The Opel Grandland X PHEV expands its options with a more affordable front-wheel-drive variant

Following the arrival of the Vivaro-e, Corsa-e and Grandland X, Opel continues to expand its offensive of electric vehicles. The lion brand has just announced the arrival of the front-wheel-drive Grandland X plug-in hybrid in the Spanish market, positioned as a more accessible option that is just as committed to the environment. Thanks to strategies like this, vehicles that rely on electricity as their main or complementary source of power become a more feasible choice for those buyers who cannot afford the high outlay this type of mobility demands.

Opel has a very clear path ahead and promises to offer electrified versions of all its models by 2024. This second plug-in hybrid version of its most flamboyant SUV is a clear example of this, and of the transformation that is on the way across the German brand’s range.

But returning to the car at hand, we find a mechanical layout very similar to that of the version we knew until now. As a proper hybrid system, what powers the Grandland X PHEV consists of a 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 180 CV and an electric motor providing an additional 110 CV.

With both powertrains working together, the German SUV delivers a generous 224 CV and 360 Nm of torque. But that is not all. Thanks to its plug-in hybrid architecture and a 13.2 kWh battery, the front-wheel-drive Grandland X can cover up to 57 kilometres on the WLTP cycle in electric mode, allowing its potential buyers to benefit from the sought-after and highly demanded ECO label.

The German house also wants to push this type of solution, which can prove very useful for covering urban journeys or even road trips without using the combustion engine. But what happens when the battery runs out? Opel says that, as long as you use a Mode 3 cable with the optional 7.4 kW charger, it will be possible to enjoy the full potential of the Grandland X PHEV in less than two hours.

Yes, it is true, all of this sounds very appealing, but what about the price? This new front-wheel-drive version has a starting price in Spain of 43,100 euros but, thanks to the various incentives available for purchasing this type of vehicle, the total figure drops to a much more attractive 34,800 euros.