It is considered "Opel Frontera". Specifications, reviews of this machine are very positive. What is special about her? It should be told about it.

The beginning of the story

First, I would like to talk a little about how this model appeared, before telling what technical characteristics the Opel Frontera has. Feedback will also be considered later. And it all started in the 90s. Then civilian cars, characterized by increased cross-country ability, were only gaining their popularity. And in the end, the leaders of the GM concern decided: it was necessary to release a new model with Opel's signature lightning on the radiator grille.

The novelty was presented to the attention of the public in 1991. However, despite the fact that it was an Opel model that had not yet been seen before, it cannot be called new with confidence. And all because two years earlier, ISUZU released cars such as Wizzard, AMIGO and RODEO. In America, this car was sold under the name Many, by the way, confuse it with a modern small car, but this is wrong.

The technical characteristics of the Opel Frontera car were very good. The reviews were encouraging too. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was also sold in Australia. In a word, the new car has become international.

By the way, the developers knew that people who had previously driven ordinary cars would mainly buy this car. Therefore, they tried to make the off-road SUV as similar as possible to a passenger car. In 1998, a significant modernization was carried out. To this day, there is a heated debate about whether the 1998 model can be taken for a new car, or is it really just a significantly redesigned first generation car. By the way, the “Frontera” produced before 1998 was designated by the letter A. And the next version became known under the marking B.

Appearance

Before talking about the engines of the Opel Frontera car, technical specifications, reviews, gas mileage, as well as all other important nuances, it is worth mentioning its design. So, this all-terrain vehicle looks very interesting. If you compare it with the same or Nissan Pathfinde, you can see how it looks like a passenger car. It has a low roofline, as well as a very unusual slope of the rear pillars. All this gives a certain similarity with an ordinary passenger car. The novelty is offered in two versions - with three and five doors. The first of the listed versions is distinguished by a plastic removable casing. If this is done, then the all-terrain vehicle will remain without a roof. The second model has a soft top, and it can also be removed. The wheeled version of the 5-door car is 43 centimeters larger. And the rails visible on the roof increase the versatility of the all-terrain vehicle.

Interior

The front panel of cars that were released before 1995 is somewhat similar to those that were installed in cars of the 80s. Particularly attract the attention of large buttons located at the edges. Two levers are visible from the transmission tunnel. One is for gear shifting. And the second is the transfer lever.

Light landing in the driver's seat is noted. The seat is below. This was done so that people changing from a passenger car to an all-terrain vehicle would quickly get used to a new “breed” car. In other words, so that they do not experience discomfort.

There is a lot of space in the back. Passengers will feel comfortable - there is enough space both in the legs and above the head. It is worth noting the fact that the rear windows in the 3-door modification do not fall. But! They can be squeezed out. This creates a ventilation gap. As you can see, the technical characteristics of the Opel Frontera all-terrain vehicle are quite interesting.

Reviews in 1992 inspired the creators to introduce some changes. The fact is that until 1995, the lower part of the trunk (it consists of two parts) opened down, and the upper one, respectively, up. But the owners of the cars said that it was not very convenient. The developers have improved this part. After 1995, the lid simply folded to the side.

By the way, the trunk volume is 430 liters. But if you fold the rear row backs, it will increase to 1570 liters. The maximum volume of the luggage compartment in the three-door version is 1170 liters.

"Opel Frontera": specifications

Reviews in 1993, like comments from owners left in any other year, inspired the developers to all sorts of ideas. All the words of the people who own this car prompted specialists to upgrade in 1998. But first, let's talk about the basic version.

So, the body of the model stands on a very strong frame, which increases its rigidity and reliability. Under the hood of the earliest all-terrain vehicles (produced before 1995) was a 2-liter 115-horsepower 8-valve engine. This unit was considered reliable. He stood under the hood of other Opel models - Vectra and Omega. The earliest models were equipped with 125-horsepower 2.4-liter gasoline engines. But then they installed a unit with a volume of 2.2 liters, with a capacity of 136 liters. With. With a brand new gasoline engine, the car could accelerate to hundreds in just 13.5 seconds, and the maximum speed limit was 161 kilometers per hour. As you can see, the first Opel Frontera cars had good technical characteristics.

Reviews diesel received very positive. Indeed, until 1995, only a diesel engine was placed under the hood. And even though its power was only 100 liters. With. (with a volume of 2.3 liters), it was reliable and economical. About 10 liters per 100 kilometers in the city! A very good indicator for an SUV. By the way, the maximum speed was 147 km / h. But many people were not satisfied with the declared power, so in 1997 a new 2.5-liter diesel plant was released, producing 116 hp. With.

Other indicators

Almost every Opel engine was equipped with a timing belt drive. The only exception is the diesel 2.8-liter engine and the petrol V6 that appeared after 1998. The belt is able to withstand 60,000 kilometers, and after replacing it, it is advisable to install a new pump. The chain can withstand 500 thousand km. In general, the Opel Frontera car is very well and soundly assembled. The technical characteristics of the 1995 reviews left by the owners are described in detail. Motorists paid special attention to the gearbox. Yes, even if the all-terrain vehicle was offered only with “mechanics”, but it is very reliable! And the backstage oil seal and bushing wear out only by 150,000 kilometers. And the clutch on such a machine nurses more than 100-150 thousand kilometers.

