Opel Frontera Gravel Concept breaks cover as a bold, off-road-inspired vision of the brand’s family-friendly electric SUV. This one-off design study shows what happens when city utility meets dirt-road dreams. The big question is whether this rugged-looking EV has real trail talent or if it’s simply dressed for the role.
Unveiled ahead of its official public debut, the Frontera Gravel concept packs a range of off-road features. Opel’s design team in Rüsselsheim, Germany, partnered with BlackFish and XS motorsport specialists. Together, they created a showpiece intended to capture the attention of off-road enthusiasts and electric vehicle fans alike.
The exterior styling turns heads with its matte Desert Stone finish and blacked-out hood and roof. Orange accents splash across the skid plates, mirror caps, and badging, giving the vehicle a distinctive and aggressive presence. On top, the Thule Canyon XT roof rack offers room for extra cargo, complemented by auxiliary LED lights designed for dark trails—or dim parking lots. A front-mounted winch, side storage box, and rear-mounted snow tracks complete the image of a serious adventure machine.
Rolling on 16-inch Borbet CWE wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, the Frontera Gravel doesn’t just look the part—it promises better grip for occasional off-road ventures. These features cater to light trail use or “soft-roading,” rather than hardcore rock crawling, but they do add functional enhancements to the SUV’s standard build.
Inside, the rugged theme continues. The cabin features microfiber seats with orange stitching and a black headliner, creating a sporty and purposeful atmosphere. This design aims to reinforce the idea that EVs can blend everyday utility with weekend exploration.
Despite its adventure-ready appearance, the Opel Frontera Gravel Concept remains based on the standard front-wheel-drive Frontera Electric platform. Underneath the modifications lies a single 115 kW electric motor (equal to 154 hp) powered by a 54 kWh battery. Opel claims a range of up to 400 km per charge, which is respectable for its segment. However, the absence of an all-wheel-drive system could deter serious off-road enthusiasts looking for full traction on tricky terrain.
That said, a dual-motor configuration isn’t out of reach. Other vehicles under the Stellantis umbrella—like the Jeep Avenger 4Xe—use a similar approach to enable all-wheel drive by adding a second motor at the rear axle. Opel hasn’t confirmed any plans to follow suit, but the platform likely allows for future updates if demand justifies it.
For now, Opel refers to the Frontera Gravel as a concept-only design, but that may change. The car will appear publicly at the XS Carnight event in Wörthersee, Austria, on May 30th. Opel is clearly using this debut as a testbed to evaluate interest in a tougher-looking Frontera variant.
Rebecca Reinermann, Vice President of Marketing at Opel and Vauxhall, emphasized the vehicle’s purpose: to “fire up the fanbase and test demand for a bolder, more rugged Frontera.” That indicates genuine interest from Opel in exploring a production model, especially if the reception at events like XS Carnight is positive.
In a growing market for compact SUVs with off-road appeal, the Opel Frontera Gravel Concept could become a competitive player. It offers a stylish, eco-friendly alternative for those who want the appearance of adventure without sacrificing daily usability. Whether or not it goes into production, the concept sends a clear message—Opel is thinking about a future where electric SUVs do more than just commute.
For more electric SUV news, check out our coverage on future EV trends and new concept cars.
