Live axle, coil springs and Bilstein gas shock absorbers. Optional body kit consisting of Irmscher front & rear wheel arch extensions, side skirts, three-piece rear spoiler, and twin headlamps (ABS plastic)ĭouble unequal wishbones with coil springs, Bilstein gas shock absorbers and anti-roll bar As such, the company spawned lesser iterations with the likes of the i400/i200, both which strongly resembled the top of the line Manta GSi mainstream production model but with the option to add the B 400’s exterior appearance. The car was very pricey and made Opel fans rage with envy. The wide arch body kit and decals were optional items fitted out of factory by German tuner Irmscher. The homologation version of the Manta B 400 had most of the technical features of the rally car but with a luxury interior. The “400” name most likely carried over to retain a sense of continuity with the Ascona. This can be explained since only 200 cars needed to be built for Group B homologation (it was 400 for Group 4). The Manta B 400, albeit it shares the “400” moniker with its sister car, the Ascona, was actually produced at 245 units. HOMOLOGATION VERSION Opel Manta B 400 – Homologation Version Live axle with 4 longitudinal links, panhard rod, coil springs and Bilstein telescopic gas shock absorbers.įront ventilated disks 271/279/289mm diameter with 2 or 4 piston calipers, rear ventilated disks 271/277mm diameter with 2 or 4 piston calipers, cable handbrake.ĭual circuit with servo, adjustable ratio split front to rear Kevlar bonnet, boot lid, front and rear wings with wheel arch extensions, side skirts, doors and rear spoilerĭouble unequal wishbones with coil springs, Bilstein telescopic gas shock absorbers and anti-roll bar 2 door coupe with integral roll cage and sump guard. ZF hypoid bevel gears, 75% limited slip rear differential Homologation number: B-237 (click to see papers)ĤS “phase 3” with Cosworth “crossflow” cylinder head, I-4, DOHC 16v, gas

The project was ultimately cancelled but way more information about that car can be found by clicking here! Another interesting project was started at Opel around the same time that the Manta B 400 was being finalised: the Kadett D 400. In 1982, as the Audi quattro started to run circles around the competition at the slippery events, Opel team manager Tony Fall ordered that a four-wheel drive (4×4) prototype of the Manta B 400 be built. By then, Opel’s international efforts were basically abandoned in favour of developing a four-wheel drive and bespoke Group B supercar of their own: the Kadett E 4S. In 1984, overwhelmed by the fierce competition at every turn, the car sadly fell further down the WRC leader-boards even though Rauno Aaltonen steered his Manta to a 2nd place finish at the Safari Rally. The only highlight being a 3rd place podium at the year’s RAC Rally in the capable hands of Jimmy McRae. However, in its inaugural 1983 WRC season, the Manta was instantly outclassed and could only watch the fight between Audi and Lancia without being able to truly impose itself. In the 1982 season, since the Ascona gave the Audi quattro a very good fight, there was high hopes that the new Manta, upgraded to the more permissive Group B rules, would yet remain competitive even though it sported a classic rear-wheel drive layout and a naturally-aspirated engine. For the rest, the specifications of the two sister cars were very similar, including use of the same engine. The Manta was also a bit longer and lower, with its engine sitting a bit further back in the chassis, the latter upgraded to “phase 3” to help increase its reliability while producing a bit more horsepower than its predecessor. Opel Manta B 400 – Technical ViewĬompared with the Group 4 Ascona, the Group B Manta made full use of Kevlar body panels the front air dam / fascia, front wings (fenders), bonnet (hood), doors, rear arches, boot (trunk) lid and rear spoiler – this saved about 70 kg (150 lbs) of weight over the Ascona. Since 1981, both the Group 4 Ascona B 400 and the future Group B contender, the Manta B 400, had been developed simultaneously for use in the World Rally Championship and other rally series. Opel’s use of a conventional rear-wheel drive production car would however make it almost instantly obsolete to the bespoke Group B competition. In mid-1983, as part of GM’s continued international motorsport branding effort, Opel officially made the transition into Group B from the Group 4 Ascona B 400 with its upgraded sister car, the Manta B 400. Notice: Any form of duplication methods (including but not limited to copy/paste of text and screen capture) of the website's content is strictly forbidden. RALLY GROUP B SHRINE WEBSITE TO CLOSE DOWN - READ MORE! Published on: 17:56 Originally Published in: 2014 (old website)

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