The return of Opel “Frontera,” a historic name in the automotive world and a market success between 1991 and 2003, has stirred mixed feelings. Unfortunately, Opel has chosen to distance the new model from its rugged off-road legacy, reintroducing the nameplate on a crossover that shares little with the original version. This decision—perhaps driven by a desire to revive emotional names from the past to boost sales or influenced by Opel’s integration into the Stellantis group, which has followed a similar approach with Fiat—aligns with a growing trend in the European market. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on compact SUVs and crossovers, which promise strong commercial returns.
What is certain is that the model, set to debut this fall, will replace the Opel “Crossland” in the lineup and will be built on the “Smart Car” platform. This is the same platform Stellantis has used for models such as the Citroën “C3,” Fiat “600,” and Jeep “Avenger.” Like these counterparts, the Opel “Frontera” is expected to offer dual powertrain options: mild hybrid and full electric. However, Opel has not yet released detailed technical specifications.
It is reasonable to assume that this German cousin of Stellantis crossovers will share not only the platform but also the powertrains. The mild hybrid version is likely to feature a 1.2-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 101 horsepower, paired with a mild hybrid system based on a 48-volt electrical architecture. This system supports onboard services and enables regenerative braking.
The full electric version is expected to include a powertrain built around a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor mounted on the front axle. This motor could deliver up to 156 horsepower and 260 Newton-meters of torque, powered by a 54-kilowatt-hour battery composed of nickel-manganese-cobalt cells. The battery should support charging systems of up to 11 kilowatts in alternating current and 100 kilowatts in direct current. With this setup, the Opel “Frontera” should be able to charge from 20% to 80% in approximately 25 minutes, offering a WLTP range of about 400 kilometers and up to 600 kilometers in urban driving conditions.
In practical terms, the new “Frontera” is philosophically and structurally very different from the traditional model, despite certain aesthetic nods to off-road styling, such as pronounced wheel arches, underbody plastic cladding, and a muscular, squared-off design. The vehicle also introduces Opel’s new “Blitz” logo, prominently displayed in the center of the “Vizor” grille first seen in mid-2023 on the “Experimental” concept.
The squared design of the exterior is echoed in the cabin, which features a digital dashboard composed of two ten-inch displays. These serve as the instrument cluster and interface for the infotainment system, adding a modern and tech-forward touch to the vehicle.
Title: New Opel “Frontera”, no longer off-road but crossover
Translation with ChatGPT
