New Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD shows beaming smile

• Communication: New Opel face with Pixel-Vizor displays graphics and text messages
• Inspiring: Manta transforms from iconic coupé into sustainable ElektroMOD
• Electric: E-motor under typical black hood replaces four-cylinder engine
• Enthusiastic: Young Opel team designed and developed emission-free neo-classic

New Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD

A car full of emotion – and now the legendary Opel Manta is even transforming into an emission-free ElektroMOD with a modern face. Under the Opel-iconic black bonnet, the four-cylinder petrol engine makes way for a powerful electric motor. The “e” in GSe now stands for electrification. Pure and classically beautiful neon yellow bodywork also gets a beaming smile from the latest LED technology. The original Manta with its geometric arrangement of headlights, radiator grille and “Blitz” lightning bolt emblem already provided the inspiration for the new Opel face, Vizor now implemented in the Mokka and Crossland. Now the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD itself bears this design in its most innovative implementation yet – the expressive Pixel-Vizor.

New Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD: Opel Pixel-Vizor

Opel Pixel-Vizor stretches across the entire width of the vehicle, protectively placing itself like a visor and setting off digital fireworks in the process. Opel Manta GSe can communicate with its environment across the entire surface. “My German heart has been ELEKTRified” is written across the new front. “I am on a zero e-mission”, “I am an ElektroMOD”, the GSe explains and in the next moment shows the silhouette of a Manta ray gliding over the Pixel-Vizor. The Opel designers had some fun with the legendary Manta logo and designed it in the form of a QR code. Next, the unmistakable trademark of the German manufacturer shines centrally, and two lightning bolts then spark out of the circle right into the stylish LED daytime running lights of the Vizor. Simply electrifying. Genuine Opel.

“Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD is the work of passionate designers, 3D modellers, engineers, technicians, mechanics, product and brand experts”, explains Pierre-Olivier Garcia, Opel Global Brand Design Manager, on behalf of the Manta GSe team. “All Opel fans through and through who love cars and have fun developing new things. With the Manta GSe, we are building a bridge from the great Opel tradition to a very desirable sustainable future. This mixture of zeitgeist and modern is absolutely fascinating.”

Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD is a reminiscence of the Opel Manta A from 1970. At the same time, the car reflects the fascination of a growing fan community that transforms classics like the Manta into so-called RestoMods with modern technologies and new design. Purely battery-electric Manta GSe ElektroMOD with its fully digital cockpit is as sporty as a genuine Opel GSe and proudly bears its ambitions in its name. MOD stands for change, for technical and stylistic MODifications as well as a MODern sustainable lifestyle.

Changes that our mobile society experiences every day. Changes towards more desirable sustainable solutions that also move the young Opel development team. On their own initiative, the parents of the Manta GSe started their “dream car” project. After many brainstorming sessions the plan was in place; and a suitable Manta A was found in the Opel Classic warehouse, waiting to be revived. From then on, everyone was gripped by pure car passion. So much enthusiasm immediately inspired the “Car Guys” in Opel management – and the idea of an extra-cool ElektroMOD became reality.

Currently, the new Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD is getting its final touches in Rüsselsheim. On May 19, 2021, neo(n)-classic will then be presented in all its exciting details.

Opel’s Hometown to Become “Electric City”: Rüsselsheim to Have Highest Charging Station Concentration in the European Union

• Strong electric-mobility package: Up to 1,300 charging points in 2020
• Environmentally friendly and cost-effective: Extensive use of renewable energy and minimum grid extension
• User-friendly: Transport researchers from the RheinMain University to examine mobility behaviour and thus optimise the location of the charging stations
• Unique partnership: Diverse consortium consisting of the local authority and representatives of business and science

Rüsselsheim Lord Mayor Udo Bausch, Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller, Prof. Dr. Bodo A. Igler, RheinMain University (from left to right)

Opel’s hometown of Rüsselsheim am Main will become “Electric City”. Rüsselsheim, Opel and the RheinMain University are driving the extension of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics, the installation of around 1,300 charging stations across the city will commence in the upcoming months. These will then be located in all districts and residential areas, on the Opel premises, on the campus of RheinMain University, in residential estates of gewobau Rüsselsheim, on the parking areas of selected supermarkets and shopping centres and on the premises of the municipal clinic (GPR). The ambitious project, for which the partners have received the official grants totalling around €12.8 million, will be realised in multiple steps by 2020.

Going forward, each publicly accessible charging point will service 72 inhabitants, thus creating the highest density of charging stations in relation to the number of inhabitants not only in Germany but in all of the European Union. In addition, another 400 charging points will be installed on privately owned land – 350 of these on the Opel premises. In comparison, Hamburg, currently the leading German city with regards to charging infrastructure, has 785 publically accessible charging points for its 1.8 million inhabitants (city ranking of the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industry).

“The transition to electro-mobility is creating opportunities for Rüsselsheim. The city can take on a leading role for charging infrastructure, for electric vehicles and for electro-mobility in Germany thanks to this unique partnership. The project will strengthen the city as an industrial location and increase our capacity to innovate,” said Lord Mayor Udo Bausch.