Owners about the cross-country ability of the all-terrain vehicle

The owners pay the most attention to the story about the off-road qualities of this car. They assure: any off-road is possible for this car. No matter how deep the depressions or potholes are, no matter how broken the road is, the car will pass any obstacle. And for driving in particularly difficult places, there is a Part Time 4WD all-wheel drive system. Only the owners advise not to drive like that all the time. If it is always engaged, the front clutches will wear out too quickly. And they are not cheap.

1998

And now about the technical characteristics of the updated Opel Frontera. Reviews in 1998 were very varied. The news made a lot of people happy. The people who bought it assure that a more comfortable and easy-to-handle car simply did not exist in those days. And even now, 18 years after the release, it looks very decent against the background of other SUVs.

Naturally, the owners note excellent cross-country ability and functionality. You don’t need to think about where to park the car so that curbs do not interfere, because you can also easily assess the traffic situation for several cars, notice a traffic police post from afar or a pit a few meters away. Again, it's a Jeep. They also note a high level of safety, a reinforced chassis and durability. And finally, three more main advantages - a non-rotting body, low price and maximum comfort. For all this, people fell in love with this car.

By the way, in the 1998 models, either a 2.2-liter diesel engine or a 3.2-liter gasoline V6 could stand. Of the features - ABS, an electronic all-wheel drive system, a 4-speed automatic transmission (optional), direct fuel injection, disc brakes, a 5-link rear suspension, as well as improved handling and a more modern appearance.

The second generation Opel Frontera debuted back in 1998 and was produced until 2003, however, due to a number of qualities, the model is still in demand in the secondary market, these cars can often be seen on busy city streets. In fact, the SUV is a European version of the Isuzu Rodeo with several significant changes, they mainly affected the appearance and powertrains.

Opel Frontera has an angular design typical of that time. It has small rectangular headlights, the same grille, consisting of thin horizontally oriented ribs. The off-road character of the model is emphasized by massive bumpers with rectangular fog lamps, plastic door linings, swollen wheel arches and small roof rails. They not only give the car a unique appearance, but also perform an extremely important function. With the help of them, you can install an additional rack or fasteners for sports equipment on the roof.

Opel Frontera dimensions

Opel Frontera is a mid-size crossover with two rows of seats, available in three and five-door body styles. The overall dimensions of the three-door are: length 4268 mm, width 1814 mm, height 1755 mm, and the wheelbase is 2462 mm. The five-door version is slightly larger: 4658 mm long and 2702 mm wheelbase. In both cases, the ground clearance is 192 millimeters. This is a good indicator, thanks to which the crossover will easily cope with difficult road conditions, and will also be able to storm medium-sized curbs when parking.

Trunk Opel Frontera can please with its spaciousness. With the backrests of the second row of seats raised, 518 liters of free space remain behind. This is enough for the daily tasks of a city dweller, and for a long journey. If, by a whim of fate, the owner needs to carry a larger load, he can always fold the second-row backrests and free up to 1,790 liters of usable space.

Opel Frontera engine and transmission

Opel Frontera is equipped with two power units, automatic or five-speed manual gearboxes, as well as an all-wheel drive system. Thanks to such a variety, the crossover becomes quite versatile, everyone can choose a package according to their taste and wallet.

• The base engine of the Opel Frontera is a 2198 cubic centimeter naturally aspirated inline four. Thanks to a good displacement, the power unit develops 136 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 2500 rpm of the crankshaft. With such an engine and a manual transmission, the crossover accelerates to a speed of one hundred kilometers per hour in 13.4 seconds, and the speed ceiling will be 162 kilometers per hour. Unfortunately, the engine can not be called economical. The fuel consumption of the Opel Frontera will be 15.8 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers at an urban pace of movement with frequent accelerations and braking, 8.9 liters during a measured trip along a country road and 11.4 liters of fuel per hundred in a combined driving cycle.
• The top engine of the Opel Frontera is a V-shaped naturally aspirated petrol six with a volume of 3165 cubic centimeters. The large displacement allowed the engineers to squeeze out 205 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 290 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm of the crankshaft. With such a power unit and a manual transmission, the car accelerates to a speed of one hundred kilometers per hour in 10.3 seconds, and the maximum speed, in turn, will be 184 kilometers per hour. This engine has a pretty good appetite. Opel Frontera fuel consumption will be 17.2 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers at an urban pace of movement with frequent acceleration and braking, 10.2 liters during a measured trip along a country road and 13 liters in a mixed driving cycle.

Outcome

Opel Frontera is deservedly in demand in the secondary market. It has a discreet and stylish design that perfectly emphasizes the character of its owner. The crossover will look great both on busy city streets and on dirt roads away from civilization. Salon is a realm of high-quality finishing materials, well-adjusted ergonomics, practicality and comfort. Even a long trip will not bring unnecessary inconvenience to the driver or passengers. The manufacturer is well aware that a car is not a toy and, first of all, it should bring driving pleasure. That is why, under the hood of the Opel Frontera there is a powerful and technologically advanced engine that will last for many kilometers and give unforgettable emotions from the trip.

