By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
Two cars as different as ‘chalk and cheese’ are making an all-electric comeback in 2025.
The sometimes maligned 4X4 Vauxhall Frontera ran for 12 years and was based on the mid-sized Japanese-made Isuzu MU.
It first appeared in Europe in 1991 as an Opel and was billed as an ‘all-wheel drive recreational vehicle’.
Over time it was fitted with different two-litre plus engines used in other Vauxhall/Opel models. In the UK it was made in Vauxhall’s Luton plant.
Gradually, the Frontera faced stiff competition from a growing SUV market, which included Nissan and Ford, but Vauxhall-Opel still produced nearly 330,000 models.
Now bosses are ready to launch new electric and petrol-hybrid Frontera cars to replace its Crossland SUV range.
In France, electric customers are eagerly looking forward to snapping up a modern reboot of the classic Renault 5 hatchback.
The new retro-inspired ‘supermini’ aims to capitalise on the wonderful track record of the R5, which proved a French best-seller between 1972 and 1986 and clocked-up nine million sales worldwide.
Back in the day, the R5 range would also feature numerous ‘hot hatches’ such as the GT Turbo and achieve major motorsports success.
Looking to the future, Renault promise a new all-electric vehicle that’s compact, stylish and practical but still packs a punch!