► Opel's Manta coupe goes electric
► New restomod turns sports car into EV
► With a manual 'box and digital 'grille'
Opel's finally released the specs and details of its fully electric restomod Manta. It's called the Manta GSe ElektroMod, and it's designed as a 50th anniversary marker for the sporty coupe from the '70s that will promote the brand's growing strengths in electrification.
What a wild looking thing!
The restomod has had a radical design overhaul, using the Manta's base silhouette and injecting some 21st century tech into it. The most noticeable element is the 'Vizor' panel. It's a design cue that started off with the new Mokka crossover and will be the face of future Opels and Vauxhalls. But, this time, it's fully digital and pixelated, allowing you to display (slightly cringey) messages like 'I am on a zero e-mission' on the front.
Other details include full LED lights, a retina-searing lime green/yellow-ish paint finish with black bonnet (which is a nod to the original Manta GTE) and wheels that wouldn't look out of place on an old VXR model.
Inside, Opel has used the seats from the old Adam S and inserted the Mokka's 'Pure Panel' instrument and infotainment displays onto the retro dashboard.
You said it was electric?
Absolutely. Opel has thrown out the four-cylinder engine from the original and replaced the entire powertrain with e-power. It has a single e-motor making 145bhp and 166lb ft, with power coming from a 31kWh battery. Opel claims a range of around 124 miles.
Most interestingly, though, the four-speed manual of the original car remains. Opel says it can still be used, despite the e-powertrain. Or, if you prefer, you can shift it into fourth gear and drive it as if it was an auto (or, indeed, a normal EV).
I want one!
So do we. But you can't. Opel says it's a one-off creation. Which is a shame, really – this has to be one of the most interesting restomods a car maker has ever put serious time into.
Read our Vauxhall reviews