30th Birthday Opel Monterey: Off-Roader for Discerning Buyers

• Onwards and upwards: Following Opel Frontera, Monterey extended off-road model range
• Two versions: short-wheelbase RS seated four, long variants with up to seven seats
• Capable character: Robust design mastered every terrain
• Today’s SUV flagship: Opel Grandland as plug-in hybrid and with all-wheel drive

Comfortable passenger car or rugged off-roader? Until the early 1990s, customers in Europe had to make a conscious decision. Everything changed in 1991 with the arrival of the Opel Frontera, which as an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) “recreational vehicle”, combined the best of both worlds – and with huge success. German carmaker went a step further in 1992 – exactly 30 years ago – and presented the Monterey, a recreational vehicle aimed squarely at the upper end of the off-road market. Opel Monterey combined stylish bodywork and off-road ability with a high level of comfort and plenty of space. A concept that continues to delight customers today: the newest edition of the Opel Grandland has assumed the role of SUV flagship in the brand’s current model line-up; with a bold and pure design and Opel Vizor front end, plus advanced technologies such as adaptive IntelliLux LED Pixel Light and, of course, electrified as a plug-in hybrid with the option of all-wheel drive. Foundation for the success of today’s SUV and crossover models Grandland, Mokka and Crossland was laid three decades ago by the Monterey and Frontera.

Opel Monterey: New challenger in the upper off-road sector

With the introduction of the Monterey in 1992, Opel extended its range of attractive off-roaders into the upper market segment. Result of cooperation between Opel and its sister brand at the time, Isuzu, the Monterey was tailored for the European market where demand was high for a combination of off-road capability and passenger car comfort. And the Monterey was right on the button: top functionality, rugged looks. Spare wheel mounted on the tailgate clearly signalled the off-road character.

Opel Monterey was available in two body styles and three trim levels. Opel offered the Monterey RS as a short wheelbase three-door with four seats. Opel Monterey and Monterey LTD came with a long wheelbase and the option of five or seven seats. 

Thanks to the high seating position, the driver commanded good all-round visibility, while the passengers enjoyed generous head and legroom. Armrests for the driver and front passenger further increased the comfort. Opel Monterey was also highly practical – with the rear seats folded down the luggage volume grew to 2,548 litres; Opel SUV could tow 2,600 kg too.

A chassis for all surfaces: Comfortable for the road, robust for the rough

Opel Monterey was designed for everyday driving as well as for venturing “off-piste”. Independent front suspension comprised double wishbones, while at the rear the Monterey featured a rigid rear axle with longitudinal links, a Panhard rod and progressive-rate coil springs.

Off-road use was enabled by the robust design of all the relevant parts. Spring travel of 205 millimetres at the front and 230 mm at the rear ensured that the Monterey could master difficult terrain such as ditches and ruts with ease, even on a sloping hillside. Reduction gear allowed it to tackle inclines of up to 76 per cent. Further prerequisites for trips off the beaten track included a wade depth of 600 mm and ramp angles of up to 45 degrees, as well as approach/departure angles of 40/31 degrees respectively. Every Monterey featured as standard free-wheel hubs at the front.

A choice of two powertrains provided the matching performance – a four-cylinder diesel with 3.1-litre displacement and a 3.2-litre petrol V6. The 130 kW (177 hp) V6 was particularly smooth and limousine-like. With this engine, the Monterey could also accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 170 km/h.

State-of-the-art updates: “No Stop All-Wheel Drive” and new powertrains

One of the most important improvements of the 1996 model year was the electronically controlled “No Stop All-Wheel Drive”, fitted as standard equipment. At the touch of a button, drivers could engage AWD at up to 100 km/h from the comfort of their seat. System made the Monterey safer as well as more convenient – drivers could switch on the benefits of AWD not only when going off-road but also in the event of unexpected slippery surfaces.

New edition of Opel’s off-road flagship made its premiere at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show. Highlights among the numerous updates included a newly designed front end as well as several improvements in performance, safety and fuel consumption. Two newly developed powertrains stood out in particular – a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel. With the latter, the 1998 Monterey was the first off-roader worldwide to combine four-valve technology with common rail direct injection. Compared with its predecessor, the new diesel engine offered significantly improved power (+40 per cent) and torque (+28 per cent) together with lower fuel consumption. Opel Monterey could also tow up to 3,300 kg – at the time, one of the highest ratings in the class.

In 1999, after seven years in production, Opel Monterey reached the end of the road. Bestseller over the years was the Monterey LTD with top-of-the line equipment; a sign even then that customers wanted a blend of dynamic elegance and high versatility with innovative technologies. It therefore comes as no surprise that this combination remains in high demand today – right up to date with electrification and a stylish appearance – in the shape of the Opel Grandland SUV flagship.