|
The
revolutionary Ampera celebrated its world premiere at the 79th Geneva
Motor Show. General Motors Europe president, Carl-Peter Forster,
announced that a right-hand drive Vauxhall Ampera would go into
production in 2012.
“The
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 Ampera features Vauxhall’s new design language,
first introduced on the 2009 European Car of The Year award-winning
Insignia, incorporating several styling cues from the innovative
Flextreme and GTC Concept show cars.
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.
When the battery’s energy is depleted, electricity from the on-board
engine-generator extends the Ampera’s range to more than 300 miles.
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. |
