Remember the Vauxhall Frontera? If not, don’t worry; we won’t hold it against you. The last time this name crossed our paths, it adorned Vauxhall’s inaugural attempt at a 4×4, a distinctly ’90s vehicle that, to be candid, wasn’t widely acclaimed—a rebadged Isuzu, to be precise.
Contrary to popular sentiment, Vauxhall seems to harbor a certain fondness for the Frontera. Today, they’ve announced its resurgence, slated for later this year in the form of a new electric SUV. A logical move, considering the current automotive trend.
Much like its predecessor, which targeted a demographic of youthful, adventurous individuals with an affinity for the outdoors, the new Frontera is poised to position itself as a robust ‘lifestyle’ SUV. Described as “a fun car with clever functional features,” Vauxhall claims it will present a fresh, rugged interpretation of their existing design language.
Presently, all we have is the industry-standard enigmatic side profile teaser image (albeit at a slightly unconventional angle) and a close-up showcasing Vauxhall’s familiar ‘Vizor’ front grille signature.
While the teasers don’t reveal much beyond the vehicle’s boxy, upright silhouette, it’s evident that it lacks substantial ground clearance, suggesting a more crossover-like appearance rather than a genuine off-road contender.
Although the images remain silent on the new Frontera’s dimensions, Vauxhall assures us of a “high level of space and versatility.” From day one, it will be an all-electric vehicle, marking another step in Vauxhall’s commitment to electric mobility, with the entire range expected to offer an EV option by the close of 2024.
Notably, there’s no mention of hybrid or traditional internal combustion engine versions at this juncture.
Beyond these details, much remains unknown. It’s reasonable to speculate that the new Frontera will utilize one of Stellantis, the parent company’s, scalable platforms, but the specific one remains a mystery.
While it might be easy to adopt a cynical stance toward Vauxhall’s decision to revive a somewhat forgotten and not widely adored name, the original Frontera does exude a certain appeal in its chunky ’90s aesthetic. Considering the brand’s recent design endeavors, there’s optimism that the new iteration will be visually appealing as well.
Stay tuned for more updates and a comprehensive reveal later this year. In the meantime, there’s a playful suggestion circulating for the revival of more overlooked ’90s Vauxhalls—perhaps a new Calibra? Anyone up for that?
