Opel resurrects Frontera as an electric SUV

Opel confirmed it will bring back yet another iconic nameplate from the 90s. The Frontera is making a comeback as an all-electric SUV. Opel also shared a couple of images although details are scarce at this point. The company claims that the all-electric Frontera will “display a new rugged interpretation of Opel’s bold and pure design philosophy.”

Judging by the images released today, it will most likely translate to angular bodywork with plenty of plastic cladding and slightly raised suspension. If you squint your eyes just enough, there’s a tiny hint of the older Jeep Grand Cherokee in the profile of the new Frontera.

The Frontera will be the first vehicle from the brand to proudly wear the new version of the company logo - known as Blitz. We get a glimpse of it in one of the teaser images together with one of the LED headlight. Opel is promising the new electric Frontera will offer plenty of room and will come with a versatile interior, something to appeal both to families and people with active lifestyles.

First Opel Frontera was released in Europe back in 1991 and remained in production for 7 years. The second generation known as Frontera B didn't last as long and was discontinued in 2004. Outside of Europe, the vehicle was known as Isuzu MU as a 3-door and MU Wizard as a 5-door SUV in Japan. In North America it was known as Isuzu Amigo and it even had a short stint as Honda Jazz - yes, Jazz used to be an SUV.

Back to 2024 Frontera - Opel is promising the new vehicle will be officially released later this year. Since the company is part of the Stellantis emporium, it’s possible the Frontera will be based on the just released STLA Large EV platform. That means it’ll share a lot of components with the new Jeep Wagoneer S but it would mean a much larger vehicle than the outgoing Crossland. In the press release Open calls the Frontera an SUV and not a crossover - suggesting we are looking at a larger vehicle than the Jeep Avenger.

Frontera isn’t the first name Opel has dusted off, the company was going to introduce an all-electric Opel Manta after the prototype was received with uproar from the public, but this plan seems to have been put on hold for now. For now we’ll have to enjoy a family-sized SUV with a familiar name and with a promise of decent performance courtesy of the new EV platform.

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