The wind blows coolly across the asphalt of Jarama. A track where Lauda, Hunt and Fittipaldi once fought for tenths of a second. Today Lea van Acken is sitting in the passenger seat of the Mokka GSE – helmet strapped on, looking ahead. An electric sprint through the curves. No intake whine, no cylinder cycling – 345 Newton meters of torque ensure immediate acceleration, which she later describes as “insanely strong and at the same time light and free”.
For the actress, who travels “rather comfortably” in everyday life, this moment is an aha experience. “Driving that fast on a race track was completely new for me,” she says. “And nothing around us smelled of exhaust fumes.” The Mokka GSE leaves an impression – not least because it draws its genes from the Mokka GSE Rally: the rally prototype that served as the technical and conceptual inspiration for the sporty production model. With identical acceleration and 281 hp, the Mokka GSE consistently translates the spirit of the rally vehicle onto the road.
“Insanely strong and at the same time light and free.”
– Lea van Acken about the driving experience in the Opel Mokka GSE –
One of the most striking actresses of her generation: Lea van Acken at the driving demonstration of the Opel Mokka GSE on the racetrack near Madrid.
Lea van Acken and the Opel team share enthusiasm for electric performance. Product tester Pasquale Aleardi (third from left) was also on site.
But it’s not just the journey that gets stuck. “Everyone in the Opel team puts a lot of heart and fun into what they do.” For Lea, who has known filming and ensembles since she was a teenager, team culture is central. As a product tester, she tests Opel models – and experiences the brand with the flash in a similar way to a film set: people with a common goal. Their conclusion: “Honesty, courage and down-to-earthness. Opel is what it promises.”
Roll with attitude
Lea van Acken has long been one of the most striking faces of her generation. She achieved her breakthrough in 2014 with Stations of the Cross, followed by the celebrated title role in The Diary of Anne Frank as well as international series experiences in Homeland, later Dark and Sløborn. Roles that require psychological depth, concentration, empathy – qualities that are also reflected in their view of mobility.
“My future and that of my children depends on how quickly we become emission-free – especially in transport.” For them, electromobility is a necessity, not a trend. In her private life she drives an Opel, a Combo Electric: practical, flexible, suitable for everyday use. “I’m happy that so much fits in. When I help friends transport instruments – put it in. And I can fold down the back seats and sleep in them. Nothing is nicer than waking up in nature.”
“Our future depends on how quickly we become emission-free.”
– Lea van Acken, Sustainability Ambassador of the German Film Prize –
Electric performance you can touch: Lea van Acken experiences the Opel Mokka GSE where dynamics can be felt – on the race track.
When it comes to electric cars, many people think about charging. Lea thinks about slowing down. “The store invites me to plan my trips well and take breaks.” It leads them to a simple but crucial question: “Do I really need the car now?” Drive less, drive more consciously – an attitude that she lives by. She also drives change professionally. As a sustainability ambassador for the German Film Prize, she discusses with green consultants, advocates for meat-free catering and rethinks production processes.
The power of storytelling
But for her it’s about more than just processes. “Film has the power to tell new narratives about ecological and social coexistence.” Stories, she says, shape perspectives – and the creative industry has a responsibility. “We can boldly create new, more positive visions of our world. Many people are listening to us. This is an opportunity.”
For Lea van Acken, electric mobility is a visible part of the future. How cars feel and how they are driven will shape our thinking of tomorrow. “People want to hear stories,” she says. For them, electromobility, car sharing and strong public transport are not an either/or, but rather an interaction – a future that cannot be explained but rather told emotionally.
January 2026