Opel Mokka at the top of the shopping list for Australia

Five months have passed since German car maker Opel launched in Australia and the head of the local division, who is as hungry as ever for new models, has the Opel Mokka compact SUV at the top of his list to expand the line-up.

Opel has just launched the Mokka in Europe – a well packaged, well priced crossover that’s already notched up 80,000 sales - and Opel Australia managing director Bill Mott is justifiably keen on bringing it to our shores.

“The Opel Mokka is well on the way to becoming one of the best sellers in the compact SUV class in Europe, and for sure it’s a vehicle that’s at the top of our shopping list for Australia,” Mott said.

Asked why he thought the Mokka had been such a hit for Opel in Europe, Mott cited its "contemporary design, innovative space architecture, extensive list of features and technology, together with keen pricing”.

Prices for the Opel Mokka start from around 18,000 euros ($23,000), although Mott said it was too early to speculate on pricing given the local division was yet to lock in the model for Australia.

The 4.28 meter-long Barina-based Mokka can be specified with front-wheel drive or an adaptive all-wheel-drive system that automatically detects slippage and apportions torque to the correct wheels for maximum traction.

Powertrains include a 1.6-litre EcoFlex developing 86kW, a 1.4-litre turbo with 104kW and a 1.7-litre diesel with 97kW.