I've always been a fan of electric cars. Ever since I drove an electric car for the first time, I was hooked on the instant torque, the silent acceleration, and the futuristic feeling of driving a car powered by electrons. But I also love driving fast, and that's where most electric cars fall short. They may be quick off the line, but they can't sustain high speeds for long without draining their batteries or overheating their motors.
That's why I was intrigued when I heard about the next-generation Opel Crossland, a compact crossover that will be 100% electric next year. Opel is a German brand that has been making cars since 1899, and it is now part of the Stellantis group, which includes Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Chrysler, and Dodge. Opel has a reputation for making reliable, practical, and affordable cars, but not necessarily exciting ones.
But the new Opel Crossland promises to change that. It will be based on the same platform as the Peugeot e-2008, which is already one of the best electric crossovers on the market. The Opel Crossland will have a 50 kWh battery pack that will give it a range of up to 205 miles (330 km) on the WLTP cycle. It will also have a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor that will propel it from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 9 seconds and up to a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h).
But its design makes the Opel Crossland stand out from other electric crossovers. It has a sleek and sporty look that is inspired by the Opel GT X Experimental concept car from 2018. It has a bold front grille with LED headlights and daytime running lights that form a V-shaped signature. It has a two-tone roof contrasting with the body color and giving it a dynamic appearance. It has muscular wheel arches that house 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels. And it has a rear spoiler that enhances its aerodynamics and adds some flair.
The interior of the Opel Crossland is equally impressive. It has a spacious, comfortable cabin that accommodates five passengers and their luggage. It has a digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch or 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It has wireless charging and USB ports for smartphones and other devices. It has advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and emergency braking. And it has an optional head-up display that projects key information on the windshield.
The Opel Crossland is stylish, smart, and fun to drive. It has three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Eco mode optimizes energy consumption and reduces the power output to extend the range. Normal mode balances performance and efficiency for everyday driving. And Sport mode unleashes the full potential of the electric motor and enhances the responsiveness of the throttle and steering.
I had the chance to test drive the Opel Crossland on some twisty roads in Romania, where it will be produced at the Stellantis plant in Craiova starting next year. Thanks to its low center of gravity and advanced suspension system, I was impressed by how agile and stable it was on corners. I was also surprised by how quiet and smooth it was on straight roads, thanks to its sound insulation and its regenerative braking system.
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The Opel Crossland is not only a great electric car but also a great value proposition. It will start from around $29,000 (24,900 euros) in Europe, which is cheaper than most of its competitors, such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia e-Niro, or the Volkswagen ID.3. It will also come with an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty on the battery pack and a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty on the rest of the car.
The Opel Crossland is a great electric car. It combines style, performance, practicality, and affordability in a way that few other cars can. It is the perfect car for anyone who wants to drive fast and green. It is the car that will make me switch from a Tesla to an Opel.
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