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Opel Ampera Production Car to Premiere in Geneva

The upcoming Geneva Auto Show (March 3-13) will witness the world premiere of the Ampera series production model, Opel announced today. Boasting a design that remains very close to that of the early concept cars, the production version of the Opel Ampera is expected to retail for under EUR35,000 ($47,715 at the current exchange rate).

The five-door Ampera seats four passengers, being powered by electricity only. For the first 40 - 80 kilometers (25 - 50 miles), power is supplied by the electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery.

If a longer trip is required, the gasoline-fueled engine/generator can seamlessly extend the total driving range to more than 500 kilometers on a full tank. The 111 kW/150 hp electric motor delivers 370 Nm torque from a standstill. It accelerates the Ampera from zero to 100 km/h in around nine seconds and enables a maximum speed of 161 km/h (100 mph).

When the Ampera’s battery runs low, it can be recharged in about four hours at 230V by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard outlet.

“Because the battery can be recharged quickly, most Amperas are likely to be driven in battery mode all the time,” a company statement reads. “Independent research found that about 80 percent of Europeans drive less than 60 kilometers per day, so the Ampera would easily meet their requirements. This range-extending technology makes the Ampera the first practical car with worry-free electric driving.”

First deliveries will be made before the end of this year.

autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.
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