Opel Rocks-e (2021) in the first test: The 45 km / h lightning

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Is it fun to hum through the big city with the SUM?

Opel Rocks-e (2021) in the first test: The 45 km / h lightning-test

Was it uncomfortable in the beginning to be in the new Opel Rocks-e to curve through my adopted home of Frankfurt am Main? Yes – anything else would be a lie! This feeling of shame persisted for a long time and accompanied me throughout my test drive?

No! So how you manage to find the Sustainable Urban Mobility vehicle somehow cool on a test lap of just 15 kilometers is clarified in this test report.

First contact … and the nervousness increases

When I see the horde of a good 20 Mini-Opels parked on the banks of the Main for the first time, the sheer number of vehicles is new to me, but personally I already had a seat rehearsal a few weeks ago (click here for the corresponding article) the opportunity to reduce a certain fear of the 2.41 x 1.39 x 1.52 meter tiny. So I actually knew roughly what kind of "car" I was getting myself into when I agreed for the test drive.

The opposite opening driver's door of the Opel After I got in, it finally falls into the lock, the inside mirror attached to the windshield with a suction cup is adjusted, the plastic seat with its two thin cushions was adjusted to my height of just under 1.90 meters and I selected drive level "D" on the left. I was suddenly more nervous than, for example, during a test drive with a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo. Without fun.

However, this unusual nervousness does not stem from the fact that I might be overwhelmed by the up to 9 kW electric motor, but from the question of whether the traffic in Frankfurt will be nice to me if I am in the commuter capital of Germany with a maximum of 45 km / h through the stressful banking district. The second thought: I hope nobody will recognize me. Should i wear a mask? One that goes all over your face? In all honesty, I had thought about it. But then drive off without camouflage. With the self-confidence of a 15-year-old who leaves his swimming trunks on to shower after swimming lessons.

 

Looks, looks, looks everywhere …

And it happens as it has to: you get a lot of looks at the first set of traffic lights. Pedestrians crossing the street in front of me and people waiting across the street in full-fledged cars look through the windshield, I notice the pairs of eyes from the car that has come to a standstill on the left of me drilling through the side window with the folding function and a truck driver stares from the right side from above through the magnificent panoramic glass roof. I return the trucker's gaze and am immediately surprised … he actually symbolizes for me with a thumbs up that he somehow seems to like what he is seeing.

The nervousness is suddenly blown away after this unexpected reaction. I fully depress the accelerator and naturally leave the 7.5 ton truck on the right. The sprint to the vehicle class-related top speed takes around 10 seconds. The first 30 km / h felt like in the first third of this acceleration time. Lively. And I can actually imagine that this could not only be fun for 15-year-old novice drivers, but also for the other Rocks-e target groups. For example, employees working for couriers or care services.

Very direct and not very comfortable

The Citroen Ami is a bombastic masterpiece of insulation But neither from Russelsheim. The electric motor transmits its noises properly into the interior and if that is not enough power consumer acoustics for you, you can also switch on the single-stage ventilation with heating function, which sounds a bit like a hair dryer that is in a plastic bag with leaves blows. Does not matter. Simply connect the smartphone to the USB socket, pair it with the Bluetooth box you brought with you, and music or podcasts are in the foreground.

Opel Rocks-e (2021) in the first test: The 45 km / h lightning-2021

It is steered by means of rack and pinion steering and the chassis has independent wheel suspension with disc brakes at the front and a torsion beam axle with drum brakes at the rear. This setup makes the Rocks-e pretty straightforward. An Opel employee even speaks of a "go-kart feeling". Actually a claim, for example the Mini for the Cooper SE uses. But the Opel is more direct. And totally funny and agile in its own way. With an empty weight of only 471 kg, that was somehow to be expected. But also the lack of comfort.

And this agility is not inevitably lost if you load the 63-liter passenger footwell with luggage or fill the second seat, which has been moved to the rear, with another person. The Rocks-e becomes a bit sluggish on inclines, but even then I didn't really feel like an obstacle in city traffic.

Slow loading, low cost

According to the WLTP cycle, this could now go on for 75 kilometers. After the test route of around 15 kilometers mentioned at the beginning, only a good two thirds of the battery power (around 50 km) was available. But in the end I was almost always able to drive at full throttle, had a co-driver on board at times and the heating was actually running all the time. Fair. And with the adapter for wallboxes, which costs 333 euros, I could even have charged at a public charging station when I was out and about. However, only with a maximum of 1.8 kW. Then I'd rather refuel the 3.5 hours from 0 to 100 percent at home – with the on-board 3-meter cable.

More Opel, more tiny ones: Opel Rocks-e (2021) in the first test: The 45 km / h lightning-test Opel Mokka-e (2021) in the test: more appearance than reality?

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The running costs can be reduced again. TÜV? Do not need. Inspections? You can do this at an Opel dealer and these maintenance costs should also be low. An insurance? Depending on the provider, costs around 50 euros a year. Car tax? Nothing. And depending on the electricity tariff, the energy costs for 100 kilometers should level off at around 2 to 3 euros. Depending on the area of ​​application, the purchase price of at least 7,990 euros could amortize quickly. And let's be honest: A good cargo bike without weather protection, crumple zone and "Opel Vizor" can quickly cost 5,000 euros.

Conclusion: 7.5 / 10 points

If you want a roof over your head, four wheels and some storage space and only move around in an urban environment, the Opel Rocks-e can be a clever and small alternative to e-bikes, cargo bikes, e-scooters or public transport. For those who also want their own "car" and are between 15 and 18 years old, there is still no alternative to the SUM. However, you cannot expect high comfort, top workmanship and chic materials. But you stand out (mostly positively) in city traffic, in the equipment lines "TeKno" or "Klub" there are a few cool extras and the Rocks-e is always fun to drive.

Photo gallery: Opel Rocks-e (2021) in the test

Opel Rocks-e (2021) in the first test: The 45 km / h lightning-test

Opel Rocks-e TeKno

engine Electric motor

Gear type 1-speed power transmission

power 6 kW (rated continuous power) // 9 kW (maximum power)

Acceleration 0-100 km / h No (approx. 10 s to 45 km / h)

Top speed 45 km / h (according to the speedometer even 46 km / h)

battery 5.5 kWh

Electric range 75 km (WLTP)

Charging time 3.5 h (with 1.8 kW)

length 2.41 m

broad 1.39 m (without exterior mirrors)

height 1.52 m

Empty weight 471 kg (including battery)

Trunk volume 63 l

Number of seats 2

Base price 7,990 euros

Price of the test car 8,790 euros (in the "TeKno" equipment line)

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