Opel’s contribution to the project includes parking areas, which will be fitted with 600 charging points and be accessible to the public after completion of the work. Furthermore, charging points will be installed at 350 parking spots for the Opel company car fleet. “Opel goes electric! This promise is a core pillar of our PACE! strategic plan. And obviously a massive extension of the charging infrastructure at our Rüsselsheim headquarters is important. This is the consistent continuation of our electro offensive,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

Thanks to the involvement of RheinMain Univeristy, the city of Rüsselsheim will become an urban laboratory for electro-mobility unparalleled in Germany. In the process, technical topics such as supply stability and network integration, along with socio-economic aspects such as mobility behaviour will be examined. The data on the charging behaviour will enable the scientists to predict future demands placed on the electricity network and help them identify the individual needs of electric car drivers. In addition to up to 20 charging points, RheinMain University will also install energy storage systems. These are designed to improve the use of renewable energies and therefore minimise the necessary network extension.

“The university is making an important contribution to the urban development of Rüsselsheim with its project-specific research. This underlines the approach we chose, which is to further strengthen the strategic role of universities in regional innovation systems,” said Prof. Dr. Detlev Reymann, President of RheinMain University.

!NEW! Range over 400 Kilometers: New Opel Ampera-e Revolutionizes Electro-Mobility

• Best in class: At least 25 percent more range than the closest competitor
• Sprinter: Accelerates from 0 to 50 in just 3.2 seconds
• Exhibition star: World premiere at the Paris Motor Show on September 29

Opel Ampera-e will finally eradicate the biggest downside of an electric car for everyone – range anxiety. In accordance with the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC, the current standard for range comparisons between different vehicles) the new e‑car from Rüsselsheim can clear the magical 400 kilometer barrier by a considerable margin without recharging (purely electrical range measured based on the NEDC in km: >400; provisional figure). This makes Opel’s new electric compact model by far the best in its segment. In comparison, the BMW i3, even equipped with the optional large 33 kWh battery can only cover 300 kilometers in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), the Nissan Leaf manages 250 kilometers, the Renault Zoe 240 kilometers and the VW e-Golf 190 kilometers. With at least 25 percent more range than its closest competitor, the Opel Ampera-e revolutionizes electro-mobility. Naturally, the maximum range in everyday use deviates from the NEDC values. In practice, factors such as road characteristics, weather conditions, driving style or additional load influence the range. However, the Ampera-e can effortlessly cover more than 300 kilometers even under average everyday conditions. Opel’s newcomer will celebrate its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show (Public days: October 1 to 16) in Hall 5-2 (booth 501).

Best in class: Opel Ampera-e boasts at least 25 percent more range than the closest competitor

“In the Ampera-e we will bring an electric car suitable for everyday use to the market. It delivers an extensive range and will be offered as of spring next year already. Opel Ampera-e is not eco-luxury, not a gadget and not a pure second car. Opel is showing that electro-mobility is also achievable for a much broader audience thanks to the most innovative technology – Opel is democratizing the electric car with the Ampera-e,” said an enthusiastic Opel CEO Dr. Karl‑Thomas Neumann.

However, the 4.17 meter long Ampera-e not only impresses with its outstanding range. It also offers space for up to five people and a trunk volume of 381 liters, which is clearly above average for cars of a similar overall length. This generous spaciousness is made possible by the clever integration of the ten battery modules. The entire package is located in the underbody and is tailored to the contours of the vehicle. This means that no space is wasted. The battery consisting of 288 lithium-ion cells and a capacity of 60 kWh was developed in cooperation with LG Chem.

Driving pleasure: First a sprint then energy recuperation

The Opel Ampera-e excites with its acceleration that is on par with sportscars. The maximum torque of 360 Nm is responsible for the electrifying temperament of the Opel newcomer. Effortless starts from a standing position (such as at traffic lights) or highway access are two of the Opel Ampera-e’s main strengths. The compact car accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in 3.2 seconds, mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h, which is especially important for overtaking, is successfully completed in 4.5 seconds (preliminary figures). Top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h for the benefit for the overall range. The performance of the electric engine is equivalent to 150 kW/204 hp.

But the Ampera-e has even more to offer: the revolutionary electric car allows casual and almost silent cruising while also being able to recharge the batteries when in motion. To do so, the driver just needs to ease off the accelerator in the normal “Drive” mode. The Ampera-e recuperates automatically in overrun and wins back energy from the electric motor that doubles as a generator. The motor’s braking effect is increased when the driver switches to “Low” mode, thus also increasing recuperation. Furthermore, the driver can switch to “Regen on Demand” for maximum energy recuperation via a paddle at the back of the steering wheel. The drag torque of the motor is so high in “Low/Regen on Demand” modes that the brake pedal does not need to be applied to reduce speed to a full stop in normal traffic. The Ampera-e can thus safely be controlled via the accelerator (One Pedal Driving). Obviously, the brake pedal still needs to be applied in case of emergency. Initial vehicle simulation models show that drivers can increase the range by up to five percent compared to “Drive” mode when applying “One Pedal Driving” with the corresponding full recuperation when in dense city stop-and-go traffic.

