2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
The two-seater looks futuristic. But Opel's electric city runabout doesn't just have visual value, it has a good chance of becoming a reality.
This year's IAA (September 15 to 25) is also dedicated to alternative drives. In the past, manufacturers often limited themselves to pure display objects, but this year a new realism seems to have found its way into the Frankfurt exhibition halls. With vehicles such as the latest generation of the electric smart or the BMW i3 concept, many manufacturers are now showing alternative vehicle concepts that are ready for series production.
Opel packs two occupants in a row
With a sensational, battery-electric concept vehicle, Opel is also setting more than just visual accents at the industry show: the cigar-shaped, futuristic city runabout, which houses two occupants placed one behind the other, weighs two thirds less than today's small cars, which weigh at least a good ton, thanks to consistent lightweight construction Bring the scales. With a top speed of 120 km / h, it would even be suitable for (city) motorways.
A look at the model strategy shows that the Opel study is not a pure "design spinning mill" that disappears in the "box" quickly and never to be seen again after the trade fair, but could become an important component in the alternative product range The Rüsselsheim chief developer believes that fuel cell technology is the future of the automobile. Purely battery-powered electric cars, on the other hand, have always been seen at Opel as niche products for inner-city use. With good reason: The range of the currently available electric vehicles is limited - and will remain so for the foreseeable future for technical reasons and due to the lack of charging infrastructure.
Opel in a pioneering role
On the other hand, the fact that there is already a lot of demand for emission-free city mobility is shown not least by the success of the Ampera. The electric car with range extender covers between 40 and 80 kilometers purely electrically in the city and is perceived by test customers as a fully-fledged car without compromising comfort and driving performance.
It is not without pride that Opel speaks of having put the first "fully everyday series electric car" on wheels. The fact that thousands of pre-orders for the Stromer have already been placed across Europe months before the market launch underscores the company's claim to be in a pioneering role in emission-free city mobility.
High potential for series production
According to the Rüsselsheim-based company, the small tandem two-seater also has high potential for series production soon due to manageable production costs. The low energy costs, which according to the example calculation should come to one euro per 100 kilometers, also speak for its competitiveness.
With a variant throttled to 45 km / h, as is also offered by Renault for its electric two-seater Twizy, which will be available from the end of the year for 6990 euros, it would be drivable for 16 year olds even without a driver's license. Small but subtle difference: In contrast to the French, the Rüsselsheimer has completely closing doors. Another point that could make the IAA study the perfect "entry-level model" in the world of electric mobility. (mid)
