Smart Motorist

Currently, Meriva and Zafira models such as van set new trends, but in 1970, Manta and Ascona models have helped the manufacturer to enter new market segments being sold nearly 1.2 million units in just five years.

However, although they were developed on the same technical platform, addressing different customer groups: Manta coupe was a dynamic, Ascona a comfortable family car or station wagon compact lifestyle.

Manta - coupé family

Manta media was presented in September 1970, at the Maritim Hotel Timmendorfer Strand, near Lübeck, Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Aerodynamic coupe have a logo in the shape of a sea devil (in English, "manta ray"), based on photos taken by French marine biologist Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Designed based on the models' pony car ", popular at that time in the U.S., atleticul sheath was positioned in the market for a car that meets new needs: somewhere between a conventional coupe and a traditional sedan. As the models 'pony car' jacket was stylish, but adequate for daily use by a family.

In the late '60s, more and more customer self-hearted young woman chose coupéuri attractive. Individualism was fashionable and independent air vehicle is fitted jacket with new trends. In the first half of 1971, sold 55,399 vehicles Opel Manta.

Versatile - a car for everyone

Manta had the same structure as the floor and chassis for a dynamic leadership style as Ascona model. As in Ascona, 1.6-liter engine with 68 horsepower and 80 new components were available. S 1.9-liter engine offered for the sporty SR model was developed for Opel Manta Rekord, had a power of 90 hp and was originally designed for Manta. Manta base engine range was the 1.2-liter unit with an output of 60 hp launched in 1972. The Manta GT / E, released in 1973, was equipped with a 1.9-liter injection engine with Bosch L-Jetronic and system. It had an output of 105 hp. The Manta A Opel was the first electronic injection. Thus equipped, GT / E has 15 hp more than the S 1.9-liter engine. According to the style of those times, for Manta GT / E with chrome furnishings were almost completely replaced with some matte black.

In April 1975, shortly before the launch of Manta B, especially the latest model was launched: Magic Black Manta was painted completely black, with decorative red-orange stripes on the sides. Opel built 498,553 units Manta A.

Ascona - future vehicle technology

Ascona A was launched at the Turin Motor Show in 1970 and was dubbed "future car technology" as the press pack. It was positioned between the models and Kadett Rekord, targeting a growing market segment. By March 1975 were approximately 691,438 units built Ascona A.

Technology şasielor, suspension and propulsion systems Ascona and Manta patterns were identical. Front wheels have independent suspension with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, rear axle was controlled with rigid arms and pulled a Panhard rod.

Ascona was produced as a sedan with 2 or 4 doors in standard and deluxe versions. It was available with a 1.6 liter engine with four cylinders, which develops an output of 68 hp and an S version, more powerful 80 hp. As four-cylinder engines larger Rekord model, Ascona propulsion system was equipped with a camshaft located in the cylinder head side, known as the "tree in the cylinder head. A basic model, low cost, was the engine of 60 horsepower 1.2-liter, launched in March 1972.

Ascona Voyage - new version of the middle

The first station wagon lifestyle, innovative car Ascona Voyage was a remarkable addition to the Opel model range. Two-door wagon version was not a classic station wagon, but a leisure vehicle that offered space for an inflatable boat or a bike: it was a role model for young families. "Today, the desire to travel, make camp, participate in sports and in particular hobbies that require a means of transport, water sports, call for a vehicle that delivers ample space and compartments storage. But there will be no sacrifices in terms of comfort experienced by passengers. The car that I built to meet these requirements is called Ascona Voyage, "writes the press material. Ascona Voyage was initially offered only in version L, the range has been extended for the first time in 1974, by adding a version less luxurious caravan.

Ascona SR - trump winners

Ascona Ascona versions 1.9 S and SR were launched in spring 1971. SR version was fitted with a 1.6-liter engine power S 80 hp or a 1.9 liter engine power of 90 bhp. The two most powerful versions could be ordered with an automatic transmission with three gears as an option. SR facilities were available for Voyage, a new vehicle segment station wagon. Illustrate the potential of sport sedan Ascona.

In 1974, Walter Röhrl and Jochen Berger participated in the European Rally Championship driving a sedan with two doors. Euro Car Dealers Opel Ascona of the team was provided with a modified four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2 liters and a cross-flow cylinder head, which produced 200 hp at 6,700 rpm. Röhrl and Berger have won six of eight races and won the European Rally Championship with an unprecedented total score of 120 points.

In 1975, Röhrl and Berger won the Acropolis Rally, Opel recorded its first victory in a World Cup race on board a Ascona A short time before it is replaced by version Ascona B.

Source: http://www.opel.com/