While most SUV owners wouldn’t dare leave the pavement, the desire to look like they might has never been stronger. To keep up with the trend, Stellantis’ Opel division has unveiled the Frontera Gravel concept, a rugged-looking spin on its family-friendly SUV that hints at a more adventurous trim level down the line.

Developed at Opel’s Russelsheim design center, the one-off concept was created with input from the “enthusiast community” and assembled in collaboration with motorsport tuning specialists BlackFish and XS.

More: Stellantis Turns Its Cheapest SUV Into A Tree House With A View

The Frontera Gravel immediately sets itself apart with a lineup of off-road-inspired accessories: a Thule Canyon XT roof rack, additional LED lights on the hood and roof, a front-mounted winch, a side storage box, and even snow tracks attached to the D-pillars. It also rides on 16-inch Borbet CWE wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, helping it at least look the part, even if it never leaves the campsite parking lot.

The body is finished in a matte Desert Stone wrap, contrasted by a black hood and roof. Orange accents show up on the skid plates, mirror caps, roof rack, and badging, while custom stickers complete the package. Inside, the microfibre seats get matching orange detailing, and a black headliner adds to the rugged vibe.

Electric, Front-Wheel Drive, and… Soft-Road Capable?

Opel

Opel confirmed that the Frontera Gravel is based on the production Frontera Electric, which comes only with front-wheel drive. While not exactly off-road royalty, Opel insists the concept can handle “soft-roading adventures” thanks to its low center of gravity and healthy torque output.

The most powerful version of the Frontera Electric packs a single 154 hp (156 PS / 115 kW) motor and a 54 kWh battery, delivering a range of up to 400 km (249 miles). It’s not exactly overland-ready, but it should be enough for a spirited weekend getaway, assuming your idea of rugged terrain includes gravel trails and not much else.

All-Wheel Drive Remains Off the Table

Unfortunately, Opel doesn’t seem to be interested in an AWD Frontera, something that could happen with the addition of an electrified rear axle to the mild-hybrid version. This solution has already been applied to the Jeep Avenger 4Xe and the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Q4, and will soon find its way into the upcoming Fiat Grande Panda 4×4.

More: Stellantis Turns Small SUV Into An Electric Rally Weapon

The Frontera Gravel will make its public debut on May 30 at the XS Carnight event in Wörthersee, Austria. Although it’s officially a concept, a production version seems like a real possibility. Opel could use it to compete with similarly rugged trims like the upcoming Dakar-inspired Dacia Duster variant.

Rebecca Reinermann, Opel and Vauxhall’s Vice President of Marketing, stated: “The new Opel Frontera is already standout. It is rugged, practical, and perfect for families and everyday adventures. But with the Frontera GRAVEL show car, we’ve pushed the limits, imagining a tougher, more daring, trailblazing version. This concept is built to fire up our fanbase and test the demand for a bolder, more rugged Frontera in the future. It’s all about freedom, adventure, excitement and pushing boundaries.”

The all-electric DeLorean Alpha5 has been a long time in the making, and it’s finally getting closer to production. However, if you’re looking to pre-order one, you’ll have to jump through a few hoops, and specifically, purchasing an NFT to secure an allocation.

It’s hard not to question the logic of turning NFTs into the key to securing an electric car, especially since the company hasn’t even delivered a single vehicle yet or shown the car in its final production form, but here we are.

Also: DeLorean Alpha5 EV Makes Its Public Debut At Pebble Beach

It’s important to note that the Alpha5 is built by a company known as DeLorean Motor Company, which, confusingly, has absolutely no connection to the original company that built the DMC-12. Indeed, it grew out of a DeLorean parts and service business. So, while the name might bring up nostalgic memories of the ’80s and time travel, the company itself doesn’t have a history of manufacturing cars.

Nevertheless, the company has established an odd reservation system for the Alpha5, which will be capped at just 4,000 units. DeLorean has launched an online marketplace, where customers will need to pay $2,500 to secure a ‘Build Slot NFT,’ which will be assigned to a random build slot number. But the process is a little more complex than that.

