NEW OPEL GRANDLAND X PHEV HYBRID4 (4WD PLUG-IN HYBRID) – Compromise Nothing.

Opel Grandland X PHEV – Compromise Nothing.

Born in Germany, and made for Ireland, the new Opel Grandland X SUV is based on the same platform as the multi award-winning Peugeot 3008 SUV. Thanks to Opel’s 2017 takeover by the PSA Groupe (Peugeot’s parent company) the Grandland X shares many parts with the French SUV, and comes with a similar range of engines and gearboxes. The latest powertrain to join the Opel Grandland X line-up is a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which can be specified in a front-wheel-drive format with 225bhp, or an all-wheel-drive with 300bhp (HYBRID4)

Rugged & Elegant;

Muscular, sculpted wheel arches and protective cladding on the lower body give the Grandland X real beauty and genuine off-road appeal. In contrast, clear lines and the refined blade on the lower doors identify the new Grandland X as a member of the Opel family. The rear view of the Grandland X possesses real SUV character thanks to a wide stance, silver under-ride protection, protective cladding and slim LED tail-lights.

Impressive Cabin;

The cabin of the new Grandland X makes maximum use of the space available, and excellent ergonomics are guaranteed as a result. The instrument panel and centre stack with touchscreen are clearly laid out, and horizontally aligned to the driver. The centre stack has three horizontal rows of controls for fast and intuitive access to infotainment, climate control and chassis functions. The interior surfaces have a high-quality look and feel, providing the occupants with a feeling of supreme comfort in all seats. They benefit from the SUV-typical elevated seating position that facilitates access and ensures good visibility. Typical first-class Opel comfort is ensured by the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) certified ergonomic seats as well as a heated steering wheel and heated front seats in the Grandland X PHEV.

Trim & Engine Options;

Just one trim level is available in the new Opel Grandland X PHEV, while a super-smooth eight-speed automatic transmission comes as standard. This ‘Elite’ model is extremely well specified with key features such as Navi 5.0 IntelliLink satellite navigation with fully integrated European mapping, an 8-inch colour touchscreen, Smartphone projection with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, Bluetooth™ connectivity, DAB radio, voice control, 19” multi-spoke silver alloy wheels, electric mirrors, auto wipers, auto lights with high beam assist, front fog lights, power tailgate, rear privacy glass, chrome side window trim, cruise control with intelligent speed limiter, dual zone electronic climate control, 60/40 split folding rear seats, panoramic sunroof, flex floor, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, traffic sign recognition camera, LED daytime running lights, LED headlamps, emergency braking system, hill start assist, ESP with traction control, side blind spot alert, parking sensors front and rear, leather seat facings, heated windscreen, internal front seat cooling fans, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Also standard is Opel’s excellent OnStar concierge package, which can help you get to your destination, or call the emergency services in the event of an accident.

Test Car;

My test car was an Opel Grandland X PHEV (HYBRID4) Elite All-Wheel-Drive eight-speed automatic, finished in striking Pearl White premium metallic paint, with a contrasting black roof for maximum impact. With 300bhp and a hefty 520Nm of combined torque available from the 1.6-litre petrol engine and 2 electric motors, the 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in just 5.9-seconds, while leading to a top speed of 233km/h. Official WLTP (real-world test procedures) fuel consumption tests show that as little as 1.2-litres of fuel is consumed per 100km’s driven on a combined driving cycle.

On The Road;

On the road, the Grandland X PHEV possesses a soft and composed ride quality, while the precise steering is well weighted and provides terrific feedback to the driver. Uneven road surfaces are tackled with ease, and the car exudes an overall ‘Germanic’ feeling of solidity. Like most plug-in hybrids, the Grandland X has a number of different driving modes to choose from. As long as there is charge in the battery, ‘Electric’ mode keeps the Hybrid4’s petrol engine switched off and instead uses a rear-mounted electric motor. For more urgent acceleration, a second motor connected to the gearbox up front provides more than adequate acceleration up to 134km/h. With the accelerator pedal pressed hard, the petrol engine cuts in for maximum acceleration. ‘Hybrid’ mode uses a mixture of the petrol engine and electric motors to suit the current or upcoming situation, with the option to preserve battery power for later in the journey should you need it. There is also a ‘AWD’ mode that ensures all four wheels are driven at all times, through a combination of petrol power and electricity, and finally a ‘Sport’ mode that prioritises performance and rapid response from the two power sources. The Grandland X PHEV is serene when running purely on battery power and is very easy to drive in a smooth and controlled manner. It is possible to drive up to 50km in pure electric mode, while an intuitive regenerative braking function, with gear-selector adjustment, can boost this range by up to 10%.

Simple Charging;

The Grandland X PHEV keeps the charging process very simple. Its 13.2kWh battery can be charged just like a fully electric vehicle at all public charging stations, or at home by cable or Wallbox. Charging via a standard cable (mode 3) can be completed in three and a half hours, while an optional on-board charger can cut this time by 50%.

Verdict & Pricing;

The new Opel Grandland X PHEV is the German brand’s first plug-in hybrid, combining outstanding performance with impressive economy, while emissions of just 30g/km translate into annual road tax of just €170. Pricing for the new Opel Grandland X PHEV starts at just €35,950 (inclusive of an SEAI grant and VRT rebate) for the FWD 225bhp model, with the AWD 300bhp (HYBRID4) edition attracting a €10,600 premium. With the power of an SUV and the intelligence of a hybrid, the Opel Grandland X has it all. For a limited time you can discover Opel’s low-cost 2.9% APR finance offer, with 3-year’s free servicing too.

Visit www.opel.ie for further information.