The Opel Mokka X, which is about to leave the scene, was a huge success in Europe (much less in Portugal because of paying Class 2 at tolls, a situation that was only rectified in 2019, with the reformulation of the law), even because it has 4×4 system option, important in northern European countries. But also for having “brothers” Buick (Encore), in North America and China, and Chevrolet (Tracker), in Brazil.
The new generation loses the "X" becoming, simply, Opel Mokka and it is no longer made on the technical basis of a General Motors car to start “descending” from a PSA Group platform.
For this reason, it no longer has all-wheel drive, which made it a unique proposition, or very close to it, in the compact SUV segment in Europe and earned it many sales in this continent. But at PSA only partially (for now) or fully (in the future) electric models can have four-wheel drive.
100%… PSA
For southern European markets, however, this is not a relevant issue. The new Opel Mokka will sit on the rolling base of the DS 3 Crossback, which has been on the market with combustion engines and a 100% electric version (E-Tense) since last year.
Karsten Bohle, engineer responsible for the dynamic development of the new Mokka explains to me that “there is a great desire to see the car hit the market because between its low weight, compact dimensions and well-tuned chassis, the road behavior is really outstanding. . And that even makes the final work of the dynamics refinement fun and not even noticeable the long hours behind the wheel each new day.”
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The rolling base is then the “multi-energy” platform CMP (Common Modular Platform) from the PSA Group, which can work with different types of propulsion. In the case of the 100% electric version, the Mokka-e of 1.5 t will move thanks to an electric motor with a maximum output of 136 hp and 260 nm and its 50 kWh battery should guarantee a range of more than 300 km.
In contrast to what happens with the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, it should not have its maximum speed limited to 150 km/h, because that would greatly affect its use on the “hurried” German highways (autobahns). Recharging should take five hours on a wallbox with a power of 11kWh, while at a charging point of 100kWh it will be possible to charge 80% in just half an hour.
The petrol and diesel versions will be much lighter (no more than 1200 kg), but also slower in acceleration and speed recovery. The new platform, and also Opel engineers, allowed the new Mokka to lose around 120 kg of weight compared to its predecessor.
The range of engines is known in this segment in the PSA Group, that is, three 1.2 Turbo petrol cylinders and four 1.5 Turbo Diesel cylinders, with powers from 100 hp to 160 hp, in conjunction with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearboxes speeds, something in which the models of the French consortium remain unique in this segment.
GT X Experimental Influence
In terms of design, there will be few similarities with the French model, both inside and out, being much closer to what we know in the very recent Corsa. Some details have been retained, on the other hand, from the GT X Experimental concept car.
In the list of optional equipment there will be advanced contents such as LED matrix headlights, real-time navigation system, driving assistants, electric seats and access to the car via smartphone, which the Mokka owner can also use to enable (remotely via of an application) for a friend or family member to drive your car.
New Opel Mokka, when does it arrive?
When it hits our market in early 2021, the entry price should start marginally below 25 000 euros , as happened in the previous generation, but the most interesting version for Portugal will be the 1.2 Turbo, three-cylinder and 100 hp, the same power as the 1.4 replaced which, however, was a heavier car, with worse performance and more spender .
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