Specifications Opel Frontera

station wagon 5-door

SUV

• width 1 814mm
• length 4 658mm
• height 1 755mm
• ground clearance 192mm
• places 5

station wagon 3-door

SUV

• width 1 814mm
• length 4 268mm
• height 1 755mm
• ground clearance 192mm
• places 5

Test drives Opel Frontera

Secondary market December 27, 2006 Universal soldiers (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Nissan Terrano II, Opel Frontera)

When a versatile vehicle is required in a household, the choice often falls on an SUV. But each member of the family has their own requirements for him. The head of the family wants the jeep to be framed (how else to go hunting or fishing?) And at the same time medium in size for easy maneuvering in the city. The wife wants a car that is roomy enough for Sunday shopping and trips to the country. Also to get the kids to school. Children, in general, do not care - if only the car was a prestigious enough brand so as not to blush for it in front of classmates. Plus, a list of desirable qualities: good handling, reliability, efficiency, inexpensive maintenance and repair .. There are such SUVs. These are "Mitsubishi Pajero Sport" (1999-2005), "Nissan Terrano II", produced from 1999 to 2004 (from 2002 it became simply called "Terrano"), and the latest generation of "Opel Frontera" (1998- 2004). All of them have a frame structure with a rear axle beam suspended on springs and a front independent torsion bar suspension. The transmission is also almost the same. On well-paved roads, these jeeps are rear-wheel drive. On slippery asphalt or off-road, the front axle is connected - tough, since there is no center differential. Each of the three cars has a reduction gear and a rear differential lock. Engines - gasoline and diesel 4- and 6-cylinder, with the exception of "Terrano II", which has only "fours". Moreover, diesel modifications of these models in the secondary market are more common than gasoline ones.

With a three- or five-door body, produced from 1991 to 2004. The model is not Opel's own development. This is the result of badge engineering (from the English badge engeneering, that is, “rework by hanging the nameplate”) - the release of the Japanese Isuzu SUV with minor external changes under the name Opel Frontera. Depending on the number of doors and the market, this "Japanese" is known as Isuzu Rodeo, Wizard, MU (short for "Mysterious Utility" - "mysterious purpose car"), Amigo and Honda Passport (in the USA). In the first generation Frontera cars, everything was Japanese except for the engine, which was either assembled in Germany or Italy. It is curious that the SUV itself was produced at the English IBC (Isuzu Bedford Company) Vehicles plant in Luton.

Story

The history of the Frontera began with the three-door SUV Isuzu Mu, which debuted in Japan back in 1989. A year later, the five-door Isuzu Wizard was introduced, which was built on the basis of the 1988 Isuzu Faster pickup truck. The Wizard borrowed the body and most of the internal components from the Faster. MU and Wizard, like Faster, were produced with rear and all-wheel drive.

In the second quarter of 1989, sales of a three-door under the name Isuzu Amigo started in the United States, and in 1990 a five-door Isuzu Rodeo model was introduced. In 1991, the SUV reached Europe (premiering at the Geneva Motor Show), where it began to be sold under the name Vauxhall Frontera (in the UK) and Opel Frontera (in the rest of Europe). The car was produced at the IBC plant, which back in the 1980s came under the joint control of Isuzu and General Motors.

In 1995, the first modernization of the SUV took place - the rear suspension springs were replaced with springs, and new engines appeared. Then the interior of the SUV changed, including the dashboard. And in the summer of 1998, the car was discontinued.

The second generation Opel Frontera was released in Europe in the fall of that year, when General Motors took full control of the IBC plant. The new SUVs were equipped with 2.2-liter gasoline and diesel engines with direct injection. There was ABS, CARIN navigation system, airbags. External changes were minimal (the contours of the car became a little smoother), but the front and rear tracks increased and a five-link rear suspension appeared.

In 2004, the production of Opel Frontera was stopped due to low demand for the model.

Technical features

Opel Frontera is picky about the quality of the oil used in it. The owners of this model are advised not to save and fill in good imports.

A characteristic feature of the five-door Fronter is the ability to open the upper glass and the lower part of the tailgate separately. Three-doors were produced either with a hard plastic part of the roof over the rear passengers, or with a removable soft one.

The off-road vehicle is rear-wheel drive by default, however, it has the ability to temporarily connect all-wheel drive for off-road use. For cars of the second generation, this requires reducing the speed to 100 km / h and below. For first-generation SUVs, this requires a complete stop.

The Frontera has been out of production for a long time, and in the used car market you can buy it for a relatively small price. If you find Frontera in good condition, then it will serve its owner for a long time. The SUV is characterized by excellent cross-country ability, and its frame structure guarantees durability, even if the body is corroded.

Fronter owners strongly recommend monitoring the condition. After a run of 60 thousand km, the belt may break if it is not changed. Only in the 2.8-liter engine there is no such problem, because a durable chain is installed instead of a belt.

Comparison with classmates

If we compare the Opel Frontera with the same "veterans" of the used SUV market, such as the Nissan Patrol and Suzuki Grand Vitara, then we can note that the "German" has a slightly higher ground clearance (230 mm versus 200 mm for Suzuki and 220 for Nissan ), which makes it a little more passable off-road.

Against the backdrop of rivals, Frontera cannot boast of a capacious trunk (390 liters versus 668 liters for Nissan), but Suzuki has even less (275 liters). Patrol is bulkier and heavier, but this is also reflected in the price - in the market for used SUVs, Frontera is cheaper than competitors.

Safety

According to the results of a series of crash tests in 2002, the European association EuroNCAP awarded Frontera three stars out of five for the protection of adult passengers and one out of four for injuries caused to pedestrians during a collision. The organization's website says that the Opel Frontera does not withstand head-on collisions well. The steering column in such impacts can cause serious injury to the driver's chest. His knees are also in danger. However, the height of the SUV provides good protection against side collisions: impacts fall below the seating level of the driver and passengers, so even in the absence of side airbags, the car provides them with decent protection.

