Don Brindley, a legend in the Dublin PR business, once described the start of the Naas Road at Bluebell as ‘Motown’ as there were so many car companies based in that area of Dublin.
Now planning permission has been granted to turn that area of our capital city into a mixture of high-rise apartments, office blocks and hotels.
Of the biggest players in ‘Motown’ are the Gowan Group, who now handle the Irish distribution of Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars. Gowan House is also now home to the Opel brand and I think the Fiat group are shortly due to make the short journey to Gowan House from their old base at the corner of Walkinstown Avenue.
After a few lean years, Opel are, to use their own phrase ‘Reinventing Opel’ with several new models already launched and more on the way. Recent arrivals include the Corsa, Crossland, a small SUV/Crossover and the second generation of the Mokka SUV. It’s built on the Corsa platform.
Coming soon is a new version of the Grandland, with new versions of the Astra and Manta also rolling off the Opel assembly lines.
Last week I drove a petrol version of the new, improved Mokka; the car is also available in diesel and electric, the Mokka-e.
Eye-catching & stylish
The new Mokka is certainly eye-catching and very stylish. It now features Opel’s new Vizor front face and their new interior Pure Panel cockpit. My test model had a seven-inch touch-screen and I’m told ten-inch screens are also available. The controls on the dash are user-friendly.
My test car came in Jade White with a black roof and it was finished off with a lovely red trim. It looked smart. Seventeen-inch black alloys with a touch of red, added to the classy look.
The red on the exterior is replicated in the interior and those red lines make the dash very attractive. You also get a dash of red on the front seats and red stitching in the rear seats.
That touch of red is needed as the inside of roof is black and in my opinion the interior needed a touch of red to lift the décor.
Having seen pictures of the Mamba Green version of the Mokka, it certainly stands out from the crowd. But then some people just don’t like green-coloured cars.
I liked the high driving position and there is a raised crease on the bonnet which helps you judge your position on the road or the lane you are driving in.
There is room for five adults and while the boot is spacious there is no spare wheel provided. So if you are buying new make sure and haggle with your dealer for a spare wheel. They are so much better than a repair kit.
Prices start at €23,295 for a petrol and €25,095 for a diesel. My test automatic SRI 1.2-litre with a few extras, will cost you €28,795. Road tax is €210. As usual with Opel, three trimlines available, SC, SRI and Elite.
It’s was a bit like recent Renault cars I have driven in that there is keyless entry. There are also two extra USB points for back-seat passengers.
I liked the Mokka, the engine was frugal, the ride was very comfortable and I think the good times could be on the way back for Opel when they are producing fine cars like the Mokka.
