Opel unveils its own compact electric 4X4

Forget the timid urban SUVs or the monstrous Pick Ups. Opel confirms that compact electric 4X4s are in vogue.

Opel presents an unprecedented concept car: the Frontera GRAVEL. Developed on the basis of the fully electric Frontera, this model emphasizes a more adventurous use. Designed at Opel’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim and created in partnership with automotive preparation specialists BlackFish and XS, it is aimed at off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Its first public presentation is scheduled during the XS CARNIGHT Wörthersee event, which will take place from May 28 to June 1 in Klagenfurt, Austria.

The Frontera GRAVEL retains the technical features of the electric version of the Frontera, ensuring a driving experience without local emissions. It benefits from a low center of gravity and high torque, making it suitable for various roads. To enhance its capabilities on more challenging terrains such as gravel or stone, it is equipped with specific BORBET CWE wheels measuring 7 x 16 inches.

Opel steps off the beaten path

Visually, the concept stands out with a customized livery, featuring an exclusive pattern called “Desert Stone” as well as matte black elements on the roof and hood. Orange accents visible on several parts of the body highlight its distinctive character. At the back, side storage compartments and a sturdy roof rack allow for transporting gear. Additional headlights on the hood and the roof rack improve nighttime visibility.

Small all-wheel-drive electric cars are gaining popularity, and this is largely thanks to advancements in electric technology. Where adding a 4×4 system once required heavy mechanical modifications (drive shaft, differential, transfer case…), today it simply takes a second electric motor at the rear to achieve true all-wheel drive. As a result, city cars can now venture off the beaten path. Following the Fiat Grande Panda 4×4 and Renault 4 Savane, the arrival of a third player in less than two weeks clearly confirms the promising future of this new formula.

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