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Opel Ampera

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See also: Chevrolet Volt
Opel Ampera
Overview
ManufacturerOpel
Also calledChevrolet Volt
Holden Volt
Vauxhall Ampera
Production2011-present
AssemblyDetroit, Michigan, United States
(General Motors)
DesignerMalcom Ward
Body and chassis
ClassCompact car
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformDelta II/Voltec
Powertrain
Engine1.4 L 4-cylinder
Electric motorOne 111 kW (149 hp): One 55 kW (74 hp) permanent magnet motor/generators
TransmissionSingle gear
Hybrid drivetrain4ET50 electric drive unit
Battery16 kWh lithium-ion battery
Range379 miles (610 km) (EPA)
Electric range35 miles (56 km) (EPA)
25 to 50 miles (40 to 80 km) (GM)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,685 mm (105.7 in)
Length4,498 mm (177.1 in)
Width1,787 mm (70.4 in)
Height1,439 mm (56.7 in)
Curb weight1,732 kg (3,818 lb)
Opel Ampera rear view.

The Opel Ampera is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from the German automaker Opel.

Customer deliveries of the Opel Ampera were delayed in Europe until the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) completes its investigation of the Volt's battery fire risk after test crashes.

Performance

Range

The Opel Ampera official all-electric range under the EU-approved UN ECE R101 standard for plug-in hybrids is 83 km (52 mi). Opel prefers to state that the Ampera's EV ranges is 40 to 80 kilometres (25 to 50 mi).[1]

Fuel economy

The Opel Ampera official equivalent fuel consumption under the EU-approved UN ECE R101 standard for plug-in hybrids is 1.2 L/100 km (196.0 mpg‑US) (83 km/l).[2] However, a leading Opel engineer prefers saying 169 Wh/km while battery-powered, and then 20 km/l petrol-powered. The ECE R101 standard weights charge-depleting mode as 76% and gasoline-only driving as 24%.[1]

Tailpipe emissions

The Ampera's official EU-approved UN ECE R101 carbon dioxide emission rating is 27g/km.[2]

Markets

It was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2009[3] and also was exhibited at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.[4] Opel developed the battery control modules for the Ampera at the GM Alternative Propulsion Center Europe in Mainz-Kastel, Germany.[5] The production version of the Ampera was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.[6] The main differences between the Volt and the Ampera are in their styling. The Ampera has a distinctive front and rear fascia, with a large cut-out in the rear bumper. The Opel Ampera features more stylized alloy wheels as standard, and the side skirts are body-colored rather than black plastic. In the inside there are only minor differences and both versions share the same exact powertrain and battery pack.[7] A key operational difference is that the Ampera will have four drive modes, one more than the Volt. The additional option is "City Mode", which adapts battery management to the needs of commuter travel. City mode or "battery hold" engages the range-extender immediately, allowing to save the energy currently stored in the battery, and when switched off, the range-extender stops and the Ampera is then able to use the energy saved in the battery for pure electric driving, for example for traveling urban areas or restricted zones, such as the European low emission zones or to allow the Ampera to qualify for an exemption of the London congestion charge.[6][7][8]

The Opel Ampera will benefit from several subsidies and tax breaks available for plug-in electric vehicles in several European countries.[9][10] According to Opel, as of June 2011 around 5,000 customers across Europe have reserved an Ampera, with 3,000 reservations from corporate customers.[11] The Ampera is assembled at the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant, Michigan. For 2012 General Motors plans to manufacture 10,000 Amperas for sale in Europe, 6,000 destined for Opel and 4,000 for Vauxhall in the UK. The carmaker will target the Ampera for business fleet market and local government agencies, where Opel has a strong customer base. Deliveries of the Opel Ampera to dealerships began in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland in December 2011. Deliveries were scheduled to begin by late 2011, but Opel decided to delay customer deliveries until the NHTSA completes its investigation of the Volt's battery fire risk after a crash.[12] Deliveries of the Vauxhall Ampera in the UK continue as originally scheduled for May 2012.[12]

Europe

In February 2011 Opel announced that the Ampera will be offered for a uniform price throughout the Eurozone at €42,900 (US$58,000 in February 2011) including VAT, but prices by country may vary due to the trim levels that will be offered in each market.[6][13]

United Kingdom

A right-hand drive version for the UK is planned for the second quarter of 2012 under the name Vauxhall Ampera, and pricing starts at £33,995 (US$54,770 in July 2011) before discounting the £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant.

