Opel was the group's brand that dropped the most “bombs” with relevance to the European market during Stellantis' EV Day, highlighting its intention to be fully electric in Europe and the introduction, in the middle of the decade, of a new Blanket, or rather, blanket , alluding to the fact that it will be electric.
Although it is only expected to arrive sometime in 2025, the “Lightning” brand did not shy away from showing a first digital proposal of the future and Manta's return, and what was our surprise to see that it was a… crossover.
It is true that we are still far in the time to see this new Opel Manta-e and its design could change drastically (the design process must still be at an early stage), but the intention seems to be clear: the brand's historic coupé will give your name to a five-door crossover. He is not the first to do so: Ford Puma and Mitsubishi Eclipse (Cross) are examples of this.
After Opel tried us with the restomod, or elektroMOD in the brand's language, based on the classic Manta, expectations about a possible return of the model were not to see the name associated with a crossover.
But, as we have seen time and time again, the electric future of the automobile seems to be destined to assume only and only the crossover format — although the diversity of proposals is remarkable.
Given the precocity of the announcement, nothing more has been revealed about the new model, but there is more news regarding the future of Opel.
100% electric in Europe from 2028
Today, Opel already has a strong electrified presence in the market, with several electric models, such as the Corsa-e and Mokka-e, and plug-in hybrid models, such as the Grandland, not forgetting its commercial vehicles that prepare it. to include hydrogen fuel cell versions.
But it's just the beginning. On Stellantis' EV Day, Opel revealed that from 2024 onwards its entire model portfolio will feature electrified models (hybrid and electric), but the big news is that, from 2028, Opel will be electric-only in Europe . A date that anticipates those advanced by other brands, which have in 2030 the year of change to an existence only and only electric.
Finally, the other big news put forward by Opel refers to its entry into China, the world's largest automobile market, where its portfolio will only consist of 100% electric models.
After being acquired by PSA and now as part of Stellantis, the willingness of those responsible for Opel, led by Michael Lohscheller, to expand into new international markets, outside European borders, was clear, reducing their dependence on the “old continent” .