Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Manta 2.0 GTE Coupe - [1982]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Manta Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta 2.0 GTE Coupe is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1982. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Manta has a 1979cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Manta shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Manta's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1090 kgs (2403 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Manta 2.0 GTE Coupe in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Manta shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1979cc 8V St4 engine produces 110 bhp (82 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 119 lb-ft (161.3 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Vauxhall-Opel Manta you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (125.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel Manta.

The Vauxhall-Opel Manta has a Power to weight ratio of 100.9 bhp per ton and 109.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1982 Manta competing with the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (125.9 bhp per ton) or the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (125.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Vauxhall-Opel Manta generating around 109.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (134.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1985 Vauxhall-Opel Monza GSE 3.0 (133.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Manta 2.0 GTE Coupe as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Manta 2.0 GTE Coupe is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Manta and the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.66 secs @ 77.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi (17.58 secs), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (17.60 secs), and the 1957 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (17.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1982 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta 2.0 GTE Coupe has a maximum speed of 119mph.

Top Speed of the 1982 Manta equals the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1982 Vauxhall-Opel Manta 2.0 GTE Coupe then how about the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph), the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (130 mph), or the 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i (130 mph).

Related Links:

1982 Manta Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison