Left-Hand Drive Opel Ampera Due in 2011

Ampera is one of the most awaited projects to bear the Opel badge as this particular extended-range electric vehicle is expected to bring the German brand back in the auto sector's elite. The left-hand drive version of the car will be introduced in Europe in late 2011 while the right-hand drive version, to be sold by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom, will enter production in early 2012, GM's director of European vehicle electric implementation, Gherardo Corsini, told just-auto.com.

"We are on course for the final testing and validation of prototypes to take place in 2010," Corsini said.

Opel Ampera is often referred to as the European counterpart of Chevrolet Volt, as it incorporates almost the same technology but under a different design. The car provides an autonomy of 40 km but can be easily recharged by the available 1.4-liter unit. However, as compared to similar models, the gasoline unit does not provide power to the wheels and is only used to recharge the electric motor.

"This is an exciting and innovative solution in providing mobility for the future," Gherardo added.

"And we are taking electric vehicle mobility beyond the niche to offer it in a full-size four-door sedan rather than simply a city car - we can achieve that in our package because the extended range offered in the package we have developed provides an attractive mobility solution at lower cost [per distance traveled] and better performance than a pure electric vehicle can."

Pricing for the Ampera remains unknown for the time being, as the company will initially test the market with a limited run. However, some voices are hinting that a 40,000 euro price tag is a very likely scenario.