What_Car_UK_-_August_2020

24 August 2020 whatcar.com

THETROUBLEWITHconceptcarsthatpreview

production models is that they usually lead to

potential buyers being disappointed; they’re

basically what the designer wanted to create

but wasn’t able to, due to all those pesky

regulations that real cars have to meet. But

every now and then, the original vision does

survive the transition from motor show stand

to road, and the new Vauxhall Mokka SUV is

one such example.

It was back in mid-2018 that Vauxhall rst

showed its GT X Experimental concept, which

we were told previewed the distinctive new

face of the brand. And while we were sceptical

at the time, given the aforementioned curse

and Vauxhall’s recent record of smart but

forgettable designs, what we saw then is

essentially what we’ve got.

Dubbed ‘Vizor’ and said to be inspired by

the eye slot of a crash helmet, the front grille

stretches the full width of the car, with the

headlights incorporated within it. Those who

remember the Pontiac Trans Am driven by

Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit might

be experiencing some déjà vu, and there’s a

link to current Vauxhalls in the scythe-shaped

daytime running lights. But overall, there’s

no denying that Vizor is a striking look that’s

instantly recognisable.

The rear of the GT X Experimental has also

inuenced the Mokka, with creases that

mirror the shape of the front grille, while the

concept’s contrasting bonnet colour, which

ran up into the roof, is also present and correct.

It’s only details such as the rearward-opening

back doors and cameras in place of door

mirrors that have been quietly binned.

Unusually for a new car, the Mokka is shorter

than its predecessor, the Mokka X, which

should help with parking. And yet passengers

are likely to have more room, because the

front and rear axles are now farther apart.

However, you rarely get something for nothing

in this world, and here the price is paid in boot

space; there’s slightly less than there was in the

old Mokka X (350 litres vs 356 litres), and some

rivals offer signicantly more, including the big-

selling Nissan Juke (422 litres) and our reigning

Car of the Year, the Ford Puma (456 litres).

As for the interior of the Mokka, this appears

at rst glance to have one enormous screen

that runs all the way from behind the steering

wheel to the centre of the dashboard, even

though in reality it’s two separate screens;

Vauxhall Mokka

SmallSUV is rebornwithconcept car looks, a high-tech interior and the

optionofa fullyelectricversion On sale Early 2021 Price from £20,000 (est)

FIRST LOOK

Steve Huntingford

[email protected]