Spyshots: 2012 Opel Ampera

We are quite sure most of you already know how the Opel Ampera, the European brother of GM's Chevy Volt PHEV, looks like by now. Set to be released onto the market next year, the first European plug-in hybrid will be priced at around EUR28,000 and comes with the promise of 500 kilometers of autonomy (before refueling and recharging), provided by the 16 kWh lithium-ion battery.

As you can see though, testing of the model still continues in Europe, with the Ampera presenting us with a light camo around some of its redesigned edges. To separate it from the American version, Opel will fit it with redesigned front and rear ends, both bearing the Opel distinctive horizontal chrome bar.

The Ampera will be powered by the same drivetrain driving the Volt, meaning GM's 111 kW electric drive unit and the aforementioned 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. The vehicle will be capable of traveling on electricity alone for about 60 km. After that, a small petrol powered engine kicks in and begins recharging the battery.

Ampera's electric drive unit provides 370 Nm of torque and 150 horsepower, allowing the car to accelerate from naught to sixty in nine seconds. It tops at 161 km/h (100 mph).

Last week, GM announced the warranty it will offer for the Volt's battery, eight years/100,000 miles. Although nothing official was announced yet, it is expected the Ampera will be covered by the same warranty.

The first pre-production 2012 Opel Ampera rolled off the production line at General Motor's Warren, Michigan assembly plant this April.