Opel Manta GSe ElektroMod: 1970s coupe restored with electric power and a manual gearbox

The Opel Manta GSe ElektroMod has been revealed, as a modern electrified reimagining on the German brand's 1970s-era sports car.

Built to celebrate the Manta's 50th anniversary, the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMod follows the recently-revealed Hyundai Pony Heritage Series as the latest in a line of electric 'restomods', dropping modern electric powertrains into restored classic cars.

The 1970s Manta's four-cylinder engine has been replaced by a 108kW/225Nm electric motor, mated to the original car's four-speed manual transmission – a rarity among production electric vehicles, but increasingly common in all-electric concept cars, including the Jeep Wrangler Magneto and Ford Mustang Lithium.

Opel claims the manual gearbox offers drivers a choice: shift gears manually for optimal performance, or slot the transmission into its fourth ratio and drive the ElektroMod like a typical single-speed electric vehicle.

A 31kWh lithium-ion battery allows an estimated driving range of around 200 kilometres, with regenerative braking on offer to help recover energy while on the move. 9kW AC charging allows a 100 per cent recharge to be achieved in "just under" four hours.

Matching the Manta's electric mechanicals is modernised exterior styling, with Opel's (and sister brand Vauxhall's) 'Vizor' fascia design spanning across the front end, with 'Pixel' technology allowing the car to display high-resolution messages.

Four 17-inch Ronal alloy wheels wrapped in 195/40 front and 205/40 rear tyres fill the arches, while 'MANTA' badging and three-dimensional LED versions of the original car's circular tail-lights feature at the backend.

Inside, the 1970s model's analog circular instruments have seen the axe, swapped instead for a 'Pure Panel' dashboard with a 12-inch instrument cluster and 10-inch central touchscreen.

Passengers sit in Recaro sports seats with leather and Alcantara trim and yellow accents, and the three-spoke Petri steering wheel has been reworked with a yellow 12 o'clock marker, while other interior surfaces have been re-trimmed in matte grey, black or yellow soft-touch plastic or Alcantara.

Like the look of the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMod? Sadly, it will remain a one-off concept – and while Opel and Vauxhall have pledged to offer electrified versions of their entire line-ups by 2024, a reborn Manta sports coupe for the 21st century likely isn't part of either brand's plans.

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