First, you have to set up a digital Slush Wallet, then purchase the NFT using DMC or USDC, which are two cryptocurrencies based on the Sui blockchain. Once that’s done, you can secure your Alpha5, or if you change your mind before the car is even built, you can try to resell the NFT on DeLorean’s platform. As of now, only six Build Slot NFTs have been purchased, so good luck getting in early.

More: DeLorean Alpha5 Is A Low-Slung Electric GT With Gullwing Doors

As for the actual car? Well, it seems to be a work in progress. Final pricing details for the new DeLorean have yet to be announced, and the specifications have not been finalized either. When first presented as a prototype three years ago, DeLorean said the Alpha5 would feature two electric motors, allowing it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.99 seconds. DeLorean had also promised 300 miles (483 km) of driving range and a 100 kWh battery pack.

H/T to Carbuzz

Fiat is stepping up its game with two new models set to launch within the next year, aiming to freshen up its lineup with larger, more practical vehicles built on Stellantis’ cost-efficient architecture. These additions are designed to fill a gap in Fiat’s range while leaning into proven nameplates and concepts. The first of the two, currently referred to simply as the Fastback, is expected to debut before the end of 2024.

Read: Fiat Presents Five Retro Concepts Heading To Production

Instead of starting from scratch, the new Fastback will draw from familiar sources. It’s reportedly being developed as a mashup of the now-defunct Tipo, the existing Fastback sold in Brazil, and the Egea from Turkey. That blend should result in a practical compact crossover with broad appeal. Powertrain options haven’t been confirmed yet, but early indications point to a mix of internal combustion engines, hybrids, and likely a fully electric version as well.

GigaPanda: Fiat’s Bigger Bet

However, it’s probably Fiat’s second new SUV that will really turn heads. Currently known as the GigaPanda, it will be quite a bit bigger than the new Grande Panda. It will serve as a sister model to the new Citroen C3 Aircross and be offered in both five- and seven-seat guises.

A concept car previewed by Fiat in early 2024 provided us with a look at the new model. Painted in a bright shade of purple, that concept had a retro-themed exterior that includes large pixel LED lights, not dissimilar to those that Hyundai has been using for some of its EVs. Speaking with Auto Express, Fiat head of design François Leboine noted that some changes will be made for the production model.

“I cannot say we’ll do it [exactly] like this,” he said of the concept. But we’ve worked on this vehicle family and they are ready. The [Grande] Panda [concept] was a bit exaggerated, but all the cues were there. That’s more or less what will happen [with GigaPanda].”

Familiar Tech, Flexible Powertrains

Like the new Fiat Fastback, the GigaPanda will be offered with a selection of different powertrains. These could include the same 44 kWh and 54 kWh battery packs as available on the Citroen C3 Aircross, as well as Fiat’s 1.2-liter mild-hybrid system. More traditional petrol engines are also likely, as are potential ethanol options for markets like Brazil.

Whether either model will dramatically shake up Fiat’s position in the global market remains to be seen, but at the very least, they promise to bring some much-needed variety to a lineup that’s been running a little thin the past few years.

The world of small, rugged crossovers is about to get a little more interesting. Fiat is getting ready to give the Grande Panda lineup a new addition, one that gives a nod to the classic Panda 4×4. The automaker unveiled a concept version of this off-road-ready urban crossover, equipped with an electrified rear axle that brings AWD capability to the table.

More: Next-Gen Fiat Panda Coming In 2030, Will Be Sold Alongside Grande Panda

Named the Fiat Grande Panda 4×4 Manifesto, this concept made its debut during the media drive of the Grande Panda Hybrid in Italy. According to Fiat, the vehicle is “the fullest expression of an idea that continues to evolve,” calling it “the foundation of an exciting journey.” This echoes earlier remarks from Fiat CEO Olivier Francois, who confirmed that a 4×4 version of the Grande Panda is currently in development.

Retro Design and Tough Features

The Manifesto stands tall with a few key changes compared to the high-spec trims of the standard Grande Panda. Notable updates include additional plastic cladding along the body, a roof rack equipped with a spare tire, and pixel-style LEDs integrated into both the grille and roof. While Fiat has hinted at more accessories for the production version, these additions already give the concept a proper rugged makeover.

Fiat opted for a unique Bordeaux paint job as a subtle tribute to the original Panda 4×4, which first rolled out in 1983. The exterior also features beige accents, along with retro-inspired 16-inch steel wheels. The same wheel design can be found on the entry-level and RED trims of the Grande Panda, though the finishes differ. For this concept, however, the wheels are wrapped in beefy all-terrain tires, a fitting choice for an off-road-ready vehicle.

Electrified Powertrain for AWD Capability

Beneath its tough exterior, the Manifesto’s pièce de résistance is its “electrified innovative rear axle,” a feature that grants it AWD capabilities. This setup is reminiscent of the 28 hp (21 kW / 29 PS) rear electric motor found on the mild-hybrid Jeep Avenger 4xe and Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Q4, suggesting Fiat is tapping into a familiar powertrain architecture.

More: Fiat’s 500 Hybrid Lets You Shift Your Own Gears

Fiat hasn’t yet confirmed whether the electrified rear axle of the concept is paired to the mild-hybrid 1.2-liter engine or whether the front axle is also electrically driven. However, it’s possible that the AWD setup could be compatible with both powertrain options.

While no official launch date has been announced, a production version of the Grande Panda 4×4 could arrive in European dealerships sometime in 2026.

Fiat

It’s not every day a Stellantis design chief gives your senior thesis a shoutout on social media, but that’s exactly what happened to John Carioti. While working on his senior project at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Carioti created a stunning Dodge muscle car that caught the eye of none other than Ralph Gilles, Stellantis’ Chief Design Officer.

Gilles, who oversees the styling for brands like Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, and Maserati, isn’t exactly a rookie when it comes to spotting standout concepts. The Stellantis exec shared Carioti’s work on Instagram, captioning the post “Once again @ccs_detroit Seniors are Fire! ##.” It’s the kind of exposure that most young designers can only dream of, and it’s safe to assume it can do wonders for Carioti’s career.

More: This Is How America’s Teens Imagine Chrysler’s Future

The [DODGE] project, which was part of an exhibition for the end of the academic year, looks like a worthy competitor to the Ford Mustang GTD,thanks to its oversized aero enhancements. It takes design cues from the Charger Daytona but features a smaller footprint, a fastback tail, and more aggressive proportions.

The front end is a showstopper. A massive chin spoiler leads the way, complemented by full-width LED headlights that flank a narrow pass-through grille. Air is directed through the grille and into a hollow vent on the hood. Given the Fratzog logos, it’s obviously designed for a fully electric powertrain. But hey, if your imagination drifts toward a supercharged Hemi V8 instead, no one’s going to judge you for it.

John Carioti / Instagram

The profile is just as striking, with muscular fenders, sharp creases on the doors, and large alloy wheels. At the back, the design doesn’t disappoint. The LED bar under the active rear spoiler adds an extra layer of visual drama, and the rear deck does away with the windscreen, following the same trend popularized by brands like Polestar and Avatr. Carioti has also presented a version with a fixed rear wing, which perfectly complements the rear diffuser.

More: Forget The C9, This Corvette Concept Reclaims Retro Glory

While Dodge is struggling to sell the electric Charger Daytona and is leaning heavily on the upcoming ICE-powered Charger SixPack, Carioti’s design offers a glimpse into what the future of muscle cars could look like. Sure, the public might not be fully ready for electric muscle cars just yet, but that’s no reason to disregard his vision.

As with most senior thesis projects, the [DODGE] is purely a design exercise with no plans for production. However, it’s a concept that could easily be adapted to house a Hemi V8, tapping into the more traditional, hardcore muscle car fanbase.

Carioti expressed his gratitude to Gilles for the shoutout, and we sincerely hope this marks the beginning of a successful career. With talent like his, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him helping to shape the future of muscle cars (well, yes, and SUVs, it goes with the territory these days…) at a Stellantis design studio.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @ralphgilles

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Carioti (@john.carioti)

Renault’s retro 4 E-Tech crossover has only just hit the streets of Europe, and already the company is teasing us about a major upgrade. The 4 Savane is a rugged, off-road-themed concept that adds an extra motor to the EV’s rear axle, giving the 4 all-wheel drive for the first time.

Borrowing a name from one of the original R4s, the Savane gets a 15 mm (0.6 inches) body lift, and bespoke 18-inch wheels with Goodyear UltraGrip performance tires that increase the track width by 20 mm (0.79 inches) front and rear.

Related: The New Renault 4 E-Tech Makes For A Chic Beach Buggy

Its Jade Green paint is new to the R4 and topped by a printed fabric roof, while the stock bumper overriders are replaced by new 3D-printed parts with shock-absorbing properties. The interior also gets an outdoorsy theme courtesy of seats finished in Deep Brown and featuring houndstooth backrests and bolsters.

We hope you like brown because there’s more mud coloring on the dashboard, but the Savane’s real appeal is that it might also be able to handle some mud on its tires with an extra electric motor boosting traction.

The production 4 E-Tech rides on the same AmpR Small architecture as the award-winning Renault 5 E-Tech and its Alpine A290 brother, and all of those production cars are strictly single-motor, front-wheel drive affairs – the $180k, RWD  Renault 5 Turbo 3E rides on a totally different platform.

Single-motor Fours get a choice of 118 hp (120 PS / 88 kW) and 148 hp (150 PS / 110 kW) power units, so adding a second motor to the rear could theoretically push power close to 300 hp (304 PS / 224 kW), which is not far off 10 times as much power as the original Renault 4 had back in 1961. That wouldn’t just be the basis for a rugged Savane production car, but could enable Renault to get into the hot crossover market with an AWD Alpine spinoff.

Renault hasn’t confirmed the Savane, or a bi-motor 4 for production, saying only that it “demonstrates the potential of the AmpR Small platform to create a B-segment electric vehicle with four-wheel drive,” but it tends not to make concepts that don’t have real production intent. What we don’t yet know is whether the Renault 5, running on a shorter version of AmpR Small, could also accommodate a rear motor.

Images: Renault

For the last five years Skoda’s “Icons Get A Makeover” series has been a great way for the brand’s designers to let their imaginations run a little bit wild, and the latest two-wheeled concept is about as far removed from a sensible family SUV as you can get.

The story of Skoda-branded cars goes back to the 1920s, but the company’s roots go back further still, to the final years of the 19th century when Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement began building bicycles, and then motorcycles, starting with the 1899 Slavia B.

Related: Skoda Recreates Czechoslovakia’s Favorite Transporter For The 21st Century

And it’s the Slavia B that’s the icon in line for the makeover treatment this month. Skoda hasn’t built a motorcycle for over a hundred years but the company’s French designer Romain Bucaille has imagined what a modern bike would look like if it followed the rules of Skoda’s latest Modern Solid design language.

“I wanted to do something unique and go back to the brand’s roots,” said Bucaille, who studied mechanical engineering before switching to design. “I work on cars every day, and since I also love motorcycles, creating one was really a refreshing change.”

At first glance it doesn’t look like the old and new bikes have much in common at all. Bucaille opted for a sporty cafe racer look for his creation with low bars and a seat that floats above the rear wheel. And unlike the original Slavia B, which got a 240 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that pumped out a whopping 1.7 hp (1.75 PS) for a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h), the modern bike would be electricn and definitely much faster.

Nevertheless, Bucaille retained the split-frame design whose front section is V-shaped referencing the háček, the diacritical mark atop the Czech letter Š in Skoda’s official spelling of its name, and a squiggle that’s become a grille motif and the v before RS in its performance cars. The designer also fitted a tool bag inside the frame (something essential in the pioneering days of motorcycles when maintenance might be required en-route) and finished it in the same leather as the seat.

We love the look of this retro-futuristic Slavia B but sadly, like the other icons reimagined by Skoda’s designers in this series, the concept will remain just that.

Images: Skoda

Redesigning an iconic model is an incredibly difficult task as there’s a lot of history, anticipation, and pressure. It’s a feeling that Mustang designers know all too well, but there are plenty of other models with high-stakes including the Bronco, Charger, and Mercedes G-Class.