Fully connected: With Opel OnStar and smartphone integration

Outstanding digital connectivity is an integral part of a sustainable concept. Opel Ampera-e has both latest generation IntelliLink infotainment and Opel OnStar on board – the award‑winning connectivity and service assistant offers a powerful Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices (depending on the market). The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink systems bring the world of smartphones into the Ampera-e, thus allowing passengers complete access to their favorite music or the possibility of streaming movies.

!NEW! “e” for Electrifying: Opel Ampera-e World Premiere in Paris

• e-Premiere: revolutionary electric car at Paris motor show
• e-fun to drive: acceleration and overtaking ability like a sportscar
• e-connectivity: always online with IntelliLink infotainment and Opel OnStar

Electrifying: Opel will revolutionize electromobility with the new Ampera-e.

Opel will revolutionize electromobility at the up-coming “Mondial de l’Automobile” in Paris. From October 1-16 the Opel Ampera-e – an electric car that electrifies in every way – makes its world premiere (hall 5-2, booth 501). The car with the lightning flash logo combines pioneering battery technology and localized emissions-free operation with a fun-to-drive experience, as the maximum torque of 360 Nm provides impressive acceleration figures and overtaking ability.

“The Opel Ampera-e makes electromobility fully feasible for everyday use and ready for the future” says Opel CEO, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “The Ampera-e demonstrates impressively how well sustainability and driving pleasure can form a unity. And with its strong-as-an-ox electric motor, it delivers pure fun-to-drive.”

The maximum torque of 360 Nm is responsible for the electrifying temperament of the new Opel. The power output of the electric motor is 150 kW/204 hp (PS). Standing starts at traffic lights and entering the motorway belong to the Opel Ampera-e’s favorite disciplines. The compact car sprints to 50 km/h in only 3.2 seconds, acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h for overtaking is accomplished in just 4.5 seconds (provisional figures). The Ampera-e thus performs at the same level as OPC models, the sporty spearheads of Opel.

Fun-to-drive with the Opel Ampera-e also means swift cruising at up to 150 km/h. At the same time, the Ampera-e also offers a significantly longer range than most other electric cars. The unique, compact proportions of the Ampera-e are driven by the battery pack being mounted flat, under the vehicle floor. The efficient packaging of the battery also enables a roomy interior providing comfortable seating for five passengers and trunk space comparable with that of a car in the compact class.

Best entertainment: download your favorite films and music

Driving pleasure for the passengers over long distances is provided. In addition to the excellent feeling of roominess, there comes the best in digital connectivity, in typical Opel fashion. The Ampera-e has the newest generation of IntelliLink infotainment as well as Opel OnStar onboard. Subject to availability, the award-winning connectivity and service assistant simultaneously offers up to seven mobile devices access to its powerful Wi-Fi hotspot. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink systems bring the world of smartphones into the Ampera-e, so that passengers have full access to their favorite music or can download at will their preferred films – just a few examples of the many functions of the multifaceted entertainment.

!NEW! Opel Announces New Battery Electric Car: Ampera-e

• New Opel battery electric vehicle will break down barriers to electric mobility
• Five-door, five-seat Ampera-e will have longer range than most electric cars
• Fun to drive, outstanding connectivity and affordably priced

Game-changer: Five-door, five-seat Opel Ampera-e will have longer range than most electric cars.

Opel will launch a revolutionary new battery electric car next year, as the German brand continues the biggest, most far-reaching model offensive in its history with 29 new models between 2016 and 2020. The new five-door, five seat will be called “Ampera-e”. It will not only have a longer range on a full charge than most electric cars, it will also be affordably priced.

Building on the electrification expertise established with the original Opel Ampera, which set the benchmark for modern electric cars in 2011, the new Opel Ampera-e combines innovative electric-mobility with state-of-the-art connectivity and exciting driving dynamics.

Announcing the Ampera-e today at the CAR Symposium in Bochum, Germany, GM Chairman & CEO Mary Barra said: “GM and Opel have always been convinced that electric cars will play a defining role in future mobility. The game-changing technology of the Ampera-e is a significant step toward realizing that vision. Our new battery electric car is also another boost for Opel’s reputation for making innovative engineering widely accessible.”

In debate: Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, host of the CAR Symposium, and GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra.

Trends like urbanization and protecting the environment also call for new kinds of mobility and alternative propulsion systems. “Electric vehicles have the potential to make a significant contribution to climate protection and emissions reduction”, says Opel group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “The new Opel Ampera-e will open the road to electric mobility by breaking down the barriers of high price and short driving range.”

The unique, compact proportions of the Ampera-e are driven by the battery pack being mounted flat, under the vehicle floor. The efficient packaging of the battery also enables a roomy interior providing comfortable seating for five passengers and trunk space comparable with that of a car in the compact class.

The Ampera-e will also offer the award-winning personal connectivity and service assistant, Opel OnStar and connectivity and infotainment technologies that will integrate smartphones and other electronic devices seamlessly into the vehicle.