Vauxhall Ampera Steps Into Pre-Production Phase

Last Friday the first pre-production model of the Opel/Vauxhall Amprea electric Sedan rolled off the line at GM’s Pre-Production Operations’ assembly line in Warren, Michigan. That means the car is almost ready for mass production, after they fully developed a few more things and did some other tests, such as the final vehicle software and controls, fine tuning the vehicles’ driving characteristics, and performing safety and structural integrity testing!

“We’re right on target for producing the Ampera for European markets later next year,” said Andrew Farah, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Ampera. “There’s still work to be done, but being able to drive an Ampera off our pre-production line is a great accomplishment for the teams here and in Europe.”

The Ampera, which is the European version of Chevy Volt, is powered by electric motors and also comes with a gasoline engine which only acts as an electricity generator to fill up the batteries. On a full charge, the car can cover a distance of only 30 miles, but when the generator kicks in, the range is extended to 300 miles. It’s a plug-in electric powertrain and that means you can also charge it via power outlets at your home.

Vauxhall has plans to put the Ampera on sale in Britain by 2012.

Vauxhall Ampera road-trip

Spy shots show hybrid ahead of 370-mile road trip to Geneva

Vauxhall's Ampera is taking the scenic route to Geneva! First unveiled in concept form at last year's Geneva Motor Show, these pictures show the petrol-electric hybrid in training for its grand entrance in Switzerland this year.

Vauxhall bosses will drive a prototype model of the car from their headquarters in Russelheilm, Germany to Geneva just in time for it to take its place on the Vauxhall stand.

The Ampera uses a hybrid set-up that means it is driven by the 150bhp electric motor at all times. When the battery runs out of charge- after around 40 miles- a 1.4-litre petrol engine kicks in to act as a generator and recharge the battery.

All this means that the 370-mile journey from Germany can be completed while producing around 40g/km of CO2 and managing 176mpg economy.

These pictures are also the first that show a production prototype Ampera out in the open and, thankfully, the original concept's brave design has not been dulled down. There's a few mild tweaks to the nose and rear bumper but the futuristic looks are mostly intact.

Bosses revealed that the Ampera is scheduled to begin production at the end of 2011. When it goes on sale early in 2012 it's expected to cost around £30,000.

Electrifying Looks — The Vauxhall Ampera

Electrifying Looks — The Vauxhall Ampera.

New Vauxhall Ampera features stunning design

Sleek aerodynamics support emission-free driving

Offers the comfort and luxury expected of a 21st century car


Geneva: GM's design team has created a practical, efficient electric car that builds on Vauxhall's award-winning design direction, which led in part to the Insignia's European Car of the Year success. The Ampera offers excellent passenger space and futuristic equipment features in an aerodynamic, premium design package.

"The Vauxhall Ampera shows all the opportunities advanced propulsion technologies offer for car design," said Phil Zak, Director, Exterior Design at GM Europe. "We had to maximize the aerodynamic efficiency but still offer ultimate everyday driving comfort. All of that is presented in an upscale, sporty look that builds on Vauxhall's theme of sculptural forms and expressive lines."

The Ampera's exterior design takes up cues from the Flextreme and GTC Concept show cars. For example, it features dramatic, boomerang-like headlights that seamlessly integrate with the lower fog lights. The car has a dynamic, almost aggressive low stance seen most prominently in the front and tail.

Vertical slots in the outboard edges of the rear bumper not only give the car a low sporty look but also play a key role in creating a clean separation feature for the air, supporting the highly efficient aerodynamic performance. Its unique Pearl White Diamond color with matching rocker panels and rear bumper underline the dynamic appeal of the car.

Aerodynamics, too, play a particularly important role in maximising driving range. GM engineers and designers worked together to optimise the air flow around the front fascia and outside mirrors of the Ampera. Significant attention was also given to the rear with a specifically designed spoiler and clean separation features. Lightweight materials were added in the form of clear polycarbonate covers to the front grille and disk inserts on the 17-inch, five-spoke sport alloy wheels. These helped to reduce aerodynamic drag in critical airflow areas.


The Ampera offers the space, comfort, and convenience features that customers expect in a car with five-doors, four-seats and luggage capacity of 301 liters. The interior features a Jet Black cabin combined with Spice Red accents and Dark Argent Metallic paint on the instrument panel's centre stack.

"On the Ampera we've continued to challenge the norm and have searched for new and exciting color and material combinations," said John Puskar, Director, Interior Design for GM Europe. "To support the car's innovative character we've worked with experimental trims and paints that you will see more of in future Vauxhall models."