Opel has taken another major step towards becoming a fully electric brand by announcing that every model in the German automaker’s product portfolio will be available with a battery-electric variant as early as next year. The brand with the Blitz is committed to a fully electric product portfolio in Europe by 2028.
Today’s wide range of battery-electric Opel models already extends from the popular Corsa Electric and Mokka Electric, to the Combo-e Life and the Zafira-e Life people carriers, to the Rocks Electric quadricycle, available depending on country. These vehicles have just been joined by the new Astra Electric, sporting a range of 418km WLTP and available to order as a 5-door hatch and Sports Tourer estate in Ireland from late 2023, and they will now be followed next year by the all-electric successors to the Crossland and Grandland SUV. In addition, battery-electric versions of the complete commercial vehicle portfolio are available, depending on country, including the Combo-e and Vivaro-e, together with the Rocks Electric Kargo and Movano-e. Opel will thus offer 15 fully electrified models by the end of this year alone.
The portfolio of Opel electrified vehicles features alternatives to pure battery-electric drive, powered by plug-in petrol hybrid powertrains. The Astra GSe and the Grandland GSe ranges offer a system power output of up to 300hp and strong maximum torque of up to 520 Nm, with CO2 emissions from as low as 25-28 g/km combined.
Within months, 48V hybrids will join the electrified line-up, starting with the recently announced new Opel Corsa. The 74 kW/100 hp and 100 kW/136 hp engines will come with a new dual-clutch automatic transmission. The new Corsa will thus offer customers a choice of drives, from purely battery-electric to hybrid to highly efficient combustion engines, which is unrivalled in this segment.
In the meantime, Opel is continuing to pioneer the development of hydrogen fuel cell transporters. The Vivaro-e-Hydrogen is already on the road in a number of European countries and a large fuel cell transporter is scheduled to follow in 2024.
Meanwhile, Opel has revealed a new interpretation of its iconic emblem, the ‘Blitz’, which will feature on its new models from 2024. The Blitz will continue to form a central element of the Opel Compass, one of the main features of the German carmaker’s critically acclaimed design philosophy, unveiled first on the multi-award winning Mokka and introduced since on the Grandland, Astra, and forthcoming new Corsa. Sitting proudly at the centre of the Opel Vizor brand face, the lightning bolt, or ‘Blitz’ in German, is closely associated with electricity and is the ideal emblem to symbolise Opel’s approach to the era of electromobility; Opel will offer 15 all-electric models by the end of 2023, marketing all-electric models only by 2028.
Mark Adams, Vice President design, said: “The ‘Blitz’ is the icon for our Bold and Pure philosophy. The sharpened, confident new ‘Blitz’, intersects the pure supporting ring, giving our iconic emblem a progressive, modern look. It is positioned proudly at the centre of our compass, which is our key graphic design principle. The compass is the backbone of our front, rear and interior design elements.”
Florian Huettl, Opel CEO, said: “Our ‘Blitz’ is more relevant than ever before. It not only symbolises our commitment to the democratization of innovation and mobility but also conveys our commitment to becoming a fully electric brand in Europe by 2028. This year, we will already have 15 electrified models in our portfolio and can proudly say that Opel is electric.”
The German carmaker will gradually roll out the new ‘Blitz’ across its product portfolio in the coming years with the first production vehicle set to sport the new look in 2024. However, a strong hint of how it will look in production will come much sooner.
Opel CEO, Florian Huettl explained: “The IAA Mobility is one of the biggest motor shows in the world and therefore the perfect location to proudly introduce a large, international audience to our new ‘Blitz’. And, we also have a surprise planned. Visitors of our presence in Munich will be thrilled.”
Pictured: Opel will offer 15 fully electric models in its line-up by the end of 2023, with a new all-electric Crossland and Grandland to join the range in 2024. By 2028, Opel will offer a fully electric product portfolio in Europe.