Can Opel make PH comeback with 2022 Grandland crossover?

It's been years since Opel actually had a presence in the country. Back when they were still under General Motors (GM), Opel sold several models in the Philippines which include the Astra, Vectra, Zafira, Omega, and even the Tigra. Sadly, the brand withdrew from the market and is now part of Stellantis, the auto group of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group.

But should Opel be planning a return, they could offer this particular model. Called the Opel Grandland, it serves as the company's compact crossover fighter and it recently received a facelift for the 2022 model year.

Featuring the brand's 'Vizor' front fascia design, the Grandland appears to borrow some styling cues from the Corsa hatchback, as well as the Mokka crossover. It gets a distinct set of LED matrix headlights, a gloss black front grille, and a sporty front bumper. Other notable exterior features present on the Grandland are the stylish alloy wheels, two-tone exterior paint, and wraparound LED taillights.

Inside the Grandland, Opel emphasized making a clean and ergonomic cabin. What's new, however, is the revised dashboard design which now features a dual monitor display. With it, the 2022 Grandland now has a digital instrument panel, along with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

There's also a redesigned center console which appears to be reminiscent of the Peugeot 3008/5008 crossover. It has the familiar gear selector, a multitude of buttons for setting the car's powertrain, and an electronic parking brake.

Opel has yet to reveal its powertrain details. However, it looks like it has a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Should it be the same 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that's paired to electric motors, the 2022 Grandland could make an impressive 296 PS and 450 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

For now, Opel has no plans of expanding its operations in Southeast Asia. But should they actually plan on making a comeback in the region, the Grandland and the smaller Crossland crossovers could be their ticket in staging a return.