Opel was one of the first automakers to start official deliveries of its SUVs to Eastern Europe and Russia. Opel Frontera was among the first foreign cars that officially entered our country in the early 1990s.

Frontera means "border" in Spanish. In 1992, based on the Isuzu Trooper, they created a luxury version of the Frontera called the Opel Monterey, which translates from Spanish as "king of the mountain." The model has a more expensive finish and a high level of equipment.

Due to the great popularity of the Opel Frontera in Russia, this model can be seen in numerous domestic films and TV series, including "Streets of Broken Lights", "National Security Agent", "Gangster Petersburg" and "Stargazer", as well as "Artifact" and "Mama , do not be sad".

In 2005, the Opel Frontera was revived by the Chinese, starting to produce this model under the name Landwind X6 with five doors and Landwind X9 with three doors.

From 1993 to 1996, the three-door Opel Frontera was sold in Japan under the name Honda Jazz, by which two generations of roomy compact five-door hatchbacks are better known.

The world premiere of Frontera took place in 1991 in Geneva. The car is interesting in that it is not completely German, but is a Europeanized version of the Japanese Isuzu Rodeo jeep. the first generation was almost completely identical to its Japanese ancestor. The changes affected only the engines. The transmission is made in Japan, the engine is made in Germany (there are also Italian VM diesel engines), and AW cars are assembled in England.

The first generation Frontera was produced with two body types: a short-shaped three-door (Frontera Sport with removable panels over the rear seat and Frontera Soft Top with a folding awning over it) and a long-wheelbase five-door (Estate).

The range of engines is represented by gasoline power units with a volume of 2.0 / 115 hp, 2.2 / 136 hp. and turbodiesel 2.5 / 115 hp
Brake mechanisms: front - disc, rear - drum.

In 1995, the AW car was modernized: in the rear suspension, the springs were replaced with springs, the lower sash of the rear door began to lean not down, but to the side. They began to mount a spare wheel on it, which used to lie in the luggage compartment.

The second generation Opel Frontera was released in 1998. The appearance of the SUV has not changed much. We note a new false radiator grille, elegant rear lights, a more "masculine" front bumper, stampings on the sidewalls of the body and the original triangular side window on the short-wheelbase Frontera Sport. It differs from the first one in smoother and more rounded lines, which made the look of the SUV complete and modern. Exterior speakers add highlighted wheel arches and side window configuration. Opel specialists have used the combination of taillights with interior ventilation deflectors - a technique that is gaining popularity in the world of jeep design fashion.

In the range of power units there was a replenishment. There were 2.2-liter direct injection diesel and gasoline engines and a 3.2-liter gasoline V6. The most important novelty is an electronic system that allows you to turn on and off the all-wheel drive by pressing a button when the AW car is moving at speeds up to 100 km / h. For an additional fee on an AW car with any engine, you can now order an AW tomatic 4-band transmission.

Compared to its predecessor, the second-generation Frontera features improved handling both on and off-road. For example, the front and rear tracks have become 60 mm wider, a five-link rear suspension has appeared, and the length of the short version has increased by 130 mm. Brakes are all disc.

Thanks to the updated power units, improved aerodynamics and additional sound insulation, the noise level in the cabin has been significantly reduced.

Safety is provided by two front full-size airbags and seat belt pretensioners. The rear seats have height-adjustable headrests. As an option, you can order a central rear head restraint for the five-door version of the AW car.

The luggage compartment of an impressive size is 518 liters. If you fold the rear seats, the trunk capacity will increase to 1790 liters. Opens in two stages. First you need to raise the upper glass part, then take aside the hinged lower part of the door with a spare wheel.

The instrument panel and other surroundings have undergone major changes. The display of the CARIN navigation system, which combines all kinds of functions - from a trip computer to a telephone directory. Since 1999 Frontera has been equipped with ABS.

The lineup was replenished with modern versions of RS and Limited. Since the 2001 model year, the Opel Frontera Sport Olympus has been available. The release of this model is dedicated to the 2000 Olympics.

In 2003, the production of the AW car Opel Frontera was discontinued. This is due to the fact that the AW car is outdated and is not in great demand among buyers.

In 2006, Opel plans to introduce a completely new SUV called the Frontera. The new generation will have nothing in common with the old one, except for the name. The prototype of the SUV will be the Chevrolet S3X concept car on the Teta platform.

Days of the Border Guard

Since its debut in Geneva in 1991, General Motors' SUVs, the Opel Frontera and its Japanese counterpart, the Isuzu Rodeo, have gained a reputation for being reliable and rugged. This is evidenced by the fact that they are still in production today. Of course, it would be naive to think that cars have not been engaged in all this time. There was also a restyling, the interior was modernized, the suspension design was improved, new options for standard equipment and additional equipment appeared. Before us - Opel Frontera 1998 model year.

The car is produced with two body types - a short-wheelbase three-door (Frontera Sport with removable panels over the rear seat and Frontera Soft Top with a folding awning above it) and a long-wheelbase five-door (Estate, in Russian - station wagon). The choice of engines - gasoline engines with volumes of 2 and 2.2 liters, as well as a 2.5 liter turbodiesel.

The word Frontera is Spanish and means "border". The name for the SUV is quite decent: tough guys are immediately seen - the border patrol, a dashing chase, of course, with the participation of the corresponding cars ... Romance. So during those few days when we had a five-door Opel Frontera 2.2i at our disposal, we had the opportunity to feel a little like border guards.

There is no particular need to describe the appearance of the Opel Frontera. It is well known from earlier versions - these cars can be found on the roads of Moscow every day. A strict and functional design with a touch of timelessness immediately sets you in a serious mood. Powerful tires 255 / 65R16 inspire confidence in the off-road qualities of the AW car, and on our roads with the so-called hard surface, you can feel calm.

Of the external attributes of the SUV, a "kenguryatnik" is immediately noticeable, as well as thresholds-steps, which simultaneously perform the function of protecting the lower part of the sidewalls of the body. Placing a full-size spare tire on the back door is in the best traditions of AW off-road vehicles.

We check the interior for "ease of use." Let's start with the doors. Sitting in the driver's seat was not difficult, and you can equally well use two ways to "enter" the car - both with the help of the footrest and without it. The front seats are made in the style of classic sports (not racing) Recaro seats with advanced lateral support. The pillow with side "rollers" turned out to be surprisingly soft, and only at the moment of landing, having bent under the influence of weight, did it acquire the necessary hardness and elasticity. The seat has two ranges of adjustment - in length and angle of inclination of the back. For discerning drivers, the seat height can be adjusted. This is done using the handle located at the base of the pillow. On "our" Frontera, this option was not, which, however, did not prevent us from getting quite comfortable.

The steering column can be infinitely adjustable in tilt angle. The steering wheel rim is sheathed in leather, a compact airbag is mounted in the hub, which does not spoil the appearance of the steering wheel and does not interfere with the view of the instrument cluster. Their placement on the panel is unusual - the tachometer is located to the left of the speedometer. On the right - the usual "group of comrades": a voltmeter, a thermometer, fuel gauges and oil pressure gauges.

The torpedo of a calm and concise form fits perfectly into the stylistic concept of the exterior of the body - nothing more. The controls are well arranged, everything is at hand. I liked the location of the clock with a digital display. They are located to the right of the instrument cluster next to the rear window heating and alarm buttons - both in plain sight and do not distract from control. To the left of the combination are the outdoor lighting switch and the front and rear foglight switches.

On the center console there is a "proprietary" radio and air conditioning controls, typically Japanese and, I must say, rather archaic - the same ones were found on Japanese AW cars of the early 80s.

Farther. On the tunnel there are two levers with comfortable handles, united by a common soft casing. The left one is the gearbox lever, it is located a little further from the driver than usual, but this is fully compensated by its length and the magnitude of the moves. The mechanism works extremely well.

Of the items that make life easier behind the wheel, one can note power mirrors, heated seats and power windows controlled by buttons on the tunnel lining. For the front seat passenger, a "personal protective equipment" is provided - an airbag built into the dashboard.

The level of the rear seats is slightly higher than the front, but this does not make them difficult to access. Enough space for legs. The space above the head, of course, is less than in front, but it is quite enough. And this despite the ledge in the ceiling, which hides a niche for the sliding sunroof.

What about behind? On the fifth door to the right of the spare tire is a handle with a button. We press the button - the upper, glass, half of the door opens slightly. It turns out that the back door has been redone - now it consists of two parts. The glass half is folded up manually and held in the raised position by gas springs. This releases the lower metal part, which opens to the left. As a result of these manipulations, an impressive opening is formed. Loading and unloading through it occur without problems. This has been tested in practice - during the transportation of tiles and sanitary ware.

We are satisfied with the salon. This is a well-organized space for those who are not chasing frills and newfangled bells and whistles. Simple and strict, but everything you need is available. The quality of workmanship and assembly of interior parts is very high.

Starting the engine, idling for a short time, and - on the road. The gas pedal is light, allows you to smoothly control the engine speed. I liked the operation of the clutch pedal with a good ratio of the amount of travel and the applied force, as well as its sensitivity, which is not out of place when driving on a slippery road or, if necessary, smoothly, without slipping, move off.

Some inconvenience creates too little distance between the clutch pedal and the side wall of the cabin - the left foot has nowhere to go. In our case, the situation is also aggravated by winter boots of the 47th size, in which the driver is shod. Due to this arrangement of the pedal, many will certainly "forget" to remove their foot from it, which will inevitably lead to rapid clutch wear.

Visibility is ok. A higher landing position and a sloping hood, compared to a conventional AW car, make it possible to see the road at a close distance from the car, and the A-pillars of the roof do not cover what is happening on the sides, which is especially important in corners. Surprisingly quickly appeared sense of dimensions made it possible to move confidently in the cramped road conditions of the city, and later, when driving over rough terrain, to feel the location relative to the obstacles of literally every wheel.

But everything is in order. First - asphalt. We switch the transfer case to position 2H (increased range of gears, the front axle is disabled). The car behaves like a wagon classic layout. Acceleration dynamics is very decent for a car with a curb weight of almost 1800 kg, the engine pulls smoothly from idle to higher speeds, and in the rapidly changing traffic conditions of the Moscow rush hour, we feel quite confident. The engine demonstrates an enviable elasticity, allowing you to move for a long time in higher gears without going "down". During the test, the car passed almost the entire Kutuzovsky Prospekt in fifth gear - this is in the daytime!

Suspension and tires work great on bumps and defects in city roads. I understand those who buy such cars for trips around the city. Chips, joints, cracks and potholes in the asphalt, pits and hatches - all this can be ignored, knowing that the suspension will cope with its tasks. Particularly rigid suspension can not be called. However, soft too. The characteristics of the shock absorbers are chosen very well, which does not allow the body to roll excessively in corners and sway strongly when moving through large bumps.

