Sometimes things just click and inevitably a grin sets in. Not out of politeness. But because a feeling of childlike anticipation arises. The Opel Frontera GRAVEL is such a case. Roof racks, winch, sand boards, coarse all-terrain tyres. As if someone had drawn an SUV for adventure and then said: „Come on, we’re going to build this now.“ Peter Junghanns is waiting opposite the Adam Opel House, key in hand. Next to him is the show car, orange accents on a sand-coloured body. „Come on,“ says the manager for brand content, „we’re going for a ride.“

The doors fall firmly into the lock. Black headliner, microfibre on the seats, orange contrasts. The interior was made by the “Lederklinik” with a lot of attention to detail. Otherwise, the interior of the Frontera is as expected – spacious, intuitive to use and comfortable. One push of the start button and the GRAVEL starts moving silently, powerfully. It does not have any licence plates. The car has just come from the photo shoot. So a short lap of the factory premises must suffice. It is enough to understand what this car wants – and what it doesn’t.

Frontera is a name with history. The GRAVEL opens a new chapter. In the 90s a robust off-road vehicle, today a fully electric and family-friendly SUV. With the show car, the old longing for gravel and wanderlust is awakened again. Especially visually. The conversion was created in cooperation with experts such as XS, BlackFish and carstyle.me.

The technical foundation is close to series production: the all-electric Frontera, front-wheel drive, 113 hp, 143 km/h top speed. We are steering the GRAVEL past the development centre. The lugged tyres on 16-inch Borbet rims sing audibly on the pavement. They were so well received at the premiere in Klagenfurt that the manufacturer now wants to offer them as accessories.

The show car was also well received by media representatives. AutoBild awards the Frontera GRAVEL „visually a ten out of ten.“ Vision Mobility sees a „wild mix with potential“ and gives the advice „Please build it!“. Blick writes: „Opel makes its fans dream.“ Edison draws a comparison with the bicycle industry: „Opel is focusing on the gravel trend – not with a bike, but with a car.“

What remains at the end of the test drive?

A broad grin. Colleagues who give the thumbs up at the sight of the show car on the factory premises. Opel wants to arouse emotions with the Frontera GRAVEL – and has succeeded. But does Opel also want to stoke anticipation? The company is well aware that fans are asking about four-wheel drive via various channels. And whether the GRAVEL will actually go into series production? Unfortunately, we don’t have answers to these questions yet. Opel is testing how far it can go with the show car. And the community gives a clear answer: They want more.