The wind sweeps coolly over the asphalt of Jarama. A track where Lauda, Hunt and Fittipaldi once fought for tens of a second. Today, Lea van Acken sits in the passenger seat of the Mokka GSE – helmet on, looking ahead. An electric sprint through the corners. No intake howling, no cylinder strokes – 345 Newton meters of torque provide immediate acceleration, which she later describes as “insanely powerful and at the same time light and nimble”.
For the actress, who is “rather leisurely” in everyday life, this moment is a wake-up experience. “Driving so 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 godfather for the sporty production model. With identical acceleration and 281 hp, the Mokka GSE consistently translates the spirit of the rally car onto the road.
“Insanely powerful and at the same time light and nimble.”
– Lea van Acken on the driving experience in the Opel Mokka GSE –
One of the most distinctive actresses of her generation: Lea van Acken at the driving presentation of the Opel Mokka GSE on the racetrack near Madrid.
Lea van Acken and the Opel team share the enthusiasm for electric performance. Product tester Pasquale Aleardi (third from left) was also on site.
But it’s not just the ride that impresses her. “The entire Opel team puts a lot of heart and joy into what they do.” For Lea, who has known filming and ensembles since her teenage years, team culture is central. As a product tester, she tests Opel models – and experiences the brand with the Blitz in a similar way to a film set: people with a common goal. Her conclusion: “Honesty, courage and approachability. Opel is what it promises.”
Roles with attitude
Lea van Acken has long been one of the most distinctive faces of her generation. Her breakthrough came in 2014 with Stations of the Cross, followed by the acclaimed 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 emissions-free – especially in transport.” For her, 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 them in. And I can fold down the back seats and sleep in them. Nothing is more beautiful than waking up in nature.”
“Our future depends on how quickly we become emissions-free.”
– Lea van Acken, Sustainability Ambassador of the German Film Award –
Electric performance at your fingertips: Lea van Acken experiences the Opel Mokka GSE where dynamics can be felt – on the race track.
Many people think of charging when they think of electric cars. Lea thinks about slowing down. “Charging invites me to plan my journeys well and take breaks.” It leads to a simple but crucial question: “Do I really need the car now?” Driving less, driving more consciously – an attitude that she lives. She is also driving change professionally. As a sustainability ambassador for the German Film Awards, she discusses with green consultants, advocates 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 of ecological and social togetherness.” Stories, she says, shape perspectives – and the creative industry bears responsibility. “We can boldly create new, more positive visions of our world. Many people listen to us. This is an opportunity.”
For Lea van Acken, electric mobility is a visible piece 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 her, electromobility, car sharing and strong public transport are not either-or, but an interaction – a future that does not explain itself but tells an emotional story.
January 2026
Text: Tina Henze, photos: Opel