Greenest Vauxhall – The Ampera Ever readies Itself For UK Market
Written By Lee Sibbald Published On: Mar 04 2009
British maker Vauxhall has confirmed that it will get the revolutionary electric Ampera. The show car is styled as a coupe and can seat four adults with two in the front and two in the rear. According to Vauxhall the Ampera when launched will accommodate seating for five adults.
The Ampera’s wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to around 40-miles, it runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits zero CO2.
Frank Weber, GM global vehicle line executive and chief engineer beamed with pride at the unveiling of the Vauxhall Ampera said, “Driving electrically is not only about ecology. Driving electrically is also great fun. Instantaneous torque of 370 Newton metres under your right foot feels like being in a sports car, but in almost complete silence."
While driving on electricity delivered by the battery, the Ampera emits zero CO2. When the battery’s energy is depleted, a petrol or E85-fuelled engine-generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This extends the range for about 300 additional miles, until the battery can be charged via a standard household 240V outlet.
The Ampera can be plugged into any household 240V outlet for charging. GM Europe is analysing the requirements of a recharging infrastructure for plug-in electric cars with energy companies, including Iberdrola of Spain, parent company to Scottish Power.
The revolutionary Vauxhall Ampera will be the first electrically driven automobile with zero-emission capability in Europe that’s suitable for everyday driving. With its Voltec electric propulsion system providing lively acceleration and high levels of refinement, the five-door Ampera seats four passengers in comfort, offers a useful boot for their luggage, and features an extended range of more than 300 miles.
The Ampera's battery pack will be manufactured by GM at the first lithium-ion production facility to be operated by a major automaker in the United States. More than 220 lithium-ion cells in the T-shaped pack provide ample power. The nearly silent electric drive unit delivers 370 Nm of instant torque, the equivalent of 150bhp, zero to 60mph acceleration in around nine seconds, and a top speed of 100mph.
The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most customers. For example, research by GM in Europe showed that approximately 80 percent of drivers travel less than 30 miles daily. Based on current fuel prices, Vauxhall predicts that the Ampera will cost roughly one-fifth of the current cost per mile of an equivalent petrol engined car. UK sales will start in 2012 with prices to be confirmed at a later date.
Simon McBride
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