New Opel Mokka SUV makes debut

The drapes have come off the all-new Opel Mokka, an all-new small SUV that could one day spearhead the German brand's return to Australia.

Built to replace the former Opel Mokka X, which was sold Down Under as the Holden Trax, the new model shrinks in length by some 125mm and gets shorter front and rear overhangs.

Despite being smaller, the wheelbase of the new Mokka actually grows fractionally by 2mm, helping the new Opel SUV provide the same level of space as the last car, although luggage capacity drops by six litres to 350 litres.

Measuring in some 10mm wider, the Mokka is claimed to pack more visual presence, coming with the car-maker's new Vizor frontal design.

Inside, the newest Opel also gains the car-maker's next-gen approach to cabin design that consists of two wide-screen displays, with a full 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver blending seamlessly with a central 10.0-inch infotainment touch-screen.

According to its creators, the new screens are flanked by a number of buttons that reduce driver distraction, mitigating the need to scroll through sub-menus for important functions.

All versions come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an internet connection that enables live traffic updates on the sat-nav. A wireless phone charger is also available.

Beneath the skin, the technical advances continue.

The 2020 Opel Mokka is based on its new parent company PSA's CMP (Common Modular Platform). The lighter yet stiffer architecture is claimed to slash around 120kg over the last model, while offering up to 30 per cent more torsional rigidity.

The same platform underpins both the Opel Corsa and Peugeot 208 superminis and, like those cars, the Mokka will be available with a full pure-electric powertrain.

Named the Mokka-e, the plug-in Opel SUV gets a 50kWh battery and a 100kW electric motor that's claimed to propel the Mazda CX-3 rival to up to 322km between top-ups in normal mode.

Switch to Eco and its makers claim an even longer range is possible, while the Sport setting sacrifices the distance covered between charges for outright acceleration, although the Mokka-e is limited to 150km/h.

Recharging the Mokka using a new 100kW fast-charger takes 30 minutes for an 80 per cent top-up.

As well as pure battery power, the next-generation Opel Mokka will be offered with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 75kW, 97kW or 115kW outputs.

A single 1.5-litre turbo-diesel will also be available with either 75kW or 97kW, while all engines will come with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

Other new tech incorporated in the little SUV include Opel's new Advanced Cruise Control system that can auto-steer to keep you in your lane on the highway.

Next-gen LED matrix headlights and a 180-degree camera are also available.

The new Opel Mokka is due on sale in Europe in early 2021, but there’s no word on whether Opel will return to the Australian market. If the rumoured 2022 date is correct, expect the Holden Trax to reappear as the new Opel Mokka around then.