Wednesday 20 June 2012

New Opel Mokka - German engineered SUV


New Opel Mokka - German engineered SUV chassis for European needs
 
  • Intelligent AWD system adapts automatically to road conditions
  • Clever chassis system in Mokka SUV for urban use plus off-road capability
  • High comfort and safety with optimized wheel suspensions and 4 wheel disc brakes

    Opel engineers have completed the final validation drives of the all new Opel SUV, the Mokka. The drives were carried out in Germany before its sales launch towards the end of this year. The Mokka’s sophisticated and German engineered chassis which has been tailored to the needs of European customers was one of the focal points of its development. The chassis is perfect for urban lifestyles with all the advantages of off-road capability.

    Intelligent All Wheel Drive System for Excellent Traction


    Apart from Front Wheel Drive (FWD), the Mokka can be fitted with an All Wheel Drive (AWD) technology for better traction and handling. The AWD technology is efficient, clever and affordable for a wider segment of customers and is only activated on demand. The AWD system combines the advantages of improved vehicle handling, especially in bends and ensures that there is enough traction for example in the case of wheel slip. However, it also recognizes when AWD is no longer required. For example, when the vehicle is moving in a  straight line on a highway, it is driving in high grip conditions with all the torque on the front wheels. This is when the vehicle is in FWD mode and good fuel economy is provided. 

    In order to enhance the ride experience and handling, torque is seamlessly and automatically shifted from the front to the rear axle depending on traction or driving situations. The torque distribution can therefore be varied seamlessly from 100-0 to 50-50 when there are low grip conditions. Overall, the driver benefits from a system that adapts automatically to the prevalent road conditions. The entire AWD system including all its components only weighs 65 kilograms so that the Mokka provides environmentally friendly fuel efficiency.

    Sophisticated Chassis ensures Best Ride and Handling
    The chassis of the Mokka ensures maximum ride and handling performance even under difficult road conditions. On the front suspension, MacPherson struts which already have a successful track record in other Opel vehicles were further optimized by Opel engineers. They did this by adding side load compensation springs, dual path strut mounts and double bonded handling bushings to improve the ride and handling experience as well to enhance noise and vibration performance of the car. On the rear suspension, the Opel engineering team included a U section tubular shaped torsion beam ahead of the rear wheels. This compound crank axle is developed with two different designs to fit the AWD and FWD variants. That allows drivers to experience best possible handling and body control for every powertrain.

    Enhanced Safety Features now on Board
    Four wheel disc-brakes both on the front and rear axles provide high heat resistance and high performance braking capabilities. The ESP of the Mokka is state of the art and includes special features like Hill Start Assist (HSA) and  Hill Descent Control (HDC), which maintains a constant speed when the Mokka drives downhill and ensures that the vehicle speed does not exceed 20 km/h during a descent. 
    In addition, to get the most out of the vehicle chassis, the Opel engineers opted for Electric Power Steering (EPS) which provides more speed sensitive steering assist to the driver is standard across all Mokka SUVs.

    All new SUV Mokka combines the best of Opel design and engineering
    Opel’s all new SUV, the Mokka, expands the company’s product portfolio, making it the first German brand to enter the growing sub-compact sports utility vehicle segment. Despite its 4.28 meter measurement, the Mokka generously accommodates five people in a commanding position. It also delivers on Opel’s promise to combine attractive design with innovative technologies and upmarket functionalities, making them accessible to a wider segment of customers.

    Power is provided by three efficient engines. All manual transmissions are equipped with the fuel saving Opel Start/Stop system. The gasoline offer comprises an 85 kW/115 hp, 1.6 liter naturally aspirated engine with 155 Nm torque as well as a 103 kW/140 hp 1.4 l Turbo with 200 Nm of torque. On the diesel side, there is a 96 kw/130 hp 1.7 CDTI turbo diesel with 300 Nm of torque that offers high fuel economy and low emissions. The 1.7 CDTI is available either with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. The 1.4 Turbo will initially be available with the same manual transmission but later on also with an automatic transmission.


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