Frontera is not trying to reinvent the wheel – but it doesn’t have to. What it offers is straightforward value, clever design, and a healthy dose of flexibility, all wrapped in a package that looks and feels more premium than the price tag suggests.

For growing families, urban adventurers, or anyone seeking an affordable yet capable SUV, the Frontera hits the sweet spot. Opel may have just redefined what a budget-conscious family SUV can be.

Source: Stellantis

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Ascona B and Manta B: The Cars That Drove Opel Into Legend

In a world where car buyers expect dynamic driving, cutting-edge efficiency, and everyday family utility all rolled into one, the modern-day Opel Astra confidently fits the bill. Stylish, versatile, and available in a wide range of powertrains — from the all-electric Astra Electric to the performance-focused Astra GSe — it stands as a testament to Opel’s forward-thinking engineering. But while today’s Astra dominates its segment with innovation, the DNA of combining sportiness with everyday usability runs deep in Opel’s history. In fact, you’d have found that very formula on offer exactly 50 years ago.

1975: A Double Debut for Driving Enthusiasts

Half a century ago, Opel introduced two models that would go on to become icons: the second-generation Ascona B and its sleek sibling, the Manta B. Launched at the 1975 IAA in Frankfurt, the pair shared technical underpinnings but targeted different audiences. The Ascona was the practical yet dynamic family saloon, while the Manta aimed squarely at the style- and performance-conscious coupé crowd.

Both were more than just cosmetic facelifts. The Ascona B grew in every direction — nearly 20 centimeters longer and four centimeters wider than its predecessor. Passengers benefited from increased legroom, improved shoulder space, and ergonomic full-foam seating. But it wasn’t just about size. A re-engineered chassis offered better ride comfort, while aerodynamic enhancements reduced drag and noise — despite the Ascona’s larger frontal area. Practicality met thoughtful design with increased glass surface area and a lowered beltline, boosting visibility and enhancing safety.

The Manta B, meanwhile, delivered driving fun with flair. With its long, low profile, signature rectangular headlights, and integral roll bar for added safety, it brought real sports-car looks to the everyday driver. Room for five, sharp handling, and remarkable fuel economy made it an anomaly in its class — and a standout in Opel’s lineup.

From Road to Rally: The Motorsport Connection

What really ignited the public’s passion, however, were the high-performance variants. The Manta GT/E — introduced in 1975 — became an instant classic. With 77 kW (105 hp), sport suspension, and purposeful aesthetics (matte black bonnet, minimalist chrome, and full instrumentation inside), it didn’t just look the part — it played it, too. Contemporary testers praised its agility and performance, noting it outclassed many rivals with supposedly higher power.

But the real firepower came with three digits: 400. The Ascona 400, launched in 1979, was no ordinary family car. Powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC engine with 106 kW (144 hp), rear disc brakes, and a five-speed gearbox, it was a homologation special built to conquer the rally stage. And conquer it did — most famously when Walter Röhrl piloted the Ascona 400 to victory in the 1982 World Rally Championship, making it the last rear-wheel drive car to ever win the title.

This racing legacy carried over to the Manta 400. Debuting in 1981, it was the Ascona 400’s spiritual successor. The road car packed 144 hp, while its rally-prepped version (in Phase III spec) boasted a monstrous 206 kW (280 hp). Drivers like Erwin Weber and Guy Fréquelin brought home national rally titles in Germany and France, respectively, further cementing Opel’s motorsport credibility.

The Long Tail of the Manta

The Manta B’s popularity endured well beyond the usual model cycle. It remained in production until 1988 — an impressive 13-year run — making it the longest-lived Opel model of its era. Even near the end of its life, the Manta B stayed ahead of the curve with a drag coefficient of just 0.352, outperforming several dedicated sports cars in aerodynamic efficiency.

But as the curtain fell on the Manta, Opel was already preparing its next act. Enter the Calibra in 1989: a coupé so sleek, it claimed the title of the world’s most aerodynamic production car for an entire decade, with a drag coefficient of 0.26. The Calibra became the best-selling coupé of the 1990s, carrying forward the legacy of combining striking design, sporty performance, and daily usability.

Legacy Reinvented

Today, the Opel Astra continues that tradition in modern form. With its unmistakable design, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains, and generous interior space, it answers the same questions that the Ascona and Manta once did: Can a car be exciting yet practical? Can efficiency and emotion coexist?

Opel answered yes in 1975, and it’s still answering yes today.

Source: Stellantis