Dressed to Impress… the Campsite Squirrels
Image Credit: Stellantis.
When a car company decides to play dress-up with one of their sensible electric SUVs, my ears perk up like a meerkat spotting a particularly juicy beetle. Stellantis has let their Opel division get a bit creative. They've unveiled something called the "Frontera Gravel," and if looks could conquer mountains, this thing would be Sir Edmund Hillary in car form. It's a concept, a "one-off" designed to make us all think of dusty trails and plucky adventures. And you know what? It almost works!
First off, this Frontera Gravel has raided the off-road accessories catalog with the enthusiasm of a toddler in a candy store. The obligatory Thule Canyon XT roof rack – because where else would you put your matching orange-accented luggage? Then there are extra LED lights, not just on the roof but on the hood, too. That's probably for spotting those very low-flying nocturnal birds or perhaps just making sure you don't trip over the curb at the supermarket.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
It even has a front-mounted winch! I haven't seen one of those used in anger since that unfortunate incident involving my neighbor, his prize-winning marrows, and a surprisingly steep driveway. There's a natty side storage box, perfect for emergency granola bars or a tiny espresso machine. And the pièce de résistance – snow tracks! Attached to the D-pillars! I'm no Arctic explorer, but I have a sneaking suspicion those might be more for show than for the actual snow. It's all perched on a fetching set of 16-inch Borbet CWE wheels wrapped in proper BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. This Frontera definitely looks like it could handle more than a mildly damp lawn.
The whole shebang is swaddled in a matte Desert Stone wrap, contrasted with a black hood and roof, which is all very "I mean business." And then, there are the orange accents - on the skid plates (which I suspect will remain as pristine as my grandmother's fine china), the mirror caps, the roof rack, and even the badging. Someone at Opel discovered a sale on orange highlighters and just went wild. Custom stickers complete the "I'm ready for anything, as long as it doesn't involve actual mud" look.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
Inside, it's more of the same charmingly rugged theme. Microfibre seats get those matching orange details – color coordination is key, even in the wild – and a black headliner adds to the general "ooh, adventurous" vibe and it's all very well put together.
Now, for the bit that makes me ask just one question: Why? Opel has confirmed that this rugged, ready-for-anything Frontera Gravel is based on the production Frontera Electric. That's fine. Electric power, instant torque – all good things. The most potent version, the one this concept likely mirrors, gives you a perfectly respectable 154 horsepower from its single electric motor. It's got a 54 kWh battery, which Opel claims will give you a range of up to 249 miles. That's enough for a spirited weekend getaway, provided your idea of rugged terrain is a well-maintained gravel path to a charming bed and breakfast.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
But the little secret that makes me chuckle into my artisanal coffee is that Frontera Gravel is front-wheel drive. All that butch bodywork, the winch, the all-terrain tires… sending power only to the front wheels. It's essentially a poodle wearing hiking boots. Adorable, yes. Ready to scale K2? Perhaps not. Opel insists it can handle "soft-roading adventures" thanks to its low center of gravity and that lovely electric torque. And I'm sure it can! It'll probably manage a grassy field with more aplomb than my last attempt at assembling flat-pack furniture.
It gets worse from here. An all-wheel-drive version isn't even on the cards, it seems. Opel baked a magnificent cake and then forgot the frosting. Especially when its cousins within the Stellantis family, like the Jeep Avenger 4Xe and the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Q4, are getting clever electrified rear axles to give them that all-important all-wheel traction. Even the upcoming Fiat Grande Panda 4x4 will get it! So, the technology is right there. It seems nobody told Opel's engineers about it.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
The Frontera Gravel is set to make its grand public debut on May 30th at the XS Carnight event in Wörthersee, Austria. And while it's officially just a concept, Opel is hinting that a production version could be a real possibility. They're looking to see if we, the adoring public, are keen on a tougher, bolder Frontera. Rebecca Reinermann, who's the Vice President of Marketing for Opel and Vauxhall (that's Opel's British twin sister, for those not in the know), said, "This concept is built to fire up our fanbase and test the demand for a bolder, more rugged Frontera in the future. It's all about freedom, adventure, excitement and pushing boundaries."
Honestly? I think the Gravel is rather fun. It's a bit of automotive theatre. Most SUVs are destined for a life of school runs and shopping mall car parks, and the Frontera has a certain charm that at least dreams of adventure. It is certainly eye-catching. It's got style, it's got presence, and it's electric, which always gets a gold star in my book.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
Will it genuinely rival something like a Dakar-inspired Dacia Duster if it makes it to production? Not without that crucial all-wheel drive, it won't. But for those who want to look the part, who want their electric chariot to whisper tales of far-off lands (even if it's only ever driven to the local organic market), then why not? It's a jolly good effort, Opel. You've made us smile. Now, about adding that rear electric motor…
