By Breda Corrigan
It will come as no surprise to hear that the all-electric vehicle (EV) market in Ireland is growing increasingly competitive, with more and more manufacturer’s jumping on the rapidly-accelerating bandwagon, so to speak. One major player on the EV field is Opel, whose all-new Mokka-e has just been launched.
Reinventing Opel.
The future strategy for the Iconic German vehicle manufacturer can be summed up with the simple phrase “We’re Reinventing Opel”, and this is truly evident in recent offerings from Opel – namely the new Corsa supermini, new Crossland small SUV/Crossover, and now the new Mokka. Coming soon will be the launch of the new Opel Grandland, with a new Astra and Manta in the not too distant future. The new Opel Mokka-e features Opel’s new design language, with the ‘Vizor’ face the centrepiece. There is no need for a traditional grille in electric cars like the Mokka-e, so the ‘Vizor’ creates a seamless integration of future lighting and other technologies, all within a high-tech protective surface. The vizor of the new Mokka extends in one single sweep across the front of the vehicle underneath the bonnet, visually stretching its width and organising the fascia with a reduced amount of elements. No superfluous decoration disturbs the focus on a pure, flush surface that perfectly integrates the headlights. The legendary Opel lightning-flash emblem proudly dominates the centre. It looks pure, precise and technical, a perfect match to the new Mokka that will only have high-quality LED lamps as well as the latest generation of IntelliLux LED® matrix headlights – a true highlight in this market segment. The Opel Vizor will become a hallmark of all Opel models in the course of the 2020s with the idea of further clustering top technologies.
Head-Turning Design.
Possessing a magical blend of elegant styling, a sumptuous cabin and advanced safety systems, the new Opel Mokka-e is a real head-turning car in every respect. The Mokka-e uses a 100kW electric motor which produces 134bhp and 260Nm of torque, and is linked to a 50kWh battery, which you can charge at up to 100kW at a public rapid charger in as little as 30 minutes (15-80%). A standard domestic wall box charger will provide a full charge (0-100%) in little over seven and a half hours, with a range of up to 324km’s on offer from a fully charged battery. The powertrain in the Mokka-e offers a good balance between efficiency and performance, with a 0-100km/h sprint achievable in just 8.5-seconds.
Two Trim Levels.
The new Opel Mokka-e is offered in two trim levels – SRi and Elite, with both models attracting standard equipment such as a leather, flat-bottom steering wheel, sports mode switch, acoustic improvement pack, 10” capacitive touch multimedia system with navigation, enhanced 12” multi-colour driver display instrument panel, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, USB connectivity, DAB radio, Opel Connect, 17” alloy wheels, Eco-LED headlights, LED front fog lights, LED daytime running lights, rear LED lights, auto high beam assist, electric mirrors, 180-degree panoramic rear view camera pack, rear parking sensors, electronic climate control and a front centre armrest, along with a suite of advanced safety systems for ultimate peace of mind on the go.
Test Car.
My Opel Mokka-e test car was a range-topping Elite model, which looked amazing in vibrant Matcha Green Metallic paintwork with a contrasting black roof, mirror casings, and body mouldings for a rugged SUV look. Exclusive standard features in Elite trim include a driver’s seat massage function, grey roof headliner, jet black leather upholstery, distinctive 17” bi-colour alloy wheels, solar absorbing windows, and side window mouldings with bright chrome roof line and a black belt line finisher. The single-speed automatic transmission in the front-wheel drive Mokka-e comes with a push-button regenerative braking function, which applies the brakes as soon as the right foot is taken off the accelerator, thereby increasing battery range in the process. The Mokka-e handles well and can absorb road imperfections and speed ramps with ease. Light steering provides good feedback to the driver ensuring that the car remains engaging through corners. The classic exterior look of the new Mokka-e is replicated inside, with Opel’s ‘Pure Panel’ upmarket infotainment screen taking centre stage. While the new Opel Mokka is fractionally shorter than its predecessor, it has gained interior space due to an increased wheelbase, which was made possible by moving the wheels closer to both ends of the car. As a result, there is good leg, head and knee room throughout the cabin, while the 310-litre load space in the Mokka-e can be greatly expanded when the rear seat backs are folded flat.
Verdict & Pricing.
Overall, the all-new Opel Mokka-e is a joy to drive, very pleasing on the eye and is packed with the very latest in battery, infotainment and safety technology. Designed to stand out from the crowd, it is clear to see that Opel has succeeded in redefining the rules with the new Mokka-e, and I love the bold new direction that Opel is taking with their latest creations. The Opel Mokka-e SRi is priced at €33,038, with the Mokka-e Elite priced at €34,444 (both prices inclusive of a VRT rebate and SEAI grant presently available for private buyers).
