Opel is one of the oldest German car brands so it would’ve been a dying shame – literally – if their slight bankruptcy had taken them down. Instead, the PSA Group swooped in to save the day…
You should know: This is vital information because Opel were busy with chic super-mini hatchbacks (the Adam), weird MPV’s and various OPC hot-heads when the cash run out. And after the Citroën-Peugeot alliance grabbed them under each arm, it was only natural that Opel would follow the current status quo: building half a hundredweight of SUV’s.
More info: So here is the biggest one they make today: the Grandland. It trumps their Mokka and Crossland in size and fire-power, and is also closely related to some French cousins; in this case, Peugeot 3008 and 5008, as well as Citroën C5 Aircross. That may not be terribly exotic but it is terribly good for saving costs and inflating the bottom line.
What else? Our market only gets a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol 4-cylinder (and 6-speed auto-box) with 121kW and 240Nm, while other countries also have a choice of 3-pot turbos, plug-in hybrids or a few turbo-diesels. Happily, this 1,598cc unit is among the most powerful on offer and can hold its own against most established rivals.
Ditto for its claimed average fuel use of 7L/100km from the 53L tank.
Why you shouldn’t: The critic in me will quickly point out that this Grandland simply drowned in the seemingly infinite sea of forgettable crossovers. Yeah, it has cool design touches and of course the interior is clever and luxurious but that goes for every single one of its competitors. This one’s price is fairly decent but its dealer count isn’t…
Why you should: However. If you’re an Opel fan, or you’re shopping for a disposable five-year family car, this multi-European front-wheel drive with its confident stance and generous specs (in “Ultimate” versions) is worth a test-drive. Each new Grandland comes with a 5-year/100,000km warranty and matching service plan.
FULL SPEC LIST
| Engine: | 1,598cc in-line 4-cylinder turbo-petrol |
| Transmission: | 6-speed Automatic, FWD |
| Max. Power: | 121kW @ 6,000rpm |
| Max. Torque: | 240Nm @ 1,400rpm |
| Avg. cons.: | 7.0L/100km |
| 0-100km/h: | 8.23 (no claim) |
| Top Speed: | No claim |
| List Price: | From R599,900 (R720,900 for this Ultimate) |
THE BLACK COLOUR SUITS IT
Where can i take it for a test drive?