It may not be at the forefront of motoring minds quite yet, but the Frankfurt Motor Show is traditionally one of the biggest draws on the European motor show calendar. The German concourse doesn’t open its doors to the public until September but such is the kudos of this showpiece event that it’s not unusual for manufacturers to set their respective stalls out months in advance. That’s precisely the kind of pre-emptive strike launched by Vauxhall this week with the unveiling of a newcomer to the mid-size SUV playground, the Grandland X.
As the third member of Vauxhall’s ‘X’ SUV clan, the all-new Grandland X slots in above the pint-sized Crossland X mini-crossover and the recently facelifted Mokka X compact SUV. As a fully-fledged mid-size soft-roader, Vauxhall is touting the latest and largest addition to its SUV range as a true five-seater with interior space to burn. Inside this explicitly roomier alternative to the Mokka X and Crossland X, you’ll find greater leg and head room plus a sizable 514 litres boot that expands to a maximum of 1,652 litres with the rear bench folded down.
Adaptive Cruise Control with pedestrian detection, Automatic Emergency Braking and Advanced Park Assist swell the ranks of the Grandland X’s safety and drive assist systems. The interior creature comforts list, though by no means munificent, is pretty much what you’d expect from an affordable and reliable SUV of this ilk. That means the brand-new Grandland X gets a heated steering wheel as standard plus heated front and rear seats and a kick-activated automatic tailgate. Meanwhile, smartphones can be charged wirelessly and handily paired with the car’s infotainment system.
In terms of power, Vauxhall hasn’t yet divulged what engines it will bring to the party. The Mokka X’s 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX diesel may well be carried over to its forthcoming bigger brother but, speculation aside, we do know that the front-wheel drive Grandland X will have five drive modes at its disposition. These will be capable of tweaking torque distribution and, in automatic guise, adjusting shift points and throttle response.
So, what about the design of the newest model to sport the griffin emblem? Although the Grandland X does take elements from its two crossover siblings, particularly in borrowing the chrome-winged front grille and tick shaped LED headlamps, the Frankfurt bound SUV does get a marginally more rugged look. Front and rear skid plates, the latter finished in silver and housing integrated twin tailpipes, give the sense that the Grandland X could hold its own off the beaten track. The headline visual detailing, however, has to be the addition of an optional two-tone paint finish, whose black roof contrasts the ample selection of body colours.
Hitting Frankfurt this autumn, you can expect more info on spec and that all-important powertrain line-up to trickle out from Vauxhall HQ in the coming months. Prospective customers should be able to get their hands on an all-new Grandland X in early 2018.
