Opel, the German car brand owned by Stellantis, has revealed the name of its new concept car: Opel Experimental. The vehicle, which will debut at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich in September, is designed to showcase Opel's vision for the future of mobility and its commitment to electrification.
The Opel Experimental is a compact crossover that combines a sleek and futuristic design with advanced technology and features. The car has a distinctive front end with a large LED screen that displays the Opel logo and various messages. The screen is part of Opel's new "Vizor" design language, which aims to create a seamless integration between the car and its surroundings.
The car also has a spacious and minimalist interior, with a large curved display that spans the entire dashboard. The display provides information and entertainment for the driver and passengers and access to Opel's digital services and connectivity features. The car has four individual seats that can be adjusted for comfort and space.
The Opel Experimental is a design exercise and a statement of Opel's ambition to become a fully electric brand by 2028 in Europe. The car is based on Stellantis' eVMP platform, which is dedicated to electric vehicles and can accommodate various battery sizes and powertrains. The platform also enables fast charging and long-range capabilities.
According to Opel, the Experimental will have a range of more than 400 kilometers (248 miles) on a single charge and will be able to recharge up to 80% of its battery in 30 minutes. The car will also have a power output of more than 300 kilowatts (402 horsepower), making it one of the most powerful electric vehicles in its segment.
The Opel Experimental is not only a preview of Opel's future products but also of its future identity. The car reflects Opel's new brand values: pure, progressive, and approachable. The company wants to appeal to customers looking for innovative and sustainable mobility solutions without compromising style or performance.
Opel is not alone in its quest to electrify its portfolio and reinvent its image. Many other automakers are racing to catch up with the market leader, Tesla, who has dominated the electric vehicle space for years. Tesla has sold more than any other electric vehicle maker.
However, Tesla is facing increasing competition from established and emerging industry players. Companies like Volkswagen, Hyundai, Ford, and General Motors have launched or announced new electric models that aim to challenge Tesla's dominance. Meanwhile, startups like Rivian, Lucid, Nio, and Xpeng have raised billions of dollars from investors and customers to bring their own electric vehicles to market.
The electric vehicle market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, driven by consumer demand, regulatory pressure, and technological innovation. According to a report by BloombergNEF, electric vehicles will account for more than 50% of new car sales by 2040 globally and more than 70% by 2050.
The Opel Experimental is Opel's attempt to position itself as a market leader and demonstrate its ability to deliver attractive and affordable electric vehicles for the masses. The car is also a sign of Opel's confidence in its future under Stellantis, the world's fourth-largest automaker formed by the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler earlier this year.
Stellantis has pledged to invest more than $35 billion in electrification and software development by 2025 and to offer electrified versions of all its models by 2030. The company has also announced plans to build five battery factories in Europe and North America, as well as partnerships with battery suppliers and technology companies.
