The Abarth 500E roars in the parking lot behind the Adam Opel House. The paint acid green, poison green like his intentions. Nik Grammenos gets out, breathes deeply and only says: “Horny, horny, horny – I fell in love.” This is how Speed dating goes today: The employees at the headquarters in Rüsselsheim experience the first #ONETEAM Connectedrive and can test for a week what the Stellantis family has to offer: Opel, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep, DS, PEUGEOT, LEAPMOTOR or Abarth-all electrical models. There are over 900 driving slots. “600 were awarded one hour after the event announced,” says Paul Stegmeier, one of the responsible organizers of the event.
Just book online, get the key, drive off. Motto: “We make employees a brand ambassador.” One who conscientiously fulfills this role: Nils Nothnagel, head of Opel work security, today drives the Peugeot E-3008. His conclusion: “Great car.” As a passionate brand ambassador, he has been promoting neighbors and friends for Opel models for years. Now he is becoming an ambassador. The E-3008? “Convinced by design, reach and comfort.” Two who don’t get enough are the dual students Maxim Affeldt and Justin Klan. Four models are on their list – from Abarth to Peugeot 408 to DS7. They are currently climbing the Opel Grandland. Your judgment: “Elegant and spacious.”
“Horny, cool, horny – I fell in love.”
– Nik Grammenos, Packaging Project Manager –
Particularly popular: the two Abarth models. The 600e Scorpionissima brings 280 hp on the road, the fully electric 500E at least 150 hp. “My profession is the bare sheet,” says Dennis Sudheimer, who is responsible for the welding techniques of all raw bodies in Stellantis works. Today he tests the finished product. Sudheimer lets the Abarth 500e sound generator sound – over 6,000 hours of development, so that the howling also goes under the skin. Bianca-Jennifer Gutt takes a key for the third time. The marketing specialist works at Opel in Pricing, soon switches to Peugeot sales. She tests them all: E-208, E-308, E-408, E-5008. “I love design,” she says. For them, the trips are more than fun – they are preparation for the next career step. “There are so many options within the Stellantis family-that inspires me.”
Oliver Spängeld pulls the door into the castle. A rich “Klack”, then silence. The Opel Frontera wants to be moved. “I am responsible for the release of the cable rates,” says software X colleague, while rolling off the factory premises. He wants to experience what was checked by his hands. Next to him in the passenger seat: Roland Mildau from the seat supplier Lear. Thirty minutes travel time. View of the center console. Large display, intuitive operation. “Nothing superfluous,” says Spängehl. “You can find your way around immediately.” Short accelerate on the country road, then relaxed gliding. The Frontera is quietly on the street. “This is not a show car,” says Spängehl. “This is suitable for everyday use.” Space, comfort, technology – everything there. Without frumin. Not a car for Poser, but for people with family, with reason.
“A large part of the driving slots was awarded after an hour.”
– Paul Stegmeier, organizer of the event –
Instead of naked sheet: Dennis Sudheimer tests the finished product.
Abarth’s scorpion logo joins the Opel Blitz and the French lion.
Hundreds of employees take the opportunity to easily take a look at the Stellis model range.
Next: Opel Grandland! The dual students Maxim Affeldt and Justin Klan (left) cannot get enough.
Nils Nothnagel has long advertised with friends and neighbors for Opel models-in the meantime he is an ambassador.
Marion Fuchs, interior designer at the headquarters, looks into the interior of the Fiat 600E with the eye of the specialist. “I’m particularly excited about the seats,” she says. The cockpit: clear, practical, colored. Fabric from recycling fibers. “Our colleagues understand their craft.” Leap motor, the youngest brand in the portfolio, also ensures curiosity. She has been part of Stellantis since 2023 – as a joint venture. The small car T03 and the compact SUV C10 are ready. Frank Baumeister cannot decide – and tests both. 18,000 euros for the small Stromer T03? “This is a word,” he says. Above all: many assistance features for the money.
Conclusion: Each brand has identity, every model character – and the one -week #oneteam Connectedrive is more than a test drive. The speed dating format by the variety of stellis models-it is charged with electricity and enthusiasm. The tenor of everyone involved: Definitely desired!
June 2025
Text: Tina Henze; Photos: Philipp Wala, Tina Henze; Video: Opel/Philipp Wala