Rüsselsheim, a clear autumn day. In front of the Adam Opel House are two Opel Frontera. Production models, ready for everyday use. With seats that provide support regardless of size and gender, clever ideas such as flexible retaining straps on the centre console and a cockpit that focuses on the essentials. Melanie Jopp, Nina Thiele, Ramona Syska, Dorothea Dratwa and Sonja Luch walk around the car, checking every detail. They know them all too well – after all, they were involved in the development themselves.

The Women Perspective Panel, nine colleagues from different areas, has accompanied and tested the development for years and set impulses to bring the needs, expectations and wishes of women into the Frontera. The panel was chaired by Melanie Jopp, actually Human Resources Director in Eisenach. This is exactly the principle: women from different functions and a variety of perspectives contribute their experience. Jopp remembers the first encounter: „The design language of the Frontera: rugged, masculine, wide.“ From the very beginning, the panel focused on the question: How practical is the Frontera in everyday life?

Now, five years later, there is a clear answer. „The Frontera focuses on the essentials – an everyday hero full of practical solutions and technologies that you can afford,“ says Jopp. Sonja Luch opens the driver’s door, sits down on the Intelli-Seats including the ergonomic recess, puts her hands on the steering wheel. „That’s exactly how we imagined it: clear operation, nothing superfluous. I don’t want to search, I want to drive.“ „This is my highlight in the base version: the innovative smartphone station. This gives me my own infotainment source right on board.“

Ramona Syska looks into the boot. „Whether it’s a bulk purchase, pram or camping equipment – it fits in easily.“ If there is more demand, the rear bench can be folded down in a 60:40 ratio, and a maximum load volume of up to 1,600 litres is possible. A point that the women had on their must-have list from the beginning: „The loading sill is pleasantly low,“ she adds. Meanwhile, Dorothea Dratwa tests her entry into the second row. „There is plenty of space here – even for adults.“ She points to the door shelf. „And yes, the one-litre bottle fits in as desired. Sounds banal, but it makes the difference in everyday life.“ If you need more flexibility, order the Frontera in the GS trim as a seven-seater. „This is my favourite feature,“ says Melanie Jopp.

The concept of the Women Perspective Panels has long been established at Opel. In workshops, styling clinics and during test drives, the women contributed their views and followed the implementation of their suggestions. Sonja Luch remembers the ride session in the Taunus: „For me, it was always decisive: I want to feel safe. Especially when the children are in the car. That was my benchmark on our test drives. And the Frontera gives me that feeling.“

On the winding roads of the low mountain range, it became clear how much diversity is in the details: in the seat, which offers secure support regardless of body size. In shelves that are easy to reach. With an unobstructed view to the rear. Things that seem self-evident, but only arise when different perspectives are heard. „Whether height, age, tech-savvy or not – we bring together colleagues who reflect as many different experiences as possible,“ explains Nina Thiele, Chairperson of Women of Stellantis Germany. „The team should give impulses from personal experience.“

The result is a family-friendly all-rounder that works. „For men and women alike – with a lot of aha, without chichi,“ says Melanie Jopp. The Frontera convinces with well thought-out options and a focus on the essentials: three trims, two drives. Either fully electric with a range of up to 400 kilometres or as a hybrid with 48-volt technology – efficient and uncomplicated. The offer is supplemented by the „Electric All In“ package with wallbox, charging and roadside assistance. Electromobility without hurdles.

The Frontera also remains versatile when it comes to accessories: roof boxes, racks, bags – solutions that make everyday life and adventure easier in equal measure. „With the Frontera, Opel is bringing a model to the road that is so normal that it almost seems revolutionary,“ Jopp concludes. „And at an entry-level price that is just as surprising as the car itself.“