The Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD Is A Retro EV With A Four-Speed Manual
Electric-converted classics are becoming a big deal. The thinking behind them is simple: you keep the gorgeous retro lines but ditch the unreliable bit with all the moving parts under the bonnet. These things are usually the preserve of aftermarket companies, but now, Opel has decided to have a go itself.
The starting point is the Manta A, Opel’s charming coupe which celebrates its 50th birthday this year. That’s one half of the rationale for building the ‘Manta GSe ElektroMOD’, the other being to mark Opel’s “new electric direction,” which will involve every model in the range having an electrified option by 2024.
The original Manta’s inline-four has been ditched, replaced with a single electric motor that lives in its place. Interestingly, this then drives the rear wheels via the original four-speed manual gearbox, and presumably the stock prop and differential too. Or you can just leave it in fourth and treat it like a regular single-speed EV, Opel says.
The motor is good for 145bhp and 188lb ft of torque, both figures being a damn sight more than the original Manta enjoyed, and more than enough to offset the added weight of the electric stuff. On that front, the motor is powered by a 31kWh battery pack, making for a range of 124 miles. The charging capacity is capped at 9kW, so juicing it up takes a fairly leisurely four hours.
To go with the updated powerplant, the looks have been brought up to date too, albeit with the classic silhouette retained. Headling the tweaks is a ‘Pixel-Vizor’ lighting system at the front that allows the display of various messages, with LED daytime running lights sitting on either side. There’s also notable absence of the original car’s chrome, and some significantly larger wheels - it wears 17-inch Ronal wheels.
The cabin is barely recognisable thanks to the switching of the analogue instrument to the Opel/Vauxhall ‘Pure Panel’ setup, which consists of 12 and 10-inch screens. Balancing that out is nicely is a Petri three-spoke steering wheel, retrimmed and spruced up with a yellow 12 o’clock marker. Finally, there’s a new audio system from iconic guitar amp specialist Marshall.
It’s strictly just a one-off - this isn’t the starting point for an official restomod service from Opel, sadly.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Wheels by Ronal, keeping the petri steering wheel, manual gearbox? Whoever did this clearly knows what’s up. Which makes it more of a shame that, despite the effort of mating the original 4 speed to an electric motor, Opel seems to be very keen to not do anything with it.
I’m also curious, I know that electric cars don’t need a gearbox as such, but are there any benefits to have a 4+ speed box? Would it make it more efficient at higher speeds? Stretch the powerband out?
The stick shift is primarily for driving fun. Any electric car short of a Formula E car really only needs 1 or 2 gears.
Most modern electric cars only use one gear, but as a consequence they suffer at high speeds - even more so due to their comparatively higher weight.
Having a second gear to aid at higher speeds definitely help but it isn’t necessary, since few owners will ever take their cars to such high speeds!
Why ruin the car by making it electric…