We have already partially seen the electric Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD, but here it is in its full glory. The plug-in coupé is based on an Opel Manta A from the early 1970s. The original four-cylinder petrol engine has been replaced by an electric motor with 147 hp and 255 Nm. The driving forces go to the rear wheels, as befits an Opel Manta.
Original Opel Manta four-speed gearbox
What is special is that the original four-speed gearbox is still in the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD. The driver can choose to use what it is intended for (shifting gears in an electric car, how often do you come across that?), But also opt for the ‘automatic mode’. You switch on the latter by simply putting the transmission in four. After all, an electric motor only needs one gear.
Range of approximately 200 kilometers
The motor is linked to a 31 kWh battery, which provides enough power for a range of approximately 200 kilometers. Like the Opel Corsa-e and Mokka-e, the Manta GSe ElektroMOD recovers energy during braking. Charging is done via a 9.0 kW on-board charger. The battery of the electric Opel is full again within four hours.
The Opel Manta was not that sporty
“The all-electric Manta is just as sporty as the original Manta,” writes Opel. But the funny thing is: that classic coupé was not that sporty at all. It was more show than go, with up to 105 hp for the 1974 Opel Manta GT / E and a chassis derived from the Opel Ascona.
The well-known German Manta jokes
But the Opel Manta was a style icon, until recently not always in a positive sense. The common man’s sports coupé shared its bad reputation with the Ford Capri, was brought to the attention of a whole new generation of Dutch people through the New Kids films and is still the butt of German Manta jokes ( Mantawitz, as our eastern neighbors say themselves).
Wide LED grille for communication
Opel has not only provided the Manta GSe ElektroMOD with a new powertrain, but also given the classic two-door a different front. The grille is now a wide LED screen, which allows the car to communicate with its surroundings. The yellow body paint and black bonnet (against annoying reflections in the windshield) come from rallying, in which the old Manta was quite successful more than forty years ago.
Digital cockpit and touchscreen
The classic round clocks have disappeared in the cabin. The driver now looks out over a digital cockpit and a touchscreen for the infotainment system. The bright yellow exterior color returns on the sports seats – from the Opel Adam S -. The three-spoke steering wheel comes from the original car, but has been modified by Opel.