Vauxhall's eco concept

Teaser image previews new Ampera-based electric car set for Geneva Motor Show debut

THE Ampera has a big future ahead of it! Vauxhall has released this cryptic teaser shot ahead of the Geneva Motor Show, along with a handful of details of what will be on display.

Topping the bill will be an all-new concept that illustrates the firm’s claim that “size and comfort do not need to be sacrificed for a vehicle to be environmentally efficient” - suggesting it will take the form of a luxury four-door coupe or even an SUV. What it won't be is an MPV, insiders say.

The concept will feature the same Voltec plug-in hybrid powertrain as the Ampera - which uses electricity as its primary power source supplemented by a small petrol engine for charging the batteries. More will be revealed closer to the car’s official unveiling.

Also on the stand in Geneva will be the revised Corsa range, which gets a mid-life makeover and a new line-up of economical engines. In fact, every new Corsa bar the VXR model will exceed 50mpg when fitted with a manual gearbox. The latest ecoFLEX is the star of the range though - not only does it gain 20bhp but achieves a combined economy of 76.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 98g/km.