Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Manta 400 2.4 - [1981]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Manta Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta 400 2.4 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. 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 2410cc 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 1095 kgs (2414 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Manta 400 2.4 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 2410cc 16V St4 engine produces 142 bhp (105 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 155 lb-ft (210.1 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 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 1980 BMW 5 Series M535i E12 (154.5 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 129.6 bhp per ton and 141.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 Manta competing with the 1980 BMW 5 Series M535i E12 (154.5 bhp per ton) or the 1987 Alfa-Romeo 75 3.0 V6 (154.5 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 141.5 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 1968 Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam (166.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (166.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Manta 400 2.4 as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Manta 400 2.4 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Manta and the 1992 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.24 secs @ 84.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo (16.16 secs), the 2007 Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design (16.17 secs), and the 1998 Bentley Continental T 6.8 V8 Turbo (16.17 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1981 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta 400 2.4 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1981 Manta equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1981 Vauxhall-Opel Manta 400 2.4 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1981 Manta Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison