Affordable electric cars are beginning to multiply at Stellantis, notably with models like the Opel Frontera. But the group might already be laying the groundwork for a far more ambitious evolution of its compact SUV. A prototype spotted recently appears to be fitted with an 86 kWh battery, which could push the Frontera beyond 600 kilometers of range. Still, it’s hard to tell whether this is really a future version of the model.
An 86 kWh Battery for the Frontera?
The prototype recently seen keeps the Frontera’s body, but its technical specs look quite distant from the current production version. A visible label on the vehicle lists an 86 kWh battery. That capacity is notably large for a SUV in this segment, given that the Frontera Electric currently uses 44 and 54 kWh packs.
With that capacity, the SUV claims up to about 250 miles of range per the WLTP cycle. Assuming similar efficiency and moving to an 86 kWh pack, the theoretical range could exceed 370 miles. Such an evolution would make the Frontera far more versatile on long trips. With more than 370 miles of theoretical range, it could rival much more expensive models and, above all, markedly reduce the frequency of charging stops.
However, this battery would have a substantial impact on the vehicle’s positioning. The Frontera is currently pitched as an affordable option, with a starting price around 25,000 euros depending on market and trim. Jumping from 54 to 86 kWh would mechanically push up production costs, which would likely be reflected in the sale price, though it should remain more accessible than many competing SUVs.
A Prototype That Could Conceal a New Platform
Thus, caution is warranted before treating this 86 kWh battery as a future Frontera option. The prototype could actually serve Stellantis as a lab vehicle to develop a new electric architecture.
The group is notably working on the STLA One platform, a new technical base intended for vehicles in the B and C segments. It is designed to enable newer, more versatile electric models, with batteries capacity higher than those currently used on the Smart Car platform.
This latter platform currently underpins several affordable Stellantis models, including the Citroën C3 and C3 Aircross, the Fiat Grande Panda, and the Opel Frontera. In its current configuration, it accepts 30, 44, and 54 kWh packs.
An 86 kWh battery thus seems particularly ambitious for this economy-oriented architecture. It’s possible that Stellantis is simply using the Frontera’s body to test components for its future platform rather than gearing up for a production Frontera with that battery.
For now, there is no definitive proof that a Frontera equipped with an 86 kWh battery will reach showrooms. But the prototype makes clear that Stellantis is actively pursuing solutions capable of dramatically increasing the range of its upcoming electric models. The question now is whether this technology will directly benefit Opel’s affordable SUV or be reserved for higher-end models.
