Electrified, Opel looks to the future
2019 is a special year for Opel. Not only is the carmaker from Rüsselsheim celebrating 120 years of car production, it is also enjoying the return to profitability since the PSA takeover. With refound confidence, Opel has unveiled the electric Corsa-e (pictured on top) and a hybrid Grandland X.
As part of its EV strategy, all new Opels will be built on multi-energy platforms. There will be no dedicated electric vehicles, instead buyers can choose any vehicle with an electric or a conventional powertrain. By next year, there will already be four electrified cars: the full-electric Corsa-e, the Mokka X successor, the Vivaro-e and the Grandland X Hybrid 4.
Corsa-e
The new generation Corsa is only fractionally longer than the previous model, and it’s even slightly lower and less wide. Nevertheless, the designers have managed to build a car that looks much bigger and roomier.
The Corsa-e’s 50kWh battery gives it a respectable WLTP range of 330km. At a 100kW DC fast charger, it can be topped up to 80% in 20 minutes. It will be no slouch, accelerating to 50km/h in under 3 seconds and reaching 100km/h in 8.1 seconds. The engine has an output of 100kW/136hp and a maximum torque of 260Nm.
In Germany, the Corsa-e will be offered starting at €29,900 and a lease rate of €299. The base version will be available from the start and includes standard equipment reserved for premium cars until not long ago: keyless start, climate control, cruise control, AEB, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition and more.
The interior is also worthy of a much more exclusive car, especially when the option box for the Multimedia NaviPro is ticked, as that gives you a 10-inch colour touchscreen.
Production is set to start in Q1 2020, the first deliveries are planned for Q2 2020.
Grandland X Hybrid 4
The new Grandland X Hybrid 4 mates a 1.6 Direct Injection Turbo petrol engine with 2 80-kW electric motors, providing 300hp/220kW/450Nm total system output. The 13.2kWh battery can take you 52km in all electric mode.
The Grandland X Hybrid 4 will enter production at the end of 2019, allowing the first vehicles to be delivered in the Spring of 2020.
Free2Move
Opel customers can benefit from the Free2Move Services App, which gives them access to 105,000 charge points across Europe, a trip planner and a charging management function.
A series of domestic charging options will also be on offer.