Opel brings sportiness and driving pleasure with their GSe range, and you can read our positive comments in our columns on the Astra GSe. But besides the Astra, the popular Grandland SUV, is now also offered in this more dynamic GSe version, and Opel has gone all the way with a 4 WD variant, having two electric motors combined with a 147 kW/200 HP 4 cylinder petrol engine. The front electric motor is good for 81 kW/110 hp, the rear electric motor develops 83 KW/113 hp. Total system power is a whopping 300 HP and what’s even more important, one enjoys a delightful 520 Nm of torque… Driving pleasure warranted, we would say, just read further!

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Sporting exterior…

The Grandland gets now besides its earlier “sunvisor” front restyling a further makeover with sporting touches: last but not least the nice 19 inch alloys which are taken straight from the Manta electric prototype, a distinct rear spoiler and a black painted engine bonnet color, which costs you not even 200 Euros extra and make the Grandland visually very attractive. Of course, Opel aficionados know that the sporting Kadetts and Mantas had their engine hoods also painted (matte) black as was “de rigueur” in the rallying world in their days, and Opel continues this tradition.

Smooth power…

So there is plenty of oomph with this Grandland GSe. Despite its 1867 kilo kerb weight, the car will sprint from 0 to 100 in merely 6,1 seconds, and is a true “Autobahnmeister” with a top speed of 235 km/h. Also in pure electric mode, the two electric motors provide ample power for dynamic driving.

The power delivery is very smooth indeed, and also when driving slowly in very dense traffic, there is not the slightest hint of jerkiness and also vibrations are virtually absent. The noise level of the very efficient petrol engine is very subdued.

The driver has the choice between several driving modes:

Electric: In electric mode, the Grandland GSe, the 113 HP rear electric motor is the default power unit. When the driver presses the accelerator fully (kick-down), the combustion engine and the front electric motor switch on. Performance with the sole rear motor is adequate, the the top speed with purely electric drive is 135 km/h.

All-wheel drive: In all-wheel drive mode, the Grandland GSe is driven by the front and rear wheels. The vehicle offers permanent electric all-wheel drive and runs purely electrically in all-wheel mode up to 80 km/h. If a wheel spins, or when more power is required and/or the state of charge of the battery drops, the combustion engine switches on, which it does anyway at speeds above 80 km/h.

Sport: this mode combines the power of the combustion engine and the electric motors.

Hybrid: Here the car always runs in the most efficient way. Depending on the driving conditions and driving style, the combustion and electric motors work together or separately, and this is steered automatically.

Suffice to say that during our test, we drove the Grandland GSe mostly in this very smooth hybrid mode.

Just notice that when you push the gear selector two times backward, you engage the “B” mode, and when you lift the throttle, the electric motor acts as a generator.

Consumption depends of course totally on how you drive the Grandland and how frequently you (re)charge it. The consumption according to the WLTP norm is 1.2 l/100 km, CO2 emissions are 28-27 g/km. When driven in urban traffic with restraint, a consumption around 7-8 litres/100 km is possible, with this SUV thi is no small feat…

… and a superbly well tuned suspension and steering.

All this performance must of course not only be used in a safe and responsible manner, but is also to be thoroughly enjoyed.

Therefore, the Opel engineers, led by Dr. Christian Hartweg, got seriously to work on the chassis and steering.  The result is impressive to say the least, and indeed puts a smile on your face…

They equipped the Grandland (and the Astra GSe models) with special KONI FSD dampers.

Depending on the situation, road surface and driving style, the special springs and dampers with KONI FSD technology enable different damping characteristics. This means comfortable gliding at high shock frequencies – with short impacts such as on cobblestones – as well as for a sporty, ambitious driving style and more direct contact with the road at low frequencies in suspension movement.

The car is more responsive and agile. There is virtually no body roll in corners, and is absolutely stable under heavy braking, cornering and at high speeds on the Autobahn.

The key of this FSD technology lies in the fact that the dampers have an additional valve and a second hydraulic circuit. The car is consequently either more comfortable or sportier to drive, depending on whether the valve is open or closed.

The steering was also newly calibrated, and indeed adds greatly to the driving pleasure with its added precision.

Excellent seats, well finished cabin

The seats deserve almost a separate chapter. Excellent in lateral support, these alcantara clad beauties take also very good care of your back, as they are AGR certified orthopedic seats…

The choice of materials is very good, and the “less is more” dashboard layout philosophy in found in the two large touchscreens with clear, uncluttered info on them, reduced to the max as they say, and indeed very restful for the driver.

Under these displays is an array of round “analog” knobs, which are fully self explaining and let you get to terms with this Grandland in a breeze.

Their styling is not as clean and angular as one finds in the new Astra, as they breathe the styling language of a few years ago, but they are a joy to use.

The Grandland offers good space fore and aft, the room in the luggage compartment is somewhat restricted by the second motor, but the rear seats have a split folding layout and they leave an opening for longer items, so this Grandland is very fit for everyday family use.

Conclusion

This Grandland has some formidable qualities: smooth, fast, sporting, roomy, well styled and last but not least well built. It is electrified, therefore future safe. Its hybrid character lets you enjoy undisturbed mobility, and that’s something we increasingly appreciate. So have a long look at this one!

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