Opel continues to electrify its range and presents the first model with a plug-in hybrid propulsion system in its history. The Opel Grandland X Hybrid4 will be launched early next year. The electrified SUV is the prelude to a major e-offensive.

Its full name is the Opel Grandland X Hybrid4. The new version is equipped with a 1.6-liter and 200- horsepower petrol engine with two 109- horsepower electric motors. The Grandland X comes to CO2 emissions of 49 g / km. The model relies on a rechargeable Li-Ion 13.2 kWh offering a range of 50 kilometers (WLTP) when used in electric mode. This covers about 80 percent of daily trips, said Opel.

One of the electric engines is mounted on the front axle and is connected to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, while the second electric motor is positioned on the rear axle to provide full drive when needed. In total, the plug-in hybrid system offers the equivalent of 300 horsepower.

The Opel Grandland X offers its customers four driving modes: electric, hybrid, four-wheel drive and sport. While the most effective mode of driving is chosen in hybrid mode, in urban traffic the electric mode can be selected to travel without emissions. The Hybrid4 has the 3.3 kW onboard charger for charging the battery (optionally with 6.6 kW).

Opel has also integrated a braking system that recovers the energy produced during braking or deceleration and turns it into kinetic energy, which allows an increase in electric range by up to 10%.  Charging the battery to a 7.4 kW wallbox takes place in about 50 minutes.

The 300 horsepower plug-in hybrid system is similar to the one already announced for the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 and the DS7 Crossback E-Tense.

Opel will accept orders for the Grandland X Hybrid4 in a few weeks, but customer deliveries will begin in the early part of 2020.

In addition to the Grandland X, Opel will also introduce the electric Corsa in the coming weeks, which will also be launched at the beginning of next year. Opel plans to bring the next-generation Corsa, the new Zafira Life, the new Vivaro commercial vehicle and the successor to the Mokka X to the markets within 20 months. From each model, there should also be a purely electric version.



The US government wants to abolish state subsidies for electric cars and renewable energies. US President Trump would like to eliminate state subsidies for electric cars immediately, but now, a new bill in Congress provides for an extension of tax… Continue reading

Stellantis, the world's largest automotive manufacturer, has announced an investment of over 130 million euros in its Eisenach (Germany) plant. The facility, which now produces the Opel Grandland compact SUV, will also add production of the… Continue reading

The manufacture of electric vehicles will triple in the next three years, according to a study by the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), based on data by research firm IHS Markit, which indicates that this sector… Continue reading

If you're a human-driving fan, you might feel left out in the current automotive landscape. With all the hype around autonomous vehicles, electric cars, and smart mobility, there's no room for the old-fashioned joy of getting behind the… Continue reading