GM is set to unveil two more versions of the Volt at the Geneva Motor Show. In Europe the Volt will be called the Ampera and sold under the Opel and Vauxhall brands.
The Ampera is essentially the same thing as the Chevy Volt although with a bit more style on the front and rear of the car.
The Ampera will enter production in late 2011.
PRESS RELEASE:
Geneva World Premiere: Opel Ampera to Debut in 2011
March 2, 2009
Electric car with 500 km extended range
Geneva/Rüsselsheim. The revolutionary Opel Ampera today celebrated its world premiere at the 79th Geneva Motor Show. General Motors Europe president, Carl-Peter Forster, unveiled the extended-range electric vehicle and announced plans to put the car into production in late 2011.
The Ampera will also be offered with right-hand drive in the United Kingdom by Opel's sister-brand, Vauxhall.
"The Opel Ampera further demonstrates GM's leadership in the electrification of the automobile," said Carl-Peter Forster. "Its ground-breaking Voltec electric propulsion system is the kind of game-changing technology the automotive industry needs to respond to energy and environmental challenges."
The five-door, four-seat Ampera is influenced by Opel's award-winning design language of sculptural artistry meets German precision, incorporating several styling cues from the innovative Flextreme and GTC Concept show cars
"There could not be a more fitting way to celebrate Opel's 110 years of innovation in the car industry than by revealing the Ampera," said Alain Visser, GME Vice President Opel.
The Ampera's wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to 60 km (MVEG), it runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits zero CO2. When the battery's energy is depleted, electricity from an engine-generator extends the Ampera's range to more than 500 km.
The Ampera can be plugged into any household 230v outlet for charging. GM Europe is analyzing the requirements of a recharging infrastructure for plug-in electric cars with energy companies, including Iberdrola of Spain.
| « Previous | Next » |
Comments (12)
Definitely more futuristic / radical looking than the Volt...maybe too much so.
Posted by Noya | March 3, 2009 12:41 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 00:41
I like it, alot better than the volt.
The only thing that I would want to see in person is that black strip under the windows, and how tall the trunk/rear end is. I hate the whole cab forward, stadium seating (Dodge...), the car's trunk is now up to my chin look.
Posted by Brian | March 3, 2009 6:14 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 06:14
I don't dig. Styling looks tacked on. Front bumper/grill looks out of place with the rest of the car. Black border/trim under the window strikes me as an overlay, just waiting to fall off, and only adding weight while still attached.
Would have been better to just re-badge it.
Posted by kw | March 3, 2009 7:09 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 07:09
It looks like they let a 3 year old go crazy in photoshop with a picture of the Volt. A little too edgy for my liking.
Posted by Gary | March 3, 2009 8:22 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 08:22
An automatic?
That won't stand a chance in Europe.
Posted by Dan M | March 3, 2009 9:50 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 09:50
I like the front (though it could get old), but the rear is terrible. I also dislike the black below the windows.
Posted by gm0n3y | March 3, 2009 11:31 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 11:31
@Dan M
"An automatic?
That won't stand a chance in Euope."
Last time I checked, electric vehicles only need one gear setting.
Posted by 426Hemi | March 3, 2009 12:51 PM
Posted on March 3, 2009 12:51
Sorry, three gear settings. DRIVE, NEUTRAL and, REVERSE.
Posted by 426Hemi | March 3, 2009 2:54 PM
Posted on March 3, 2009 14:54
another VERSION OF THE acura TL....
Posted by wayne | March 4, 2009 9:24 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 09:24
@426hemi
Doesn't the Tesla have 2 forward gears?
Posted by gm0n3y | March 4, 2009 11:28 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 11:28
It originally did, but that gearbox had problems. So owners of that one just used a single forward gear, and I think the new ones only have a single gear.
Posted by kw | March 4, 2009 11:49 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 11:49
Not bad looking. Style is a little over the top, yet at the same time the look definitely does say "Look at me, I'm an ELECTRIC car". I guess this is either better than a bland looking sedan, or not, depending on your opinion of whether or not electric cars should look different than regular cars.
Posted by Old Rasputin | March 4, 2009 1:23 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 13:23