BY Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
The Opel brand was once a force to be reckoned with in the racing circles and revered for producing fast cars. Perhaps the generation before the millenials will remember having to make the tough choice between a Golf 3 GTI and the Kadett 200is. This was so contentious, similar to choosing between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
At the risk of revealing my age, I longed to own the Opel brand. There was some allure to it, backed by a proud heritage. When I hit 30, my dream finally came true. I welcome a gold Astra 1,6 hatch, my second car. Compared to my earlier starter-pack, it came with modern trappings such as a power-steering and airbags. However, it was not remarkable and it didn’t give me problems either. It just didn’t have the fascination that came with the 200is or the Monza of yesteryear.
However, the love for Opel came back when I had the Zafira OPC on test in my early days as a motoring scribe. My heart skipped a bit. It was a mommy car with a difference. I would deliberately leave the office very late, waiting for the roads to clear. The noise made by those pipes ripped through my neighbourhood, announcing my arrival each evening. It was one of the best weeks of my life.
A lot has changed in recent times, and Opel changed owners, and with that came a change in direction. They manufacture sturdy, family vehicles – in line with what consumers want. These days they sell more SUVs. When an invitation to the launch of the Opel Grandland hit my inbox, I misread it as Granddad – a mistake I credit to my 5-year hiatus from the industry.
The day of the launch coincided with the opening of the new offices of Stellantis South Africa – the current owners of the Opel brand- we were ushered to a warehouse-like building in Midrand. The newly refreshed Grandlands were imposing in front of the building. It is a good-looking SUV that comes in a choice of 5 colours. The refurbishment means that it comes with just the right amount of bells and whistles. While most brands have taken to upselling particularly when it comes to digital offerings in their vehicles, the folks at Opel are offering a digital detox on their Pure Panel cockpit. Their reasoning is that the consumer is already bombarded by technology, and this allows them to personalise and customise the information displayed on the screen and keep their focus on the road.
Apart from new terminology, there are a number of improvements to the new Grandland that catch your eye. These include new refreshed styling, a new tailgate, a new Vizor grille, LED Pixel Light headlamps, and a 12-inch cluster, among others.
I was very surprised when they emphasised its German heritage as a selling point for this vehicle. As a former Opel owner, I’m embarrassed to admit that I always thought the Opel was homegrown since it manufactured some of its cars in South Africa while under General Motors.
The drive from Midrand to Hartbeespoort Dam was smooth and effortless. When required, it accelerated and would give you enough power. However, we chose to have a leisurely drive, similarly to what most families would when they visit the dam on a Sunday morning. The interior is comfortable and everything just works well. There are no gimmicks, just a well-put-together SUV that works. Since we’ve had a stubborn winter, the heated seats were among the features I thoroughly enjoyed.
Price:
Opel Grandland 1.6T R599 900
Opel Grandland GS Line 1.6T R679 900
Opel Grandland Ultimate 1.6T R720 900
