11:00 04-07-2026

Renault 5 as a model for Opel: why the brand should look back at Manta and Kadett

Retro design turned the Renault 5 E-Tech into a commercial hit. Experts say Opel could follow the same path by reviving its own icons, the Manta and the Kadett, rather than simply copying the past.

Renault 5 E-Tech has proven that retro design can work not just as nostalgia, but as a genuine commercial tool for an electric car. According to experts, the same approach could serve as a reference point for Opel too — the brand has several instantly recognizable models sitting in its archive.

The prime candidates for such a reimagining are Manta and Kadett. Opel has already shown it knows how to work with its heritage: the electric Manta GSe ElektroMOD concept was a direct nod to the classic Manta, and the brand's current face, the Opel Vizor, is itself inspired by the horizontal front end of the Manta A.

But simply copying the past is unlikely to be the answer. The Renault 5 works precisely because it borrows familiar proportions and details while still looking like a modern EV. For Opel that matters even more: the brand needs to stand out within Stellantis, where different marques share common platforms and components.

And if Opel does decide to build on its design icons, it may not stop at the Manta. The Kadett also left a clear mark on the brand's history, and traces of its legacy can still be read in current models — including the signature “crease” running down the Astra's hood.