By: Dave Abrahams
Port Elizabeth - Opel's first compact SUV, released in South Africa today, is the third of what the maker calls its 'new Germans', following in the tyre-tracks of the Adam and the new Corsa.
It's powered by Opel's familiar 1.4-litre Ecotec turbopetrol, tuned in this application for 103kW from 4900 - 6000 revs and 200Nm from 1850 - 4900rpm, and driving the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto transmission.
Opel quotes a 0-100km/h sprint time of 9.8 seconds for the manual, with a top speed of 196km/h, and a nominal fuel-consumption figure of six litres per 100km. The self-shifter takes 10.7 seconds for the sprint and top out at 191km/h while burning a nominal 6.6 litres per 100km.
MacPherson struts with side-load compensation springs, dual-path strut mounts and double-bonded bushings keep the front wheels on the straight and narrow, while a U-section tubular torsion beam does duty at the rear.
Stability control with hill hold is standard across the range, as are tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control with speed limiter and remote central locking. A rear-view camera is available on the higher-specced Cosmo models, linked to front and rear parking sensors and dynamic parking assistance lines on the infotainment screen.
EcoFlex drive assist indicates optimal gear-shift points, linked to an economy index with a 50km history graph and idle-stop on the manual models.
CONNECTIVITY
Opel's Intellilink infotainment system is optional on Enjoy derivatives and standard on Cosmo variants, with a six-speaker radio/CD/MP3/USB/aux/Bluetooth sound system linked to a seven-inch button-operated colour display, complete with voice control, SMS display and audible read-out.
With the rear seats up, luggage capacity is 356 litres; with the 60:40 flip and fold rear seats flat, that goes up to 1371 litres - and there's still space for a 16-inch steel-rimmed spare under the floor.
The base-level Enjoy trim includes front and rear fog lights, daytime running lights, speed-sensitive power steering with a multi-function steering wheel, a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, aux and USB input, a driver's armrest, electronic climate control, a trip computer, a solar-absorbing windscreen, colour-coded door handles, electric and heated side mirrors, power windows with one-touch up and down all-round, a folding key, 17-inch alloy wheels with a full-size steel spare and black cloth upholstery.
The upmarket Cosmo models add auto windscreen wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic headlights with active high-beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, electric folding mirrors, an eyewear holder, heated front seats, interior ambient lighting, rear privacy glass, 18-inch alloys, leather upholstery, a heated, leather-bound steering wheel, a rear arm rest and a 230V power socket, ideal for charging phones or laptops.
PRICES
Enjoy 1.4T - R288 500
Enjoy 1.4T AT - R298 500
Cosmo 1.4T - R325 500
Cosmo 1.4T AT - R335 500
These include a five-year or 120 000km warranty and a five-year or 90 000km service plan linked to service intervals of 15 000 km.