Opel To Reveal Ampera Electric Car At Geneva Motor Show

Opel Ampera to feature innovative GM Voltec technology

Opel has announced Ampera as the name of its revolutionary extended-range electric car. The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera will be revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5-15).

'With the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometers of non-stop electric driving,' said Alain Visser, GM Europe Chief Marketing Officer.

GM's ground-breaking electric propulsion technology, called Voltec, operates differently from other advanced propulsion systems. For short trips up to 60 km, the Ampera will run only on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard 230v outlet. For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by a small internal combustion engine.

The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 km daily.

Additional information on the Opel Ampera will be released March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show.

by Opel

Electrifying Ampera Combines Opel Looks in Efficient Hatchback

• Influenced by Opel's design theme of sculptural artistry with German precision

• Sleek aerodynamics support emission-free driving

• Offers the comfort and accoutrements expected in a 21st century car

GM's design team has created a practical, efficient electric car that builds on Opel's award-winning design direction. The Opel Ampera offers optimal passenger space, futuristic equipment features in an aerodynamic, premium design.

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

Sculptural artistry gives Ampera its dynamic exterior

The Ampera's exterior design takes up cues from the Opel 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. The new, bold Opel logo emblazes the front grill and the chrome bar across the back.

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.

Maximum efficiency through optimal aerodynamics

Aerodynamics, too, play a particularly important role in maximizing driving range. GM engineers and designers worked together to optimize 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.

All amenities of an upscale hatchback combined with the latest technology

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

The doors' décor picks up on the car's electric nature through the use of iconic themes. With an integrated shifter, two information displays and touch-sensitive infotainment center, the Ampera delivers an all-electrical user experience.

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

by Opel

Geneva World Premiere: Opel Ampera to Debut in 2011

Electric car with 500 km extended range

The revolutionary Opel Ampera today celebrated its world premiere at the 79th Geneva Motor Show. General Motors Europe president, Carl-Peter Forster, unveiled the extended-range electric vehicle and announced plans to put the car into production in late 2011.

The Ampera will also be offered with right-hand drive in the United Kingdom by Opel's sister-brand, Vauxhall.

'The Opel 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 is influenced by Opel's award-winning design language of sculptural artistry meets German precision, incorporating several styling cues from the innovative Flextreme and GTC Concept show cars

'There could not be a more fitting way to celebrate Opel's 110 years of innovation in the car industry than by revealing the Ampera,' said Alain Visser, GME Vice President Opel.

The Ampera's wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to 60 km (MVEG), 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 an engine-generator extends the Ampera's range to more than 500 km.

The Ampera can be plugged into any household 230v outlet for charging. GM Europe is analyzing the requirements of a recharging infrastructure for plug-in electric cars with energy companies, including Iberdrola of Spain.

by Opel

Ampera Gets Power and Refinement from Voltec Propulsion System

Extended-range of more than 500 km relieves 'range anxiety'

The revolutionary Opel Ampera will be the first emission-free, electrically driven automobile in Europe 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 trunk for their luggage, and features an extended range of more than 500 kilometers.

'Driving electrically is not only about ecology,' said global vehicle line executive and chief engineer, Frank Weber. 'Driving electrically is also great fun. Instantaneous, silent torque of 370 Newton meters under your right foot feels like flying!'

Electricity drives the Ampera's wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 60 km (MVEG), power is supplied by the electricity stored in the cutting-edge, 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery.

While driving on electricity delivered by the battery, the Ampera emits zero CO2. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-fueled engine-generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range to 500 kilometers, until the battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household 230v outlet.

Ampera gives driver confidence and peace of mind

Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Ampera eliminates 'range anxiety,' giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

'An advanced lithium-ion battery system is the key to getting the Ampera into the hands of consumers', said Hans Demant, GME's vice president of engineering. 'The engineers at our research and development center in Mainz-Kastel, Germany are testing the battery around the clock, 365 days a year to ensure that it meets the expectations of our customers.'

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 150 horsepower, zero to 100 km/h acceleration in around nine seconds, and a top speed of 161 km/h.

The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 km daily.

Opel estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in the Ampera will cost about one-fifth compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle, at current fuel prices.

by Opel

Opel Ampera to head GM's environmentally friendly vehicle offensive

Geneva Motor Show: Company remains focused on high quality, attractive brands

Geneva. With the premiere of the Opel Ampera, General Motors Europe presented today at the Geneva Motor Show its line-up of products poised to move the company forward in these tough economic times.

'The Ampera is a new category of car that closes the gap between hybrids and battery electric vehicles,' said Carl-Peter Forster, President of GM Europe at the GM press conference. '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.'

For journeys up to 60 km, the five-door, four-seat hatchback runs on electricity stored in a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery and emits zero CO2. When the battery's energy is depleted, electricity from an on-board engine-generator extends the Ampera's range to more than 500 kilometers. When it arrives in dealerships in 2011, the Ampera will be the first extended-range electric car in Europe.

While concentrating on measures to right-size the business, GM remains focused now on providing high quality, attractive brands and leading technologies especially in the field of environmental compatibility, Forster added.

For example, under Opel's ecoFLEX roof, the brand houses a range of low emission, fun-to-drive cars, like the new Opel Insignia ecoFLEX, which features a 2.0-liter CDTI turbo diesel engine that produces 160 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. This car is among the leaders in the mid-size sedan segment with emissions of less than 140 g/km of CO2.

The Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTI gives 75 horsepower and emits only 109 g/km CO2. The Opel Astra 1.7 CDTI with 119 g/km CO2. offers ten percent lower consumption yet has 22 percent higher output than the previous engine. The Zafira CNG Turbo combines clean Compressed Natural Gas with a turbo kick, giving this family van 150 horsepower, a top speed of 200 km/h and emissions of 144 g/km of CO2.

World Premiere of the Chevrolet Spark

Also premiering in Geneva, Chevrolet's mini-car, the Spark, features a new 1.2 liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with fuel consumption below 5 liters per 100 km and less than 120g of CO2 emission. Production of the Spark starts in October, with the first cars on European roads in early 2010.

Chevrolet now offers across its entire range cars powered by Liquefied Petroleum Gas – a fuel that offers a cost-effective, cleaner alternative to petrol or diesel. At around 60 euro cents per litre, LPG costs about half that of gasoline – with no impact to performance – and a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions over a petrol engine.

Saab provides first view of 9-3X, enunciates Eco-Power Technology

Saab's latest entry onto the world market is the 9-3X, a versatile sport wagon equipped to handle rough terrain with a raised ride height and sure-footed grip, combining for the first time Saab's cutting edge XWD system with E85 alternative fuel.

The 9-3X and new diesel models with lower CO2 offered on the 9-3 are the latest moves Saab has taken to enunciate its Eco-Power Technology strategy, which embraces turbocharging, engine rightsizing, Saab BioPower, aerodynamic performance and weight reduction.

European premiere of the Cadillac SRX

Also on the luxury end of the GM portfolio, Cadillac presents the European premiere of the Cadillac SRX crossover featuring improved efficiency, maximum safety and a design that is dynamic and expresses power. With the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, GM has developed the world's first hybrid luxury SUV, powered by the brand's innovative 2-Mode Hybrid system, developed in collaboration with other premium manufacturers, led by GM. It delivers over 40 percent better fuel economy in city driving, with no sacrifices to performance.

by GM

by Opel

Opel Ampera development cars: Testing keeps production on target

Visitors at the IAA in Frankfurt have the opportunity until Sept. 27 to view the Opel Ampera. The car manufacturer presents at its stand in Halle 8 the new electric family car that is practical for everyday use.

•Extended-range electric development cars in testing

•Electrically-driven family car practical for everyday use

•Production on target for 2011

Frankfurt/Rüsselsheim. Visitors to the Frankfurt Motor Show will have a chance to view the Opel Ampera, a game-changing electric family car that is practical for everyday use without range-anxiety.

Only weeks before the IAA, Opel has begun testing two development cars of the Ampera extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) on its Dudenhofen proving ground, keeping the revolutionary four-seater on schedule for a late 2011 production date.

Engineers have installed the Ampera's revolutionary Voltec electric propulsion system – including the battery, motor, engine and electric-generator – inside the body of an existing production car. They call this kind of a development car a mule because, like their name-sake animals, the mules are a mixture of two species. Mule cars help engineers test technology at an early stage of vehicle development.

Specifically, engineers in Rüsselsheim are testing the Voltec system's performance and the overall driving impression. In addition, engineers in Mainz-Kastel have developed and are further testing the lithium-ion battery.

'The Ampera development cars show that a practical, electric four-seater with cargo space and the capability to be the first automobile in the household, is not just theory, but a car that will be reality by 2011,' says Frank Weber, Vehicle Line Executive for Ampera development.

Development evolves through three stages

The Ampera testing is being developed in three distinct phases. The first stage involves engineering development vehicles, which are used to analyze the behaviour of specific subsystems and get them to work together. These are not complete vehicle tests but work to prove individual subsystems.

In the next phase, integration cars are built with all of the systems coming together. They contain a lot of hand-built parts, but are 'design intent.' In the final stage cars look and operate almost exactly the same as the production cars. This phase brings everything together. All the final aero- and wind tunnel work is done during this stage, which is the last phase before production.

Opel Ampera – electric drive for use any day of the week

The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera uses the ground-breaking electric propulsion technology called Voltec which operates differently from other advanced propulsion systems, like a hybrid. The Voltec electric propulsion system uses electricity as its primary power source. A gasoline engine-generator as a secondary power source generates electricity when the battery is depleted to ensure a seamless and continuous drive.

The Ampera's wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to 60 km (MVEG), the Ampera runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits neither greenhouse gases nor other harmful emissions. The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving habits of European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 km a day.

Ampera gives driver confidence and peace of mind

Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Ampera eliminates 'range anxiety,' giving the confidence and peace of mind that a depleted battery will not strand the driver.

When the battery's energy is low, electricity from an on-board engine-generator extends the Ampera's range to more than 500 km. A gasoline/E85-fueled engine-generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range to 500 kilometers until the battery can be re-charged by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household 230v outlet.

'An advanced lithium-ion battery system is the key to getting the Ampera into the hands of consumers', said Hans Demant, GME's Vice President of Engineering. 'The engineers at our research and development center in Mainz-Kastel, Germany are testing the battery around the clock, 365 days a year to ensure that it meets the expectations of our customers.'

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 150 hp, zero to 100 km/h acceleration in around nine seconds, and a top speed of 161 km/h.

Opel estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in the Ampera will cost about one-fifth compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle at current fuel prices.

The Ampera can be plugged into any household 230v outlet and re-charged in about three hours. Opel is analyzing the requirements for standardization and a recharging infrastructure for plug-in electric cars with energy companies, including Iberdrola of Spain.

by Opel