Opel experiences unicum: electric Grandland now also has all-wheel drive
Not that the concept is entirely new, two electric motors in a car. Just look at the Tesla Dual-Motor powertrain. OK, so now it’s the order of the day at Opel, too. Two electric motors – one of 157 kW (213 hp) on the front axle and one of 82 kW (112 hp) at the rear – combine to produce a system output of 239 kW (325 hp) and 509 Nm of torque.
Opel Grandland comes into its own
The result is worth noting. You have torque and grip in abundance, even when conditions are less than ideal. Add to that the fact that this all-wheel-drive variant has a towing weight of 1,350 kg. So suppose you need to get your watercraft from A to B, the towing weight won’t pose a problem and the wet surface probably won’t either.
The Grandland is getting seriously fast
Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, the new Grandland Electric AWD remains surprisingly efficient according to the factory specification. Average consumption is between 17.8 and 18.0 kWh per 100 km. The 82 kWh battery is good for a range of up to 501 kilometers according to the WLTP standard. Fast charging is also smooth: in less than half an hour you charge from 20 to 80 percent. That makes this version just as suitable for long vacation trips as it is for daily use and stoplight sprints.
Otherwise just still good
Not only does the towing weight offer practicality, the Grandland also sits well in terms of space. The luggage space measures 550 liters and grows to 1,645 liters when you fold down the rear seats in three parts (40/20/40 split). With that, the Grandland offers enough space for large suitcases, sports equipment or complete camping gear.
In terms of looks, the AWD version follows the same course as the rest of the new Grandland family. The 3D Vizor grille, illuminated Opel logo (“Edge Light”) and 20-inch bi-color aero rims make it look broad and confident. With a drag coefficient of 0.278, it also glides smoothly through the air. Inside, you immediately recognize what we praised earlier in our test of the Opel Grandland (2024): nice legroom in the rear (+20 mm), AGR seats for your back and durable materials that don’t feel like a cheap compromise.
Time for an overview
Okay, so an additional electric variant has now been added. But which variants are all there? We list that:
- It starts with the Hybrid, with a 1.2-liter Turbo Hybrid eDCT and 48V technology. It produces 96 kW (136 hp) and comes as Edition and GS. No socket needed, but it does get a boost from the electric motor when accelerating and around town.
- Those who do want to drive partially electric will end up with the Plug-in Hybrid. It combines a 1.6-liter turbo engine with an electric motor for a system output of 143 kW (195 hp). The electric driving range is 87 kilometers (WLTP), enough for most commutes without burning gasoline. Again, you can choose from an Edition or GS.
- Then there is the step to all-electric. The Grandland Electric with 73 kWh battery delivers 156 kW (213 hp) and achieves up to 523 kilometers of range (WLTP). There is a choice of Electric Edition and Electric GS.
- For those who want to go even further, there is the 82 kWh Electric GS, also with 156 kW (213 hp), but with a range of up to 583 kilometers (WLTP).
- New to the range is the Grandland Electric AWD. This version has two electric motors: front 157 kW (213 hp) and rear 82 kW (112 hp), together good for 239 kW (325 hp) and 509 Nm of torque. This allows it to sprint to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and get as far as 501 kilometers on a full battery.
With this new version, Opel takes an important step: it combines the efficiency of electric driving with the versatility of all-wheel drive and a generous towing capacity. But whether this version also offers the most convincing overall package remains to be seen. After all, for those who want to drive partially electric, there is also a plug-in hybrid powertrain. You can hear the answer in this video.