Vauxhall's new Mokka will be the brand's first fully-electric SUV

The first generation of the Vauxhall Mokka X has been extremely successful for the brand. Making the most of the competitive small SUV market, it sold in droves until it was pulled in 2019. Now, Vauxhall has teased the new-generation car and, aside from dropping the 'X' from the name, the big news is that it has confirmed a fully-electric version.

We won't actually get to see the new Vauxhall Mokka in all its glory until later this year, but the Luton brand is already teasing some of the details for the new car. Luckily for us, that includes a Mokka EV alongside regular petrol variants. No hybrid versions are planned.

It's hardly surprising that the Mokka is getting the EV treatment alongside a design makeover. Vauxhall's B-segment SUV will be based on the PSA Group's CMP modular platform – the same underpinnings as all of PSA's small EVs thus far, including the Peugeot e-2008 small SUV. We can also assume with near-certainty that the electric powertrain will be the same.

This means a 50kWh battery which sends its power to a 134bhp, 192lb-ft motor driving the front wheels only. In the Peugeot e-2008 this setup delivers 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds, so add on half a second or so for the slightly larger and heavier Mokka. Obviously, there's no word on range yet, but with the e-2008 managing 206 miles on a charge, you can expect the Vauxhall to do similar.

Again, making the safe assumption of direct carry-over, the new Mokka EV should charge at up to 100kW, enabling it to reach 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. 7.4kW and 11kW AC charging will provide 100 per cent charge in eight and five hours respectively.

Whilst the powertrain is a known entity, it's in the design that Vauxhall reckons it's taken some of the boldest steps. A new 'detoxed' design language is promised – which basically means less fussy – and the car will benefit from shorter front and rear overhangs as well as a lower profile.

Inside, Vauxhall says the car will be “fully digitised” to give a modern and progressive look. Speaking to Auto Express, Michael Lohscheller from Opel, said that the Mokka is “one of the most important launches we've had in some time” - thanks to its tech and the new design language.

“The new Vauxhall Mokka will change people’s perception of our brand,” said Stephen Norman, Vauxhall’s Managing Director. “Not only does it show that we’re serious about electrification, but also that we’re not afraid to innovate with design, both inside and out of the car. The Mokka is still in its development phase now, but it is set to be one of Vauxhall’s most important models when it arrives with customers at the start of next year.”

Speaking of launch, the brand has been pretty clear that 2020 is all about the new Corsa, including a strong push for the brand's first EV, the Corsa-e which has manifested itself in a variety of novel adverts. Discover EV was invited to the launch that Vauxhall had planned for the start of April, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus.

Vauxhall has confirmed that production of the new Mokka will begin in the quarter four of this year, with first customer deliveries in early 2021 together with the petrol and diesel versions. We'll keep tabs on all of the forthcoming developments and be sure to let you know as they happen!

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