Opel launches new Frontera Electric and confirms final specifications

Opel has launched the new Frontera, a compact SUV borrowing the name of the classic terrain vehicle from the 90s. It is based on the same Smart Car platform as the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross, offering the choice between mild hybrid or fully-electric drive. The final specifications for the latter have been confirmed, with over 300 km of WLTP range for the entry-level battery option.

Electric or Hybrid

The Frontera Electric is launched with an 83 kW (113 hp) and 44 kWh electric drivetrain borrowed from the Citroën ë-C3 and related to the Fiat Grande Panda. Even with its boxy design and modest battery capacity, the SUV still manages an official WLTP range of 305 km. A Long-Rangee version will follow soon, with around 400 km range, but no battery specs or concrete launch date has been given.

The Frontera Hybrid uses Stellantis’ mild-hybrid drivetrain based on an updated version of the widespread 1.2 PureTech gasoline engine. A 21 kW (28 hp) electric motor is built into the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Customers can choose between 100 or 136 hp versions.

Lightweight… for an electric SUV

Thanks to the compact battery and motor, the weight of this electric family SUV has also stayed modest. The Opel Frontera Electric puts 1,514 kg on the scales, compared to 1,344 kilograms for the Frontera Hybrid. But with only 113 hp on tap, 0-100 km/hour still takes 12.1 seconds. Fast-charging to 80 percent takes 26 minutes, thanks to a peak capacity of 11 kW, while trickle charging is limited to 7.4 kW (single-phase AC).

Cheaper than the Corsa, more expensive than the ë-C3 Aircross

Compared to the Hybrid model, a downside of the Frontera Electric is that the former does not give you the option of a third row of seats, bringing the total up to seven seats in the Hybrid. It is also more expensive: the new Opel Frontera startatom is €24,25 for a hybrid and €28,99 for a fully electric model.

This makes it cheaper than the more compact Corsa Electric, although the hatchback offers more power and range. The technically identical Citroën ë-C3 Aircross is cheaper still, starting from €26,690 in Belgium.