The revolutionary Opel Ampera 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 Opel 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 Opel 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 Opel Ampera,” said Alain Visser, GME Vice President Opel. The Opel 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 Opel 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.The revolutionary Opel Ampera will be the first emission-free, electrically driven automobile in Europe suitable for everyday driving. With its Voltec electric propulsion system providing lively acceleration and high levels of refinement, the five-door Opel Ampera seats four passengers in comfort, offers a useful trunk for their luggage, and features an extended range of more than 500 kilometers. “Driving electrically is not only about ecology,” said global vehicle line executive and chief engineer, Frank Weber. “Driving electrically is also great fun. Instantaneous, silent torque of 370 Newton meters under your right foot feels like flying!”
2011 Opel Ampera road test
