Vauxhall-Opel will revive the classic Manta name for a new battery-electric vehicle that will go on sale by the middle of the decade as part of its transformation into an electric-only brand in Europe.
Opel boss Michael Lohscheller confirmed the revival of the Manta – which in its original form was a rear-wheel drive coupe – at parent company Stellantis’ EV Day 2021 event, in which the auto giant announced a £ 21.8 billion investment in electrification.
Describing a plan for Opel – including UK branch Vauxhall – to go electric only in Europe by 2028, Lohscheller pledged that: “Opel will reinvent the Manta-e by the middle of the decade and put on the market is a very emotional car that will excite our customers. “
Opel recently unveiled a restored battery-electric version of the original Manta A to showcase its EV technology, although the new machine is set to be radically reinvented.
A single teaser image showing a concept for the revived machine was shown during the presentation, suggesting the new Manta could take the form of an SUV-coupe.
No further details about the car have been released, although it uses one of Stellantis’ four dedicated EV platforms. It is likely to use the STLA Medium or STLA Large platform, designated respectively for high-end performance cars and all-wheel drive. Both platforms are designed to house a variety of power outputs and allow front, rear and all-wheel drive.
STLA Medium can hold up to 104 kWh of batteries, allowing a range of 440 miles, with SLTA Large cars offering up to 500 miles of range from 118 kWh batteries.
The first-generation Manta A was released in 1970 as a rival to the Ford Capri and was based on the Ascona sedan. The name comes from the Manta Ray concept on which it was based and which also influenced the Chevrolet Corvette C3.
Exceptionally, the Manta was sold as an Opel in the UK until it was renamed the Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch and Coupé with the arrival of the second generation Manta B in 1975. Vauxhall did not sell this model only until 1981, and the third generation La Manta B2 launched in 1982 was not offered in the UK.
The Manta was replaced by the Calibra, which was sold in Great Britain, in 1989.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-08 15:58:40
