A newer version of the new-to-NZ electric Opel Mokka will arrive after June next year.

AN important Opel electric car just launched in New Zealand will receive a battery swap and name change here in the second half of next year.

Though change for the Mokka compact crossover in its pure battery-enabled format, which launched in August as in $69,990 (with $8625 Clean Car discount eligibility) SRi trim, is mainly technical, it could well be picked up from a glance, as the car loses the current ‘Mokka-e’ nomenclature for fulsome ‘Mokka Electric’ badging.

In its present NZ market state, the car has a 50kWh (45kWh useable) battery and a 100kW electric motor, which lend it a claimed range of 338km (from WLTP assessment) and – according to independent analysis - a realistic range of between 250-280km in the real world.

Mokka Electric has a battery with 54kWh capacity (51KWh of which is useable) and a 115kW electric motor which push its range to a claimed 406km. Torque from the new unit remains as before: 260Nm.

Energy consumption reduces to 15.2kWh per 100km. To assist with that there's a new standard-fit heat-pump heating system. As before, the battery's maximum DC charging speed is 100kW and a charge-up to 80 percent power takes around 30 minutes.

The 50kWh drivetrain is also used by the Corsa-e here, plus the Peugeot e-208 and e-2008 and there’s no indication, yet, if they will also update.

Opel NZ commercial manager Noah Robertson says Mokka’s revision was revealed to his operation personally by a high-up from Stellantis, into whose auspices the German make and almost a dozen other European and American brands all fall.

Billy Hayes is a senior vice president who bases in Tokyo and has responsibility for this market, the Pacific and India.

Stellantis products are divvied between two distributors here. Opel NZ is with the Armstrong Group, as are the Peugeot and Citroen brands, whose architectures are now used by Opel.

Opel chief executive, Florian Huettl, says the change from an ‘e’ suffix is to “underline that the Opel Mokka offers even more electric driving fun.

“It is an electric vehicle that is unparalleled in its segment. Ever since it was launched, our extraordinary compact SUV has impressed people with its bold and pure design, individual character and proven suitability for everyday use. And with a new electric drive and larger battery, we are now making the Mokka Electric even more powerful, even more efficient, and better. That is the Opel approach to well thought-out 'Greenovation'."

The electric Mokka’s revision is the second change to impact a NZ-market Opel since the make’s introduction began. Two weeks ago Opel announced the Astra hatchback, which will introduce here next year, is to avail as a purely electric model, alongside petrol versions that have already been earmarked for NZ. Robertson says hope is to add the Astra-e before the end of 2023.