VAUXHALL RELAUNCHES THE FRONTERA FOR AN ELECTRIC ERA - AND IT HAS PATENTED SEATS THAT PROMISE TO ALLEVIATE BACK ACHE

For those of a certain vintage, you will remember Vauxhall's boxy Frontera 4x4 - a somewhat underwhelming family off-roader available from 1991 to 2004.

Two decades after the nameplate was ditched following cliff-edge sales towards the end of its production run, Vauxhall bosses have now brought it back to help spearhead its electric vehicle (EV) assault.

The compact SUV, which is available as a petrol or fully electric model, will rival the likes of the Ford Puma and Nissan Juke.

And its USP will be comfort, with the company claiming it will debut a patented seat design that will alleviate back pain on long journeys.

The new Vauxhall Frontera will hit UK roads this year, replacing the ageing Crossland crossover with a slightly larger body and chunkier looks.

It is underpinned by parent company Stellantis' new 'Smart Car' platform, which is already used for the Citroen e-C3.

By sharing platforms, the automotive giant will be able to reduce costs and therefore keep purchase prices relatively low for customers in Europe and the UK.

Sitting below the Mokka in Vauxhall's model line-up, prices for the entry petrol should start from around £20,000, while the fully electric version will ring in at a premium of a few thousand pounds.

In terms of powertrains, it will be available with the choice of a standard 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol or one with the addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

These will be mated to the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or an auto powering just the front wheels. An all-wheel-drive variant isn't expected.

The EV - which will be called the Frontera Electric - is set to arrive offering a range in the region of 200 to 250 miles on a full charge.

Given Vauxhall's promise to become an exclusive EV brand from 2028, this is the one that will be on sale the longest. 

Available from launch, it will also be one of the least expensive electric cars on the market - though won't get anywhere near the Dacia Spring EV's £14,995 low entry price. 

James Taylor, managing director at Vauxhall, said: 'With its combination of rugged design, spaciousness, clever solutions and efficient powertrains, our new Vauxhall Frontera will appeal to a wide range of customers who want to stand out from the crowd. 

'It is ideally suited to the urban and sub-urban environment with a fully electric version available from launch.'

More practical and supremely comfortable

The Frontera will offer a boost in practicality over the outgoing Crossland, especially in terms of spaciousness.

The boxier proportions of the body should translate to additional head and elbow room for occupants, while the boot will have 50 litres of extra luggage space.

Vauxhall says the boot compartment can store up to 460 litres at any time - fold the rear backrests down, and the load lugging capacity increases to 1,600 litres.

It also arrives with a patented comfort feature called Intelli-Seats in the front.

The chairs feature a unique slot that's designed to relieve the pressure on the tailbone – ensures outstanding comfort even during long trips. 

And for those with an eco-conscious mindset, the seat fabrics are also available in a fully sustainable recycled material.

Up front, the cabin is loaded with tech.

This includes a fully digital cockpit with two 10-inch displays and infotainment system. 

Users can also charge their devices using a cooled wireless charging dock, while there are four USB ports in total - two in the front and a pair for rear seat occupants.

With first deliveries promised before the end of the year, the Frontera's 20-year hiatus will come to an end very soon. 

2024-04-09T11:37:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd