![]() ![]() There is still a clutch pedal for changing gears, but if you roll up to a stop in gear there is no need to open the clutch. The first thing you're probably thinking is, "how does a manual electric car work?" Well, it's no different to a combustion-engined manual car. No, it's not there for show this is a fully functioning manual electric sports car. But the most conspicuous feature in the Manta ElektroMod is the four-speed manual gear shifter. Flashes of yellow on the dashboard, seats and twelve o'clock marker on the steering wheel tie the exterior and interior nicely together. Bucket seats from the Adam S support a low-slung driving position, and the interior is upholstered in a mix of leather and Alcantara. Thumbing the cylindrical button to pop open the door reveals a thoroughly modernised cabin featuring the dual-screen layout from the Mokka. The typeface of the badge on the rear is a further hint to the revival of the Manta name, expected in 2025. With no bumpers, it has a much cleaner and more contemporary look. Similar treatment to the rear of the car sees modern ring-shaped LED taillights set within a gloss black panel. Once the car begins driving, only a digital representation of the Opel 'Blitz' logo is shown.Ī set of bespoke wheels produced by Ronal and revised suspension ensure that the Mantra GSe sits right, while the removal of all chrome from the car in favour of gloss black means works exceptionally well with the neon yellow paintwork. When the Manta is parked, the digital panel within displays various messages and statements about the car and electromobility. A gloss black panel hides the main headlights from sight until they are activated, leaving only the LED daytime running lights visible. The most noticeable of the exterior design changes is the installation of a digital 'Vizor' grille. However, due to the lack of thermal management for the battery, only slower AC charging is possible. The design team utilised the original fuel filler cap location as the battery charge port. This placement helped retain an acceptable weight balance in the Manta, which now tips the scales at 1,137kg - an overall increase of approximately 175kg over the original. As the engineers couldn't place it within the car's floor, as is typically the case with production EVs, it is installed upright at the rear of the boot, directly behind the rear seats. Rather than using an off-the-shelf battery pack from the Opel Corsa-e or Mokka-e, the team fitted a custom 31kWh battery. Work set about to create the 'ElektroMod' starting with the removal of the original running gear and interior. A decision to spare it was made, but only to be reborn as a fully electric car. Since then it resided in the company's heritage collection as something of a rarity on account of its rust-free bodywork and automatic transmission.Īs can be the case with such collections, from time to time they need thinning out, and the Manta came up for review. Privately purchased in 1974, this particular car was driven and cherished for 14 years before, unusually, being gifted back to Opel. There's quite a back story to how the Opel Manta GSe came to be, and it almost never happened. Except this is a proper, road-legal electric conversion that's been done right. At first glance it's easy to consider the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMod as nothing more than a fanciful design study or concept car ready to pose on a motor show stand.
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