Vauxhall Ampera confirmed for UK market

The revolutionary Ampera today 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.