The handling of the AW car is good. The hydraulic booster does not create the impression of an extra transmission link between the driver and the steering mechanism, while on the move it provides a force proportional to the speed of movement and the degree of rotation of the wheels on the steering wheel. Frontera steering is close to neutral, we did not expect anything else from this balanced AW car.

The brakes work fine, the deceleration is confident, so the ABS (option) is sort of not needed here. In any case, on smooth and dry pavement.

As a regular urban AW car, we liked the Frontera. The car does not require the development of additional skills and addiction - sat down and drove off. But the AW car is declared as an SUV, and we still arrange an impromptu cross-country test for it. To do this, we go to Krylatskoye - to the "track" of the 4x4 club ...

Dry asphalt is replaced by an icy primer (ABS turned out to be very useful here), which leads us to a field covered with snow with a hard crust. Do not wonder. The specificity of the monthly magazine is such that the May issue begins to be prepared already in March, which this year did not please with warmth.

We try the snow "to the touch", connect the front axle and the lowered transmission range (4L) and carefully go deep into the virgin snow. Nothing happens - the AW car quite calmly, without strain, continues to move, although the snow sometimes reaches almost to the center of the wheel hubs. We add turns to the engine - nothing changes. Confident movement without the slightest hint of slippage. Emboldened, we return "up" (4H) - the same result ...

From the snowy field we move into a ravine, along the slopes of which a route is laid, replete with bulk hills, longitudinal and transverse slopes and large pits. Good visibility of the Frontera came in handy here - it allows you not to make mistakes in choosing the direction of movement. The car climbs over the "mountains" of the AW with extraordinary ease, confidently moving along an intricate trajectory and demonstrating excellent maneuverability and control accuracy.

When an AW car drives well, a subconscious desire arises to add gas. Which is what we do.

This leads to a series of small jumps. The car and passengers inside were not injured.

Of course, without liquid mud with deep ruts, the off-road part of the tests looks incomplete, but mud was not found due to the frost. With other tasks, Frontera copes easily. The car feels confident both on the highway and off-road. It is very good in daily urban use. The car fits perfectly into the traffic flow and demonstrates good efficiency - during the test, which took place mainly on Moscow streets, fuel consumption was about 10 l / 100 km. Good capacity and convenience of loading and unloading operations make Opel Frontera 2.2i a reliable assistant in out-of-town family events.

Sergey Ivanov
Source: Motor Magazine [No. 5/1998]
http://www.motor.ru/

Continuation of the holiday

Last spring, the so-called Opel Frontera SUV took part in the "Days of the Border Guard". the second series with a 2.2 liter engine ("Motor" e 5, 1998). In the same autumn, an updated model of this AW car appeared on the market, but it did not reach Russia right away.

It seemed to us (based on publications and photographs in the Western automotive press) that the car had only undergone a "cosmetic operation" again, and in addition to the 4-cylinder engines, it received a V-shaped 3.2 liter "six". I managed to get acquainted with the car "personally" only recently, when it appeared in Moscow. At first it seemed that the delay was temporary, caused by the reluctance of the Opel management to send the novelty to a clear commercial death in post-crisis Russia. As it turned out, the car is not at all intended for official deliveries to our country, where the Elabuga Chevrolet Blazer is called upon to represent the interests of General Motors Corporation (which owns Opel) in the compact SUV sector. However, contrary to the strategy of the AW corporation, the car nevertheless appeared in Russia. So, the new Opel Frontera 3.2 V6.

At first glance, the AW car has not changed much. Successful stylistic solutions of the previous Frontera are present in the new one. It was only when we looked closer that we began to notice the difference. The external dimensions are almost the same, but the body shapes and proportions have become more expressive, and the reduced height and roundness of the body parts have increased the feeling of dynamism and hidden power. The car has become more solid and harmonious.

The most noticeable change in appearance is the "twisted" base of the third roof pillar. In the previous generation, these pillars were very different in the three- and five-door bodies, in the three-door version of the Frontera Sport it was very wide, and the rear seat occupants complained about the feeling of "enclosed space". Now, both versions of the body are stylistically unified: in the three-door third pillar, an additional window has appeared, in the five-door - a rear window similar in shape to it. The air vents through which air is vented from the passenger compartment have moved from the rear roof pillars to the taillights, and the spare tire on the door has received a rigid detachable casing.

There are not very many changes under the updated shell. The body is still mounted on a spar frame. The front suspension has been preserved - wishbones and torsion bars as elastic elements. The rear suspension - a continuous beam on coil springs - received a second upper longitudinal link. The elongated fuel tank and muffler are located in a safe area within the base between the frame spars.

As already mentioned, the AW car is equipped with a new engine - a V6 with a volume of 3165 cm3. develops 205 hp. and a torque of 290 Nm. (A new 2.2-liter turbodiesel has also appeared in the range, which has the same power indicators as the previous 2.5-liter engine.) A new transmission is installed on the car. Now there is no need to stop to connect the front drive wheels, you just need to slow down to 100 km / h and press the button on the dashboard, after which the electronics will do their job. Previously, connecting the front axle was part of the functions of the transfer case lever, but now it only engages a downshift (the car still needs to be stopped to change from 4H to 4L).

