Opel, part of the Stellantis group, will present at the Munich Motor Show in early September the concept of a radical electric SUV in which the steering wheel can be folded away when it is not needed. This concept, called Experimental, will become a production car, probably in 2025, and may be produced in Italy.

The Opel Experimental is an SUV coupe with similar dimensions to the Astra, and the German brand will launch a range of all-electric models based on the STLA modular platform from the Stellantis group (which includes brands such as Fiat, Lancia, Citroen and Peugeot).

The STLA Medium platform allows you to build cars with batteries with a capacity of 87 to 104 kWh and a maximum autonomy of 700 km.

​Opel announced in the summer of 2021 that from 2028 it will sell only electric cars in Europe and will return to the market, in the form of a modern electric car, a successful name from the past of the brand: the Manta model.

In the first half of 2023, Opel had a share of 3.8% in the European car market. compared to last year. Opel sold 190,000 cars in the EU in the first six months of the year.

Opel sales in Europe consistently exceeded 1.4 million vehicles in the 1990s, but have fallen below 500,000 in recent years.

The company says that the exterior dimensions place the Opel Experimental in the compact C-segment, while the interior is similar to a D-segment car. “, the Germans say.

“This was made possible by the space cleansing (space detoxification) inside the Opel Experimental. The steering wheel folds smoothly when not needed. This is made possible by a steer-by-wire system that further reduces weight by eliminating mechanical steering components. In addition, the lightweight adaptive seats combine a compact yet durable design with fabrics manufactured using 3D technology. They provide the extraordinary seat comfort characteristic of Opel cars, and at the same time help to free up space inside this concept car,” says the company.

The concept will be presented at the Munich Motor Show, which will be held from September 4 to 8.

“With its ultra-modern exterior design, the Opel Experimental offers a clear vision of the direction in which the Opel brand will move in the coming years. Highlights include state-of-the-art aerodynamics, a spacious and well-lit cabin with easy seats and a state-of-the-art head-up display,” says Opel.