It’s tantalising. Opel has shown us an electric restomod based on the shapely Manta coupé from half a century ago, and distinctly desirable it looks too.
The 1970 was based on the Ascona saloon (think Insignia) and was a major rival to the Ford Capri, especially in Germany. The Opel was undoubtedly the better car, its 1.9-litre motor less coarse than the Capri’s, its live rear axle less wayward.
But that was then. What we have here is a heavily modified Manta propelled by a 145bhp, 188lb ft electric motor, making it the most powerful version of the car Opel has yet made. Presumably it’s not that heavy, being a restomod, so it will be quick but it also looks to be airbag-less, if the small boss on the steering wheel is anything to go by.
All of which means that it won’t see production, despite the charming update of its headlights, an impressively modern, connected interior and the retention of the original car’s four-speed gearbox for your ratio-selecting pleasure. Another deeply pleasing retro reference is the matt black bonnet, the next step beyond go-faster stripes 50 years ago. Happily, the vinyl roof has been left off.
This Manta is tantalising not only because it's a beautifully executed remake of one of the prettiest affordable coupes of the ’70s – and there were plenty back then – but because it’s exactly the kind of electric car this particular scribbler would like. I want an EV that’s sporty, looks it, doesn’t cost the earth and doesn’t come with a battery pack the size of a Trafalgar Square statue plinth.
Right now, your electric choices are hatchbacks, SUVs, saloons and for something really sporty but unaffordable, the Porsche Taycan. Which is out of reach for most of us, too big and too generously bestowed with doors. Unfashionable though this bodystyle is now, I want an electric coupé.
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@si73 Ah, you mean the Honda J-VX prototype from 1998? That was a great looking small coupe which eventually became the unloved original Insight. Full marks to Honda for trying, but unfortunately this neither pleased coupe lovers with its quirky looks nor environmentalists with its limited accommodation and crazy price. Honda quickly realised that the future was with compact SUVs like the CR-V and HR-V...