The road ahead

Opel celebrates with the new car model its 125th anniversary of automobile manufacturing. The spacious Opel SUV represents a new generation of affordable electric mobility and is available in fully electric or electrified powertrain options. With its generous interior and fully digital Pure Panel cockpit, the Opel Frontera Electric and Frontera Hybrid offer a pleasantly high load capacity, making them comfortable, family-friendly, and practical everyday vehicles. 

Actress and TV presenter Collien Ulmen-Fernandes, who lives with her family in Mallorca, tested the Frontera on the island’s winding roads and shared her experiences with us in an interview. What were her first-ever impressions behind the wheel, and which songs are on repeat during her drives? 

Antonia Mittmann: Hi Collien! You’ve tested the new Opel Frontera – what was your first impression, and which detail or feature stood out to you the most? 

Collien Ulmen-Fernandes: The front view. It’s the face of the car. A car needs to have a friendly face, and the Frontera undoubtedly has that. 

You’re an actress, TV presenter, and mother of a daughter. From your perspective, what makes a good car that bridges the gap between family and work life? And how does the Opel Frontera fulfill that specifically? 

The car has a good size for parking slots while still offering sufficient trunk space. That’s really important to me. I always have a lot of stuff in the trunk: shopping bags for spontaneous trips to the store, jackets and sweaters in case I get cold (which happens quickly), heated insoles, ski underwear, and jogging pants so I can immediately change into something comfy after filming. 

The Opel Frontera stands for affordable electric mobility. How important is this topic to you? After trying it out yourself, what stereotype or misconception can you help dispel?

I have a charging station at home, so I don’t experience charging stress. But I know the other side of it – driving from one broken charging station to the next. I’d love to dispel that prejudice, but especially in Berlin, a lot still needs to change.

What role does driving play in your life? What are the major benefits for you? 

I always have a car available because it represents freedom and flexibility for me. Often, I’m the only actress on set with a car. Once people find out, everyone suddenly becomes very nice to me: “Heeey, could you drive us to the supermarket this weekend?” 

How would you summarize your driving style in one sentence? 

People know me in Flensburg. 

What was your first car? 

My first car was a Porsche Cabriolet, and it really suffered under my driving style. 

Attending driving school often comes with quirky moments. Is there a situation you still remember today? 

I was cast in a film that required me to have a driver’s license. Constantin Film enrolled me in an intensive driving school with the message: “If you don’t pass, someone else will play your role.” The examiner knew this and repeatedly said during the driving test, “I did NOT see that!” 

Which songs are on your playlist while driving? Share some highlights with us!

Beatsteaks – Hello Joe, Babyshambles – Delivery, Kaiser Chiefs – Everyday I Love You Less and Less. 

Have you ever been on a road trip, and if so, what’s your best memory? 

Yes, with my dog, driving from Potsdam through Switzerland and France to Mallorca so he wouldn’t have to fly. Honestly, it was pretty exhausting. 

You have a free weekend and the Opel Frontera at your disposal: where do you go, and who do you take with you? 

I’d drive with my daughter along the route from Valldemossa to Soller. It’s the most beautiful stretch of road in the world.  

Interview by Antonia Mittmann
All images courtesy of Opel