Opel Ampera to Be Priced at 28,000 Euros

Opel Ampera, the German brand's plug-in hybrid which is expected to hit the market in 2012, might be offered with a price tag of 24,500 pounds (approximately 28,000 euros). The news was revealed by Opel’s managing director Hans Demant who also said that the Ampera won't be more expensive than the top of the line Vauxhall Zafira with automatic transmission.

Opel Ampera was officially revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this year and is featuring the same powertrain as Chevrolet's flagship production, the Volt. Furthermore, the Ampera is often referred to as the European flavor for the Volt, sharing most of the features except the design.

The Ampera will rely on the Voltec technology, an electric propulsion system, that is said to provide extended ranges during electric driving and of up to 60 km in full-electric mode. The battery can be easily recharged via a standard 230v outlet.

Opel recently started road testing for the new plug-in hybrid, with a couple of models spotted undergoing heavy tests at the manufacturer's Dudenhofen proving ground.

"The Ampera development cars show that a practical, electric four-seater, with cargo space and the capability to be the first automobile in the household, is not just theory, but a car that will be reality by 2011," Frank Weber, vehicle line executive for Ampera development, said last week.

A prototype of the Ampera will be showcased at the upcoming Frankfurt Show that opens it's doors next week.

autoevolution will be attending the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of these vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions.