Vauxhall stunner charges in

04th February 2009

First up is the Ampera – an all-new concept designed to lead the British manufacturer’s charge into the electric car market. It’s tipped to line up alongside the forthcoming flagship Insignia, the VXR, which we reveal for the first time in our spy shot.

Official details are still scarce – the only picture of the Ampera is this Opel-badged example – but Auto Express has learned that it’s powered by GM’s groundbreaking electric propulsion technology, called Voltec. The drivetrain debuted in the advanced Chevrolet Volt, and uses an advanced lithium-ion battery.

This alone can power the Ampera for short trips of less than 30 miles, after which it can be charged via a regular electricity socket.

For longer distances, the car will continue to drive using its battery, but will supplement its energy supply with power generated by a small internal combustion engine.

There’s no official confirmation of when the Ampera will go on sale yet, but it’s likely to hit the road as early as 2011, and could be built alongside the new Astra.

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