first pictures before the official presentation

At Opel, the battle has been going on for several years now between the two urban SUVs Crossland and Mokka. The first Crossland, launched in 2017, replaced the Meriva at the time and thus retained its rotund minivan appearance. But since the arrival of the second generation of Mokka, in 2021, customers have switched to the second despite its smaller size (4.15 m for Mokka compared to 4.21 for Crossland) thanks to its better appearance of the times (more angular design, color intuitive and highly customizable, marked SUV characteristics, etc.) with its different engines including the electric unit.

To try to restore stability to all this, Opel is therefore taking advantage of the transition to the second generation Crossland to start from scratch. Gone is the name that refers to the previous generation with hybrid success, this time the brand is based on a historic label, taken from its archives: Frontera. This surname was used by the original 4×4 produced between 1991 and 2004 and manufactured during the era of General Motors, with an Isuzu base. But this time, there is nothing more to do with Opel’s first 4×4: it is an urban SUV without all-wheel drive or a large off-road performance, according to the Citroën C3 Aircross thanks to Opel’s cooperation in the Stellantis group. The model is intended to be more family-friendly, and therefore should grow a few centimeters to reach 4.40 m according to our estimates.

Try the future Citroen C3 Aircross

The connection with the Citroen C3 Aircross, and especially the Indian version already on the market, can be seen in the glazing and the usual curves. However, the bonnet and sides are sculpted, with a pronounced shoulder line from the lights towards the rear door handle that lends a bit of character. The Frontera is the first model of the brand to feature the new refined Opel logo, with a more stylish Blitz and in two parts. It takes the “Vizor” and a black mask connecting the LED projectors. The opening is placed under the Vizor, under the shield under the plate or on each side with a vertical inlet to cool the engine.

In the background, the lights are divided into two parts and recall the world of Genesis. The tailgate has the “Frontera” logo in full, along with the new Opel Blitz. To mark its participation in the SUV category, the Frontera does not hesitate to have protective aluminum shoes at the front and rear, black plastic wheel arches or even roof bars that can carry more than 200 kg. The roof can also be painted black to give color two tone variations.

Modularity on point

The interior is in line with recent Opels, with the dashboard including two side-by-side screens (“Clean Panel”). The panels are 10 inches each and display digital meters and a multimedia system with smartphone projection. We think that the entry-level versions will not be equipped enough, knowing that Opel is also talking about smartphone support to replace the main screen. The manufacturer has retained a few physical touches for the climate controls, below the central air vent, while the central dashboard has been reduced to a simpler expression with a single domino-style gear selector in the middle and storage spaces on either side. . , including an introductory smartphone charger.

The Frontera is aimed at families, with the right configuration and a trunk that has already been announced as one of the strongest SUVs: it is between 460 liters and 1,600 liters when the bench seat is folded, compared to 410 to 1,255 liters for the current Crossland. The bench seat is split 60/40 but may no longer slide unlike the one it replaces. A standard floor comes as standard. At the moment, Opel is not talking about a 7-seater version, unlike Citroën which has already confirmed for its C3 Aircross.

Micro-hybrid or electric

Opel isn’t very tight-lipped when it comes to engines, but we think the new Frontera will take on those from the Stellantis range. Therefore, the B-segment SUV will have the right to a small 48V gasoline hybrid of 100 or 136 hp, while the diesel can be set aside. A variant of electricity is also mentioned, without knowing the level of power or independence aimed at. Two options are possible: the Citroën ë-C3 unit with 113 hp and a 40 kWh battery that gives more than 300 km of autonomy, or that of the other electric devices in the group with 156 hp and a 54 kWh battery that gives about 400. km of autonomy . Answer in a few weeks!

Photo : DR.

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Citroën confirms the arrival of the 7-seater C3 Aircross in 2024

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Summing up

Who from Opel or Citroën will present their urban SUV first? It seems that the Blitz brand takes the first step with a series of pictures and some information on its Frontera, before its official presentation in May.

Editor