Access to the interior became more convenient, although "our" AW car did not have footrests - the seats were installed lower. Even if you raise the driver's seat to failure, there will be no problems with landing. A large margin of longitudinal movement of the seat and a range of adjustment of the steering column in the angle of inclination make it possible to comfortably get behind the wheel. Feels like the pillow is longer. At its base is a handle with which you can tilt the back. The seat (you can’t call it soft) with fabric upholstery has good lateral support.

The location of the levers of the demultiplier and selector AW of the automatic transmission is quite convenient, the same can be said about the pedals.

The shape of the dashboard has not changed significantly, it has only become more "rounded" - like a body. The instrument cluster has been simplified - there are only a tachometer, speedometer and coolant temperature and fuel gauges. The control of the "wipers" is now carried out not by inconvenient buttons, but traditionally - by a steering column switch.

Some "castling" occurred in the central part of the dashboard. The air supply deflectors to the passenger compartment have moved up, under them are now the controls of the aeroclimatic unit (the latter with air conditioning). Even lower are the liquid crystal information display and the built-in "factory" radio.

The car taken for the AW test is distinguished by an impressive set of additional equipment: airbags, an alarm activated from the dashboard, power mirrors and power windows, heated front seats, cruise control ... There is also a hands-free system for a mobile phone.

We sit back. First impression: it became even more comfortable. But this only applies to the distance to the back of the front seat. The pillow is located a little low, the passengers have their knees up - it will be uncomfortable on a long trip.

The rear (and front) "riders" can adjust the height of the fastening of the upper point of the seat belts, they have at their disposal two folding cup holders of a rather flimsy build, retractable into the central armrest of the front seats.

The back door opens in parts: glass half - up, metal - sideways. The trunk is quite impressive. Having expanded both parts of the rear seat to increase the volume of the cargo compartment, we found the driver's tool - in a niche on the right seat cushion.

The engine starts easily and runs quietly, without vibrations, at idle. The car moves smoothly and rolls quite softly - almost like a passenger car. At low speed, the body responds to the unevenness of the coating with small shudders. Vertical swings on a gentle relief are not observed. The steering wheel with leather upholstery is well held in the hands, it allows you to feel confident enough about the car, but when you try to make sharp maneuvers, it reminds you that the Frontera is still an SUV.

We add "gas" - the car quickly and willingly reacts to this, demonstrating good acceleration dynamics. But you can also turn on the sport mode of the transmission.

It seems that the higher the speed, the more confident Frontera feels. The suspension no longer pays attention to minor irregularities, only the tone of rubber noise changes (the soundproofing of the cabin, by the way, is excellent). With an increase in speed, some vertical swaying "on the waves" of the coating appears (within quite reasonable limits) and the sharpness of the steering increases. (It should be noted that the Frontera has to taxi much less than many other SUVs.) A larger "relief" on the pavement in the form of wells or tram tracks in this case does not pose any particular danger. All this is well absorbed by the suspension, which allows you not to study the road closely - like car drivers. Cornering behavior is quite predictable, no surprises, body roll is not excessive.

The brakes on the pavement work quite well, the force on the pedals does not require prior muscle training, and the ABS is always ready to help. Pecks when braking within normal limits.

We leave the hard surface, move down to the ground. Without reducing speed, we connect the front wheels with a button on the dashboard - the corresponding indicator lights up on the instrument cluster. Frontera continues to move through rough terrain, calmly overcoming shallow loose sand and easily climbing steep inclines. The smoothness of the ride is excellent, the long-stroke suspension provides not only comfort for riders, but also constant contact of the wheels with the ground.

At the request of the photographer, I drive into a large puddle. The bottom of the "reservoir" is covered with liquid mud, but the AW car confidently crosses the water barrier, demonstrating excellent engine torque - not the slightest hint of slipping.

We checked the behavior of the Frontera when hanging the wheels. The car came out of this test with honor, and when we increased the speed in order to evaluate its "jumping ability", we were once again convinced of the good work of its "universal" suspension.

We have already noted the integrity of the appearance of the AW car. The same can be said about its internal content. Opel Frontera 3.2 V6 is like a debugged obedient organism, capable of fulfilling any reasonable order of its owner. In our opinion, the new Frontera could seriously compete with many serious all-wheel drive AW cars popular in our country, not to mention the "parquet" SUVs. When driving on hard surfaces, the Frontera is in no way inferior to them, and where it ends, it looks much more preferable.

The German Frontera is essentially a licensed copy of the Japanese Isuzu Rodeo. During the thirteen-year history of the Opel Frontera model, from 1991 to 2004, two generations of cars of various modifications with different types of bodies and types of engines were produced. The first generation of the car was called Frontera A, the second - Frontera B.

Motorists were first able to see the "Japanese German" in 1991 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Opel Frontera A

This was the first generation of the European version of the Japanese Rodeo. In principle, the car has not undergone any special changes, except that it was equipped with German engines. This modification was produced from 1991 to 1998. On the market, it was presented in two body types: a three-door Frontera Sport and Frontera Soft Top with a short base and a five-door extended Estate. In 1995, the model was restyled.

The appearance of the car is solid: neat lines of the body, restrainedly aggressive front end, functional steps, good ground clearance - a worthy representative of the "jeep".

The interior is represented by a salon that does not pretend to luxury. As a finish, a simple, but high-quality fabric and solid plastic. The seats, despite the fact that they have only a few levels of adjustment, are quite comfortable for both the driver and passengers. The driver can easily move the steering column to the position that suits him best. Dashboard without any frills.

The model is presented with both diesel and gasoline engines.

