Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Manta Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Manta has a 1897cc 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 955 kgs (2105 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v in the same weight category as the 2014 Radical RXC 3.7 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Manta shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1897cc 8V St4 engine produces 90 bhp (67 kW) @ 5100 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 108 lb-ft (146.4 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 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 2000 Proton Satria 1.8 GTi (119.2 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 94.2 bhp per ton and 113.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Manta competing with the 2000 Proton Satria 1.8 GTi (119.2 bhp per ton) or the 1974 AMC Hornet 360 V8 (119.1 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 113.0 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 2006 Volvo C70 2.5 T5 Coupe Convertible Sport (137.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 (137.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.6 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v as fast as the 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 (12.20 secs) the 1955 Austin-Healey 100 M BN2 2.6L (12.20 secs) the 1954 Hudson Hornet 308 5L (12.20 secs) the or the 1963 Lancia Flaminia Coupe 3 B 2.5 GT (12.30 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v is also faster than the 1963 Lancia Flaminia Coupe 3 B 2.5 GT (12.30 secs) the 1962 Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 (12.40 secs) the 1950 Aston-Martin DB2 2.6L (12.40 secs) the and the 1955 Triumph TR3 2.0L Convertible (12.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Manta and the 2004 BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.12 secs @ 75.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 (18.05 secs), the 2001 MG ZR 1.8i VVC 160 (18.09 secs), and the 2006 Lotus Elise S (18.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v has a maximum speed of 105mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Manta equals the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (116 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v then how about the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (116 mph), the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (116 mph), or the 1986 Ford Escort XR3i MK4 (116 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Manta Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison