Just what the world needed: another city car that thinks it’s an SUV…
SUVs are selling like hot cakes nowadays, and automakers are trying to cash in on that trend by offering both SUVs and SUV-flavored models.
The latest arrival in the SUV wannabe segment is the Opel Karl Rocks, which is nothing more than a jacked-up version of the city car that also features some plastic cladding and other SUV-themed styling bits.
Debuting at the Paris Motor Show later this month, the Karl Rocks features an 18-mm (0.7-in) increase in ride height and subsequently an elevated driving position that enables better visibility. Opel says the new model can also leave tarmac occasionally and that it negotiates "uneven surfaces better" than the regular Karl. Furthermore, the raised ground clearance facilitates ingress and egress.
Design tweaks include the functional silver roof rails, rugged-looking front and rear bumpers with integrated skid pads and fog lights, plastic moldings for the wheel arches, unique 15-inch bi-color alloy wheels, and silver trim for the sills and bumpers.
The interior is distinguished by the exclusive "Favo" fabric upholstery for the seats, front door sill plates, and a high gloss frame for the audio system interface. Opel offers the Radio R 4.0 IntelliLink system as an option, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Alternatively, the Navi 4.0 IntelliLink offers an integrated navigation system. Opel OnStar, the carmaker's personal connectivity and service assistant, is also available.
As expected, the Karl Rocks retains the practicality of the base car, accommodating five passengers, and offering standard 40/60 split-folding rear seats as well as up to 1,013 liters of cargo volume up to the roof. There's no mention of the engine, which most likely means the Karl Rocks features the same 1.0-liter three-cylinder petrol engine producing 75PS (74hp) as the regular Karl.
The Opel Karl Rocks will be available to order from the end of the year in Europe.