Opel Frontera: Well-balanced e-drive
The new Frontera closes the gap between the Mokka and Grandland at Opel. The fully electric version has good driving characteristics and a modest price, while the mild hybrid even offers seven seats on request.
Photos: Opel
With its length of 4.39 m, the new Frontera is positioned exactly between the Mokka and Grandland in Opel's SUV family. It impresses with its sleek exterior and interior design and, like its brothers Citroën C3 Aircross and Fiat Grande Panda, it benefits technically from the Stellantis Group's smart car platform.
The black vizor with flash, the two-tone paintwork and the complete absence of chrome are striking design elements. In the interior, horizontal lines dominate the look. The steering wheel, which is no longer purely circular, and the Pure Panel with digital instrument cluster and multifunction touchscreen or - depending on the equipment - with smartphone station are also striking. For cost reasons, however, hard plastic parts are predominantly used.
A flexible strap, known as the Flex Strap, ensures that tablets and bottles are held securely in the center console. There is also a compartment for wireless phone charging and four USB-C ports. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 460 liters and can be increased to up to 1600 liters by folding down the split rear seat backrest.
Fully adequate driving performance
The electric version is comfortable and sufficiently agile on city and country roads, and you can even keep up with the crowd on the highway. An iron phosphate battery (LFP) with a capacity of 44 kWh was chosen for the drive components. The front wheels are driven by a synchronous motor with 125 Nm torque and a maximum output of 83 kW (113 hp). Two recuperation levels can be selected at the touch of a button on the center console, and annoying "assistants" such as the speed limit warning can also be deactivated at the touch of a button. According to the WLTP, the Frontera Electric can cover a sufficient 305 kilometers on one battery charge. A battery with a range of 400 kilometers will be available as an option at a later date.
The Frontera Hybrid with a 1.2-liter petrol engine and electric motor is available for those hesitant about electric vehicles and tenants without charging facilities at home. The system output of 100 kW (136 PS) and the torque of 250 Nm make it clearly faster than the electric car on the data sheet. Equipped with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, the mild hybrid consumes around 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers. The hybrid also plays a special trump card: It can be ordered with a third row of seats and then becomes a 7-seater. The new model, which is produced in Slovakia, is available in Edition and GS versions. Prices start at 24,900 Swiss francs (hybrid) and 27,900 Swiss francs (electric), and the first deliveries can be expected from April.