Reception

Awards

The Ampera has received awards from multiple organizations:

  • 2012 Car of the Year in Denmark. In October 2011, 18 Danish motor journalists chose the Opel Ampera as "Car of the Year 2012" by a wide margin, despite being more expensive than the family cars the award usually goes to.[14][15]

Reviews

The following tables summarize the results of long-term tests reported by specialized media.

Summary of the Ampera's all-electric range and fuel economy results
published by the specialized press and industry analysts
Reviewer Driving
condition		 All-electric
range		 Fuel economy
Gasoline only		 Fuel economy
EV mode
(MPG-e)		 Comments
ADAC Motorwelt[16] City streets 40 km (25 mi)
–80 km (50 mi)		 4.0 L/100 km (59 mpg‑US) n.a Test results for Opel Ampera E-REV ePioneer Edition

Electric range ratings combined city, countryside and highway
depending on driving style; average electric consumption 17.4 kWh/100 km (28.1 kWh/100 mi)

Country roads 5.5 L/100 km (43 mpg‑US) n.a.
Highway only 5.6 L/100 km (42 mpg‑US) n.a

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Torben Arent (2011-09-27). "Opels miljøbil klar: 83 km/l" (in Danish). United Car Owners. Retrieved 2011-10-18. Title translation: Opel's eco-car ready: 83 km / l
  2. ^ a b Kurt Hedevang (2011-09-28). "Opel Ampera below 600,000 DKK" (in Danish). Consumer Online. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  3. ^ "European Volt makes official debut as the new Opel Ampera". Motor Authority. 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  4. ^ "The Ultimate Posting on Plug-In Hybrid Developments: Clip & Save". Calcars.org. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  5. ^ "AUTOStraßenverkehr". Autostrassenverkehr.de. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  6. ^ a b c "Opel to introduce production version of Opel Ampera in Geneva". Green Car Congress. 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  7. ^ a b Antony Ingram (2011-03-04). "Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera: What Are The Differences?". AllCarsElectric.com. Retrieved 2011-05-20.
  8. ^ Sebastian Blanco (2011-05-20). "Bibendum 2011: Opel Ampera not only looks better than the Chevy Volt, it can do more, too". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  9. ^ "Growing Number of EU Countries Levying CO2 Taxes on Cars and Incentivizing Plug-ins". Green Car Congress. 2010-04-21. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  10. ^ "An Increasing Number of Member States Levy CO2-Based Taxation or Incentivise Electric Vehicles". European Automobile Manufacturers Association. 2010-04-21. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  11. ^ Opel (2011-07-08). "Report: Is the 2011 Opel Ampera sold out?". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved 2011-07-10. See Opel press release.
  12. ^ a b David Jolley (2011-12-12). "Opel delays Ampera deliveries to customers on battery worries". Automotive News Europe. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  13. ^ "Production Version of Opel Ampera: World Premiere in Geneva". Opel Media (press release). 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
  14. ^ Steen Bachmann (2011-10-12). "Uventet kåring: Opel Ampera er Årets Bil i Danmark 2012". Bil Magasinet (in Danish). Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  15. ^ Sebastian Krausing (2011-10-12). "Årets bil i Danmark 2012 - Opel Ampera". Bilsektionen.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  16. ^ Brieter, Klaus (2012). "Ein Auto mit eigenem Kraftwerk". ADAC Motorwelt (in German) (1): 26–30.
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