We’d also throw Scout into that category, but their situation is drastically different. The last International Harvester Scout was built on October 21, 1980 and marked the end of an era as over 500,000 had been made over the course of the preceding two decades.

More: Meet The New Scout Terra Truck And Traveler SUV

While Scout had become a distant memory, Volkswagen revived the brand and, thankfully, decided to embrace its roots. As part of this effort, they wanted a retro-inspired design that acknowledged the past but was still modern.

That’s easier said than done and the company recently revealed “bringing back an icon doesn’t happen overnight.” They went on to say the Traveler and Terra started as a “blank sheet of paper” and the design team obsessed over every curve, angle, beltline, and radius.

Photos Scout

While that’s to be expected, the company also used modern production methods to ensure the models were perfect. As part of this effort, 3D-printed parts played a role in making sure the vehicles were the best they could be. As Scout explained, the end result is “Not rushed. Not generic. Not a box.”

You can add not coming anytime soon as production isn’t slated to begin until 2027. However, when they arrive, pricing could start as low as $50,000 with incentives.

Scout hasn’t revealed many specifications, but electric variants are slated to offer a range of up to 350 miles (563 km). There will also be an extended range variant with a gas-powered generator.

The Mini Countryman is typically thought of as a road-focused SUV, but thanks to off-road experts Delta4x4 and the Dakar-winning team X-Raid, it’s been reimagined into something far more extreme, yet still street-legal beast. This radical conversion, currently presented as a digital concept, could potentially be brought to life in limited numbers if enough interest is generated.

More: BMW’s M2 Dakar Concept Is So Good It Hurts That It’s Just An April Fool’s Joke

The two companies recently showed a Mini Countryman X-Raid tuning package, which included a raft of upgrades like new wheels, tires, a suspension lift, and some eye-catching orange decals. These tweaks were only a warm-up, though, and they soon dove into creating a version inspired by X-Raid’s rally-winning desert warriors.

From April Fool’s Joke to Real Project

According to X-Raid, the idea started as an April Fool’s joke, but it quickly evolved into a real project. The highlight of the exterior are the front and rear fender extensions that add 200 mm (7.9 inches) of width to the compact SUV. A bull bar protects the front bumper from minor collisions, while extra LEDs on the grille and roof will turn night into day.

The roof rack provides extra space for overlanding equipment such as snow tracks, a full-size spare wheel, and a couple of tanks. Furthermore, Delta4x4 has added Defender-style storage compartments on the rear side windows, and decorative belts on the hood and tailgate. As a finishing touch, the body is wrapped in a matte gray shade with orange graphics.

Delta4x4 / Facebook

Underneath the Mini Countryman, things are looking even more serious. It now rolls on 18-inch Delta4x4 Hanma alloy wheels wrapped in heavy-duty all-terrain rubber by Loder. Combined with a rally-tuned suspension that adds an extra 50 mm (2 inches) of ground clearance, this SUV is ready for more than just the occasional gravel road.

More: Dacia Duster Soul Of Dakar Concept Could Inspire Future Special Edition Models

X-Raid hasn’t mentioned any performance upgrades, but judging by the rendering, the base model appears to be the fully electric Mini Countryman SE All4. This version comes with a dual-motor AWD setup that produces 308 hp (230 kW / 313 PS) and is powered by a 66.5 kWh battery, providing a range of 212 miles (341 km). That said, the modifications are likely compatible with any variant of the Countryman, including the hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter engine version.

A Limited-Edition Possibility

While the vehicle is still a concept, X-Raid and Delta4x4 have hinted at the possibility of “small-scale production” if customer demand is high enough. Hopefully, the renders will resonate with the more adventurous kind of Mini Countryman owners, bringing the Dakar-inspired build on the road. Despite its wild stance, the company has confirmed that this is a “street-legal package”.

Earlier reports also suggest that Mini itself is also working on a more rugged version of the Countryman, though details about that are still vague at best. For now, we’ll have to wait and see if this wild rendition becomes a reality.