Opel Manta to return as an electric sports car
Tuesday, 8 March 2022
Opel has confirmed the Manta will return in 2025 as a pure-electric sports car.
The news came as part of a press release stating Opel’s intent to become a fully electric maker in Europe by 2028 (after parent company Stellantis said it would go all-EV in Europe), as well as offering electric power for its entire light commercial vehicle fleet and electrified versions of each model by 2024.
Opel’s upcoming EVs will all offer driving ranges between 500 and 800 kilometres, with fast-charging capabilities of 32km per minute.
The new models include successors of the Crossland and Insignia, as well as the “new interpretation” of the Manta.
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“The new Opel Manta will be a highly emotional car once again. With electric power that ensures first-class acceleration on tap. Our Manta will once again stand for pure driving pleasure. We will build a fascinating, astoundingly spacious new interpretation,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz.
Opel isn’t ready to talk specifics yet, but does say the sports car will be “emissions-free and versatile, a car that fans crave.”
In 2021, the company showed a teaser of the new Manta, which looks like a high-riding four-door with a coupe-like roofline. That means it will probably ride on the STLA Medium platform from Stellantis, and act as Opel’s halo car.
It would be infinitely cooler if Opel actually put the GSE ElecktroMOD concept into production, which is more of a restomod of the original Manta than a new model using the same name. Looks way cooler too, with right-angle headlights taken from the current Astra, a blacked-out and enclosed grille, and a quartet of round LED taillights.
The whole thing only weighs 1137kg too, although we’d love it if Opel can increase the power from 108kW…
Unconfirmed reports reckon the new Manta could pack two electric motors with up to 294kW of power, putting the model up against the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
As for a local launch, there is something of a chance we could see the new Manta here, considering Opel is no longer under the GM banner. Stellantis sells locally in the form of Jeep, Maserati, Peugeot, Citroën, Alfa Romeo, Ram and Fiat, through several different distributors, so it wouldn’t be too far out of the question.