GM underpinnings were originally planned, but they weren’t good enough.
The Mokka X is an Opel vehicle that can be found in most European countries, a Vauxhall in Britain, and a Buick Encore car in the United States. It has been around since 2012. With the 2016 facelift, the Mokka X was given the “X” designation. Now work is underway to make an encore (pun intentional). The underpinnings of Opel’s former owner General Motors were used to create the new model, but eventually the hardware was removed. Why?
“The Mokka successor would be an SUV built on General Motors architecture. It is heavy and doesn’t offer electrification. So I said “No, let’s stop this!” It’s heavy, it doesn’t fuel efficiently well and electrification isn’t there.
Michael Loscheller (Vauxhall boss), revealed the information while speaking to Carbuyer. Both Opel and Vauxhall now have access to PSA’s platforms, which means that the marques can use the platforms created by the French conglomerate. So expect the Mokka X successor will utilize the same architecture of the next-generation OpelCorsa and DS 3 Crossback as well as the new Peugeot 208.
Loscheller stated that the Mokka X would indeed switch to PSA underpinnings, and that one of the main reasons is electrification. The crossover’s development was temporarily halted to facilitate the transition. But now, it is moving forward with hardware from Peugeot & Citroen.
Carbuyer states that the new Mokka X will arrive sometime in 2020. It’s expected to have a wheelbase of 30 millimeters (1.18 in) more to allow for greater legroom and stretch the wheelbase. Its increased footprint means that the next generation of Mokka X will likely be positioned above the Peugeot 3008-based Crossland.
It is not clear if it will have an optional all-wheel drive, or a FWD configuration with PSA’s grip Control system for enhanced traction. The current Mokka X, as well as its American counterpart, are available with both front-wheel and all-wheel drive.
There’s a chance that the new Mokka X will ditch its combustion engine with the launch of an all electric Corsa supermini in 2020.