The European sibling of the Chevrolet Volt, the Opel Ampera (or Vauxhall, depending on where in Europe you live) presented itself, in production version clothing, at the Geneva Auto Show which opened its doors today.
To be sold in Europe for EUR42,900, the Ampera promises to bring at least the same range and performances of the Volt. And that is only logical, given the fact that the two share basically the same technologies, only wrapped in a slightly different bodywork (the European version looks better, if you are to ask us).
At the heart of the model lies a 111 kW/150 hp electric motor which delivers 370 Newton meters torque right from the very first turn of the wheel. The motor draws its power from a 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery and works in conjunction with a gasoline-fueled engine.
The motor-engine combination pack enough punch to allow the Ampera to reach speeds of 161 km/h and accelerate from naught to sixty in around nine seconds.
The plug-in hybrid can travel some 500 kilometers on a full tank, the first 40 to 80 kilometers doable in electric mode alone.
The Ampera offers four driving modes, Normal, Mountain, Sport and City, each calibrated in such a way that it makes full use of the range capabilities of the motor and battery.
“Unlike a conventional electric vehicle, the Opel Ampera can be the only car you need to own,” said Alain Visser, vice president of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Opel.
“The Ampera delivers it all: revolutionary propulsion, progressive styling, excellent safety, high quality and user-friendly functions, all combined with superb driving dynamics.”
To be sold in Europe for EUR42,900, the Ampera promises to bring at least the same range and performances of the Volt. And that is only logical, given the fact that the two share basically the same technologies, only wrapped in a slightly different bodywork (the European version looks better, if you are to ask us).
At the heart of the model lies a 111 kW/150 hp electric motor which delivers 370 Newton meters torque right from the very first turn of the wheel. The motor draws its power from a 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery and works in conjunction with a gasoline-fueled engine.
The motor-engine combination pack enough punch to allow the Ampera to reach speeds of 161 km/h and accelerate from naught to sixty in around nine seconds.
The plug-in hybrid can travel some 500 kilometers on a full tank, the first 40 to 80 kilometers doable in electric mode alone.
The Ampera offers four driving modes, Normal, Mountain, Sport and City, each calibrated in such a way that it makes full use of the range capabilities of the motor and battery.
“Unlike a conventional electric vehicle, the Opel Ampera can be the only car you need to own,” said Alain Visser, vice president of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Opel.
“The Ampera delivers it all: revolutionary propulsion, progressive styling, excellent safety, high quality and user-friendly functions, all combined with superb driving dynamics.”