Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD: The dream, the team, the technology

Recently updated on January 29, 2022 at 12:45 am

In the beginning there was the car. More precisely an orange-red Opel Manta with black vinyl roof in the Opel Classic collection. A typical representative of the colorful wild seventies! A style icon. From first hand, overall in good shape, but a little worn out. Still unrestored, maybe more of a parts carrier. At the same time, Opel's e-offensive with new models like the Opel Mokka in full swing. And so one thing led to another. The Opel Classic experts marked the start: "There is a trend in the scene towards 'RestoMods', towards classic vehicles with modern drives." So why not bring the Manta back to life electrically? With plenty of torque on the rear axle for quick sprints without a lot of noise. Just a dream? No, much more. The idea was born and shared - with some passionate designers, 3D modelers, engineers, technicians, mechanics, product and brand experts. A group of Opel fans who are simply in love with cars.

Opel Manta GSe ElectroMOD

The idea quickly took on further contours. The 50-year-old Manta has become a child of our time - electric, emission-free and as emotional as it should be for a true legend. Of the Opel Manta GSe ElectroMOD was born - initially in the minds of its makers. “The GSe is a homage to the Manta of yesteryear and at the same time a brand statement for the present. Opel is brave and clear - excitingly different. Maybe different from what you would expect from us, ”says Quentin Huber, Head of Brand Strategy and Social Media at Opel.

So much enthusiasm immediately inspired the Car Guys in the Opel management. There was a spontaneous green light from above for this other, cheeky, dazzling project - and the idea of ​​an extra-cool ElektroMOD became reality within a few months. Something similar has already happened at Opel, when a group of enthusiasts led by chief designer Erhard Schnell designed an exciting sports coupé on their own initiative. This project started in 1963 and presented the study to the automotive world almost two years later Experimental GT and finally from 1968 to 1973 the Opel GT. But this is another story.

In the case of the Manta GSe ElektroMOD, the development team has retained the car's original fascination and at the same time brought top innovations into play: the expressive ones Pixel Vizor with the latest LED technology, the fully digital cockpit and the battery-electric drive. “The Manta GSe stands for the pure love of the automobile. With ElektroMOD we are building a bridge from the great Opel tradition to a sustainable future that is worth striving for. This mixture of zeitgeist from then and now is absolutely fascinating, ”explains Pierre-Olivier Garcia, Opel Global Brand Design Manager, on behalf of the Manta GSe team.

Step by step: From the oldie at first hand to the fascinating ElektroMOD

The path to the dream car began in the hallowed halls of Opel Classic - Unrestored collectibles department. Here was the orange Manta A with a black vinyl roof and automatic transmission. Opel Classic already had the Manta in 1988 with an almost rustproof Body get given. First-hand, from a lady from Wiesbaden. She bought the Manta new in 1974 and driven it for 14 years. The coupé only got the new neon yellow paint in the Opel service workshop after the car had already been electrified and approved by the TÜV.

The original Manta A seats from back then had no headrests. Not an option for a modern car. Therefore the Manta GSe ElektroMOD got new ones Recaro seatsas they were once installed in the Opel ADAM S. They didn't fit in easily and had to be tailor-made for the Manta in the concept workshop - like many of the new components.

The first owner had chosen an automatic transmission for her Manta A. This was still technically okay. But it was rather a rarity for a Manta of the seventies. The Opel team wanted the classic Four-speed gearbox for the ElektroMOD, as it was built in millions of times at the time. So the technicians designed an adapter plate with which the Opel transmission could be connected to a larger clutch. Now a longer cardan shaft from the Opel Classic parts rack was needed. The braking system was adapted to the increased vehicle performance. Larger stoppers were installed on the front axle, and drum brakes were converted to disc brakes on the rear axle.

The chassis is nicely taut at the front and a little softer at the rear so that the Manta always has plenty of traction in the hindquarters. After all, the ElektroMOD is the most powerful Manta of all time - with the exception of tuning and racing versions. Power and torque of the 108 kW / 147 PSSynchronous motor must therefore be brought onto the road from the classic rear-wheel drive. For good traction and a low center of gravity, the 31 kWh lithium-ion battery was installed in the trunk as far forward as possible. Four adults can still travel in the Manta GSe and there is still enough luggage space for a two-week holiday in Italy.

The bottom line is that after the conversion to the ElektroMOD, the Manta weighs 1.137 kilograms - 175 kilograms more than the original, but still significantly less than many modern cars with internal combustion engines. With a normal driving style, the GSe has a range of 200 kilometers, with a somewhat restrained driving style, even more. And as befits an Opel Stromer, the E-Manta can also "recuperate". To the Energy recovery To activate it, the driver has to operate a switch mounted in the glove compartment.

It is a real experience to control the Manta GSe ElektroMOD. Tradition and modernity not only meet visually, but can also be literally experienced. The engine is started stylishly with the ignition key - almost noiselessly. Then the driver has the choice of engaging fourth gear and simply driving off. The torque of the electric motor is high enough to unwind everything in one translation. Or the pilot drives the Manta as it should and shifts cleanly through the four gears of the Opel transmission. The Manta GSe accelerates refreshingly. The top speed is then electronically limited to 150 km / h.

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

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