The Opel Grandland X will overcome any obstacle thanks to the IntelliGrip system

SUVs are presented as versatile vehicles that aim to combine everything in one and offer, in a compact package, all the best qualities of each of the existing segments. In this way, contemporary off-roaders adopt qualities typical of MPVs and traditional 4x4s, something we can see reflected in the Opel Grandland X, the German brand’s bid to enter the most flamboyant SUV market.

However, the Grandland X has been among us long enough to be considered a familiar face, but it introduces a novelty that will allow the German SUV to cross any terrain without any kind of setback. This is what Opel calls IntelliGrip, the system that delivers a very special front-wheel traction to its models, and it is an option already available on the Grandland X.

Thanks to this innovation, the SUV will be a model worth considering for more adventurous customers, who seek to venture into any kind of terrain and come out unscathed from the journey. The IntelliGrip system will satisfy those drivers who want more than a comfortable, spacious car for travelling. But that is not all, since it is not a traditional all-wheel drive system, as the Grandland X remains a vehicle that sends engine power to the front wheels.

That’s right, the German SUV features a clever front-wheel drive system that distributes the torque produced by the engine according to terrain conditions and the selected driving mode. In this way, the Grandland X offers all the qualities of a 4×4 vehicle but with the benefit of lower weight, which gives the German off-roader a lighter and more agile driving experience.

To complement this experience and give the driver absolute control of the vehicle, the driver can select from five different modes. The first is Normal, designed for everyday road or city driving. Once we leave the urban environment, Opel offers the option of selecting Mud mode, which allows the driven wheels to slip more and sends all available torque to the wheel with the greatest grip, however it can only be used up to a maximum speed of 80 km/h.

Snow mode is also available which works in a very similar way to Mud mode, transferring all available torque to the wheel with the most grip on the surface, allowing optimal progress over ice. In Sand mode the Grandland X lets the wheels slip even more, so that the SUV does not sink and can continue on its way. Finally, there is ESP Off mode, which cuts all electronic assistance and reduces the stability control system to a minimum. This type of driving is only permitted up to a maximum speed of 50 km/h.

Thanks to the different driving modes, the Opel Grandland X presents itself as a very strong option for those who need to tackle more demanding terrain. For now we do not know the price of the IntelliGrip system, but it will gradually be offered as an option on other models from both the German brand and the PSA Group.