The off-road SUV segment just got more exciting as Opel unveiled their latest concept car at the XS Carnight tuning event. The German brand used the prestigious gathering at Lake Wörthersee in Austria to launch the Frontera Gravel, a show car that takes adventure to the next level.
Frontera Evolution: From Crossland to Adventure Beast
Opel’s small off-roaders entered a new era with the launch of the new Frontera last year. Not like the Crossland, which was a van-SUV mongrel, the new Frontera is a proper SUV – with an electric and hybrid tack for every punter.
Taking things up a notch is the Gravel concept, which Opel describes as “rougher, tougher, made for life beyond the asphalt”. The show car was a joint project between Opel’s Rüsselsheim design team and motorsport tuning specialists BlackFish and XS.
Design Philosophy: Adventure Meets Functionality
The Frontera Gravel’s looks come from carefully chosen design elements that balance style with off-road capability. The concept has a Desert Stone foiling as the main colour, with matt black roof and bonnet for a bold contrast.
Orange is vital to the vehicle’s adventure DNA. It’s applied on the exterior mirror housings, front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler as well as the orange Opel flash in the black Opel Vizor.
Key Features
Exterior:
- Desert Stone body with matte black roof and bonnet accents.
- Orange accents on mirrors, bumpers and spoiler
- Winch and front hook system
- Grid-pattern roof rack for extra load space
- Side storage boxes at rear
Lighting and Visibility:
- Roof rack mounted lights
- Bonnet mounted lights for off-road use
- Night terrain driving package
Adventure:
- Front winch system for recovery
- Towing hook integration
- Roof cargo system
- Weatherproof exterior storage
Market and Future
The idea “is to introduce adventure cars to this market,” says Rebecca Reinemann, Opel’s Marketing Director. The Frontera Gravel is a trial balloon of sorts designed to gauge customer interest in tougher, expedition-ready iterations of Opel’s SUVs.
The show car is Opel’s exploration of the adventure vehicle segment where customers want cars that can handle daily commutes and weekend adventures. While series production is not confirmed, the concept shows the brand is willing to push the boundaries.
Read more: All-New Maruti Suzuki Fronx 2025 First Look: Bold Looks, Big Tech, 35+ kmpl Efficiency
Technical Foundation
Based on the standard Frontera, the Gravel concept features both electric and hybrid powerplants. This twice-the-fun philosophy in adventure capability should mean making an environmentally responsible choice does not have to come at a personal lifestyle compromise for buying an SUV today.
The concept’s design philosophy is to expand the car’s operational range beyond urban and highway environments. Every modification has a functional purpose, from extra lighting for low visibility to more cargo space for longer adventures.
FAQs
Q: Will the Opel Frontera Gravel go into production?
A: For now, the Frontera Gravel is a show car concept. Opel hasn’t confirmed production intentions but the concept is to assess the appetite of adventure themed derivatives.
Q: What makes the Frontera Gravel different from the standard Frontera?
A: The Gravel has off-road equipment like front winch, additional lighting, reinforced roof rack, side storage boxes and Desert Stone design with orange accents.
Q: Where was the Frontera Gravel concept unveiled? A: The concept was unveiled by Opel at the XS Carnight show at Lake Wörthersee in Klagenfurt, Austria on May 30, 2025.
Q: What engines are available in the Frontera range?
A: That’s not the case with the Frontera, which falls in line with Opel’s range of electric and hybrid options.
Q: Who worked on the Frontera Gravel?
A: The concept was developed by Opel’s Rüsselsheim design team and motorsport tuning partners BlackFish and XS.
Q: What’s the inspiration for the Frontera’s design?
A: The new Frontera is inspired by the original 1990s Opel Frontera, back to the real SUV spirit compared to the crossover style predecessor Crossland.
