Crossover "Opel Mokka", whose clearance did not live up to expectations

It seems that not only we in Russia, but also Americans, and even Europeans lost hope of maintaining roads in good condition. And how else can you explain the increasing number of crossovers with ever-deteriorating off-road functions? True, there is another significant reason - traffic jams and parking in the modern urban jungle. In order to leave the "stuck" stream through the curbs or park on the sidewalk, off-road properties are not needed, sufficient clearance is needed. And the victory of modern crossovers over city cars for sales is a victory of overpriced clearance over low fuel consumption.

Opel Mokka clearance

The company "Opel" has long resisted the crossover fashion: the Germans off-road, as historical experience shows, love to ride tanks. But the US-Korean lobby, which runs the company from the parent concern General Motors, won: the crossover appeared, and it is called the coffee name Mocha. His appearance was facilitated by the development and implementation of a “classmate” and a “brother” on the platform, another hatchback raised to a crossover height - the Chevrolet Trucks. In terms of the fact that the appearance of the car today is the main factor in sales, these “brothers” externally differ. But the "Opel Mokka", whose technical characteristics are very close to the characteristics of the Korean-American "brother", is called "Trucks, who visited a beauty salon." The smoothness of its lines gives a kinship with other cars of the Opel line.

Opel Mocha Characteristics

If you pay attention not to the aesthetic details of the new Opel crossover, but to the ability to solve urban off-road tasks, then the Opel Mokka, whose clearance is declared by the manufacturer in 190 mm, can quite cope with this. Here, however, a conflict of technical interests arises: with a high road clearance, high-speed aerodynamic qualities of the car decrease, which leads to poor handling and increased fuel consumption. To meet these requirements, the Opel Mokka car decided to partially sacrifice the clearance; an aerodynamic rubber “lip” was installed on the front bumper . Opel engineers say that it is soft and does not lose elasticity even in the cold.

Everything would be fine, but, like other cars, the Opel Mokka's clearance really depends on the width of the wheelbase and on the geometry of the body. The increase in the front overhang due to the “lips” on the bumper noticeably reduces the geometric passability of the car, especially in the case of narrow but deep obstacles. The other side of the coin is moving over towering obstacles so as not to damage vital systems, especially those under the bottom between the wheel axles. Here, the development engineers of the "Opel Mokka" clearance reinforced with protective iron arches that protect the bottom of the gas tank; and the car’s engine is guarded by a regular “protection”. All these measures in total determine the angle of entry of the model, which is 13 degrees, which is extremely small compared to competitors in this area (for example, the Volkswagen Tiguan has 28 degrees).

Opel Mokka Specifications

Summing up the excessively hyped theme of clearance at the Opel Mokka, whose characteristics with regard to handling and fuel consumption are quite impressive, I want to say the following: if you are going to jump on curbs - be careful, if you are going to drive sparingly and with a breeze - buy Astra ... or Insignia "given the need to accommodate all relatives.


All Articles