Opel Grandland X hides kinship well

Like the Crossland X, the Grandland X is the result of Opel's collaboration with the French PSA (as well as the Citroën and Peugeot brands). Car manufacturers are looking for common denominators of the design features of different cars. For Volkswagen, it's easier, it has many brands in its range that can use the same components in many models. PSA has long found a partner in the European part of General Motors. So they sat down with the Opel designers and came up with enough ideas to use the same design fundamentals. Thus, the Opel Crossland X and Citroën C3 Aircross were created on the same basis. Grandland X is related to Peugeot 3008. Next year we will meet with the third joint project - Citroen Berlingo and partner Peugeot will transfer the design to Opel Combo.

Grandland X and 3008 are a good example of how you can make different cars on the same basis. It's true that they have identical engines, gearboxes, fairly similar exterior and interior dimensions, and of course most of the body parts under the outer sheet are completely different shapes. But the sailors managed to design their own product well, which will remind few people that it still has a French relative. Despite the different starting points, the Grandland X has certainly retained a lot of what we've become accustomed to in recent years with Opel vehicles. At the core is the exterior design, which is justified by family features (mask, front and rear LED lights, rear end, panoramic roof). The interior also has a family feel, from the design of the dashboard and instruments to the AGR seats (extra). Those who know that the Grandland's twin is the Peugeot 3008 will wonder where its distinctive i-cockpit digital lighting has gone (along with smaller gauges and a lower steering wheel). Those for whom digitization itself doesn't mean much unless it's meant to be used properly may be even more satisfied with Opel's interpretation of the driver's environment. There's even more data available in the center display between the two gauges than on Peugeot's digital readout, and the classic steering wheel is big enough to be the right choice for those who don't like a mini steering wheel that might even resemble a Formula. 1. Of course, mention also the two Opel front seats marked AGR. For a reasonable surcharge, Opel owners in a car can feel not only like a kind of dispatcher (due to a higher seating position), but also comfortable and reliable.

Those looking for a modern crossover design car will decide to buy the Grandland. Of course, in many ways Opel's product resembles the basic off-road body design. It is taller and therefore offers more space at a shorter distance (it can easily compete with the longer Insignia in terms of roominess). Of course, this will also convince many customers who would otherwise be happy with Astro. It has not been decided yet, but it may happen that Zafira will "drop out" from the Opel sales program in a year or two, and then the Grandland X (or extended XXL) will probably suit such buyers.

Opel has opted for a combination of two engines and two transmissions to launch the proposal. The 1,2-liter petrol three-cylinder is more powerful, and experience from the PSA lineup so far shows that it is perfectly acceptable, whether it is connected to a manual or (even better) automatic transmission. For those who appreciate more difficult progress and in this case moderate fuel consumption, this will be the right decision. But there is also a 1,6-liter turbodiesel. It has everything that such an engine should have in terms of the latest diesel complications, that is, a generous addition at the end of the exhaust system, including a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter and aftertreatment with a selective reduction catalyst (SCR) with AdBlue. additive (urea injection). An additional capacity of 17 liters is available for it.

Also, from the point of view of modern electronic assistants, Grandland X fully corresponds to the level of the modern offer. Headlights (LED AFL) with flexible mode, electronic traction control (IntelliGrip), Opel Eye camera as the basis for traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with speed limiter, collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. and driver control, blind spot warning, 180-degree panoramic rearview camera or 360-degree camera for a full view of the vehicle's surroundings, automatic parking assistance, keyless entry and start system, heated windows on the windshield, heated steering wheel, as well as front and rear wheels seat heating, door mirror lights, ergonomic front AGR seats, hands-free electric tailgate opening and closing system, personal connection assistant and Opel OnStar services (unfortunately due to Peugeot), whose roots do not work in Slovenian), the latest generation IntelliLink infotainment systems, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (the latter is not yet available in Slovenia), with a color touchscreen up to eight inches, inductive wireless smartphone charging. Most of these accessories are of course optional or part of individual hardware packages.

text: Tomaž Porekar · photo: Opel