Opel Manta comes back to life but as an electric car

The Opel Manta name may sound familiar and this is because the vehicle was launched over 50 years ago with a four-cylinder engine. 

Fast forward to 2021, Opel is resurrecting the model but swaps the combustion engine for an electric powerplant. 

Called the Manta GSe ElektroMOD, the model combines the classic appearance of a style icon together with state-of-the-art technology for sustainable motoring – far removed from a classic car rally. 

“The Manta GSe impressively demonstrates the enthusiasm with which we build cars at Opel. It combines our great Opel tradition with today’s commitment to emissions-free mobility for a very desirable, sustainable future. Opel is already electric with many models – and now the legendary Manta is too,” says Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

Powering the Opel Manta is a rear-mounted electric motor that churns out 108 kW and 255 Nm on tap. It spawns a four-speed manual transmission and according to Opel, it can travel for about 200 km before the 31 kWh lithium-ion battery runs out of power.

As with the production Opel Corsa-e and Opel Mokka-e, the Manta GSe can also recover braking energy and store it in the battery.

Regular charging takes place via a 9.0 kW onboard charger for single-phase and three-phase AC charging. This means it takes just under 4 hours to fully charge the Manta battery.

It rides on exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels from Ronal shod with 195/40 R17 tyres at the front and 205/40 R17 at the rear.

The boot proudly displays “Manta” in the new, modern Opel script. The chrome fender trims of the original have disappeared – as was the case back then with many tuning and racing cars from Irmscher and Co.

Inside, it is equipped with the brand’s latest digital technology such as a wide Opel Pure Panel, two integrated, driver-oriented, 12 and 10-inch widescreen. 

There is a Petri three-spoke steering wheel while the styling of the seventies has been retained.  

Source: Opel