fbpx

A Dynamic Drive

WORDS — ASHLEE LALA

Bright colours and bold prints, especially when it comes to activewear, is one of my signature style traits.

 

So, when I realised after teaching a 6am yoga class on a sunny summer morning that I had left my gym bag with my more professional attire sitting by the front door at home, I sheepishly arrived at the Opel Showroom wearing my patterned yoga leggings and a fluro jumper. Introducing myself to the Opel team, they smiled and said, “This car is going to suit you well. You look very… Opel.”

 

It didn’t take long for me to understand what they meant. The first thing I noticed when taking in the appearance of the Mokka-e was the sporty silhouette, strong lines and floating roofline. If you have an appreciation for bold aesthetics and distinctive graphic identity, this is the car for you.

 

The interior architecture of the vehicle continues to speak the language of German design, featuring Opel’s own PurePanel – a digital display consisting of two screens (one 12in, the other 10in) that wrap around the driver. The touchscreen display has streamlined access to music and navigation, without anything unnecessary or overcomplicated (ideal if you’re a technophobe like me).

 

I felt safe and comfortable driving this car around central Auckland, especially because all of the driver assistance features (including lane departure warning, emergency braking, and a forward collision system) are always on which is one less thing to think about when on the go from place to place.

 

The overall vibe is that perfect balance between hassle-free and fun; the six-point sound system contributes in a big way to uplifting my energy and keeping me in a good headspace while manoeuvring through busy traffic. As someone who’s frequently on-the-move, I also appreciated the real-time traffic updates, saving me from the fuss of continually refreshing Google Maps on my phone at the traffic lights.

 

While any electric vehicle carries the advantage of reducing emissions, the Mokka-e is particularly notable for the exceptional handling from its electric motor. The instant torque provides a responsive driving experience, while the lightweight electric powertrain is superbly balanced to handle Auckland’s tight city streets. Also, with the lack of engine noise, it’s a remarkably serene ride.

 

While I’m mostly a city-slicker during the week, like most of us I do enjoy escaping the urban routine from time to time, and the Mokka-e is perfectly equipped to also handle longer distance travels, with next-gen battery technology providing up to 363km on just a single charge.

 

The team at Opel were right, the Mokka-e does suit me well. It’s bold, it’s fun and it’s stylish. It’s a refreshing break away from my old, preconceived idea of what constitutes an SUV and stands out from the crowd. For anyone looking for a compact SUV that is both sustainable and efficient, with impressive range and advanced technology, this car is sure to impress.

 

The Mokka-e is available for purchase with the iOWN finance offer from $209 per week, no deposit required, making it easier to get into an EV sooner. This is the same amount many people spend on fuel per week. For more information, visit opel.co.nz.