Among gasoline there are:

• four-valve 8-cylinder engines with a volume of 2.0 liters (2 options);
• four-valve 8-cylinder with a volume of 2.4 liters;
• four-valve V16 with a volume of 2.2 liters.

Both types of two-liter engines have a capacity of 115 hp. at a maximum speed of 5200 rpm. At the same time, the torque of the C20NE motor is 170 Nm at 2600 rpm, and the X20SE is 172 Nm at a maximum speed of 2800 rpm. The second engine variant mentioned was installed on the Frontera in 1995. Its characteristics were somewhat better: the car could already accelerate to 100 km / h at 15.6 seconds compared to 17.9 for the previous version with the C20NE engine; the maximum speed of the car increased by 1 km/h, from 157 km/h to 158 km/h.

Modification of 1991 with a 2.4-liter C24NE engine has a power of 125 hp. at a maximum speed of 5400 rpm and a torque of 195 NM at 2400-2600 rpm. This car can be accelerated to a maximum of 153 km / h, while it gains a “hundred” in 18.6 seconds.

In 1995, motorists were offered a 136-horsepower V16 engine with a volume of 2.2 liters. It is capable of delivering maximum power at 5200 rpm, torque is 202 Nm at 2600 rpm. This Frontera can already be accelerated to 161 km / h, and it reaches the mark of 100 km / h on the speedometer somewhat faster than the previously mentioned gasoline modifications - in 13.6 seconds.

Initially, only one version of the Frontera A diesel engine entered the market: a 2.3-liter 23DTR with a capacity of 100 hp. The maximum possible speed of the car is 147 km / h, acceleration to 100 km / h takes 19.3 seconds.

In 1995, two more variants of diesel units with a volume of 2.5 liters and 2.8 liters appeared. The first of them has a power of 115 hp, and the second - 113 hp. at the same maximum speed of 3600 rpm. Both diesel engines are capable of accelerating the car to “hundreds” in 16.8 seconds, while their maximum speed is almost the same: 150 km / h for the 2.5 TDS and 149 km / h for the 2.8 liter engine.

The braking system of the first generation Frontera is represented by a disc mechanism on the front wheels and drum brakes at the rear.

The restyling of this model in 1995, in principle, did not affect much: the spare wheel “migrated” from the trunk to the lower part of the rear door, the engines became somewhat more powerful, the springs on the rear suspension were replaced with springs, and there were also subtle castling in the car.

This is not to say that this car will win the heart of any fan of off-road cars, but in general, according to experienced owners, this is a good “workhorse” for tasks of medium complexity.

Opel Frontera B

The second generation Frontera appeared before the eyes of motorists in 1998. The appearance of the car has become more attractive: smoother body lines, more pronounced wheel arches and a slightly modified shape of the side windows. Although in general the exterior has not undergone major changes. The internal filling of the machine has become more advanced.

There was a button responsible for turning on / off all-wheel drive at speeds up to 100 km / h. In addition to the manual transmission, a 4-speed automatic transmission has become available, although not in the basic configuration. The brake system is represented by a disc mechanism, both on the front and rear wheels. The length of the short-base modification of the car has slightly increased. In general, the developers paid attention to ensuring that this "workhorse" received better handling characteristics, road stability and became more comfortable for its owners.

The noise in the cabin has been noticeably reduced due to the improvement of the aerodynamics system and the soundproofing system. Separately, they took care of the rear seat passengers: for their convenience, it was equipped with adjustable headrests.

I was pleasantly pleased with the luggage compartment with a volume of 518 liters (with the rear sofa folded down - 1790 liters). This trunk is more than enough for family trips with everything you need over long distances. Yes, and for the transport of not very dimensional cargo, it is quite suitable.

In 1999, cars began to be equipped with an ABS system. In 2001, a slight restyling of the appearance of the second generation Frontera was carried out: a new design of disks, a radiator grille and nice transparent headlights.

In the same 2001, a car modification dedicated to the 2000 Olympics, the Opel Frontera Sport Olympus, was released.

Frontera B was present on the market with six engine options: three petrol and three diesel.

Four-cylinder gasoline engines with a volume of 2.2 liters, which replaced one another in 2000, had essentially the same technical characteristics as opel frontera: power of 136 hp. at a maximum speed of 5200 rpm, a torque of 202 Nm at 2500 rpm, a top speed of 161 km/h and acceleration to 100 km/h in 14 seconds. But the 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine was much more powerful. This 205-horsepower motor delivers maximum power at 5400 rpm, has a torque of 290 Nm at 3000 rpm and reaches a speed of 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds. At the same time, it can be accelerated to 192 km / h.

The range of diesel engines looks quite homogeneous. All engines are four-valve, sixteen-cylinder with a volume of 2.2 liters. As for power, there are two options - 115 hp. and 120 hp at the same 3800 rpm, as is the torque: 260 Nm and 280 Nm at 1900 rpm. The maximum speed indicators are not too different: 154 km / and 158 km / h with acceleration to “hundreds” of 13.9 and 14.5 seconds, respectively.

Opel Frontera: owner reviews

The owners say unequivocally: if you want to buy an Opel Frontera, do not hesitate. Cars perform well even in the secondary market, demonstrating reliability and maintainability. Of course, some components will need to be replaced upon purchase, but in general, the machine causes few complaints.

Video review Opel Frontera

Outcome

In general, the second generation of Frontera has become somewhat brighter, more comfortable, and most importantly more reliable and powerful, which is certainly confirmed by the numerous responses from the owners of this solid car.