automotive: Opel

Showing posts with label Opel. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

2011 New Opel Ampera

The five-door, four-seat Opel 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.

The Opel 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 Opel 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.

Opel Ampera Gets Power and Refinement from Voltec Propulsion System

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 Opel 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 Opel 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 Opel 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.

Opel Ampera gives driver confidence and peace of mind

Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Opel 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 Opel 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 Opel 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 Opel 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 Opel Ampera will cost about one-fifth compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle, at current fuel prices.

Technical Specifications

* Vehicle type: 5-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback
* Category: Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV)
* Chassis: independent McPherson struts front, compound crank twist axle rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximize energy capture, electric power-assist steering
* Seating capacity: four
* Performance
o Top speed: 161 km/h
o EV range: 60 km (MVEG cycle)
o Total range: >500 km
* Dimensions
o Wheelbase: 2685 mm
o Length: 4404 mm
o Width: 1798 mm
o Height: 1430 mm
o Cargo volume: 301 l
* Battery system
o Type: lithium-ion
o Energy: 16 kWh
* Electric drive unit
o Power: 150 hp (111 kW)
o Torque: 370 Nm
* Exterior
o Tire and wheel size: specially developed low rolling-resistance tires on 17-inch forged aluminum wheels

Sunday, November 14, 2010

New Opel Ampera pricing announced (EU)

Opel has released prices for the Ampera plug-in EV, which starts at €42,900 (£36,000/$51,000) when it goes on sale in Winter 2011. That’s considerably more than the Chevrolet Volt which starts from $41,000 in the U.S.

While that certainly sounds expensive, German prices start at €36,050, which indicates overall prices will be bespoke to each European country. Though, Vauxhall persist that it would "announce its own price" for the Ampera before the end of this year, a sign that British buyers could pay less, even before the UK Government's £5,000 eco-vehicle grant is taken into consideration.

Like the Chevrolet Volt, Ampera features a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 1.4T petrol engine which controls an electric motor that kicks out 150bhp (152PS) and 370Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque. On electric power alone, the car can travel 25 – 50 miles (40 - 80km). When the electricity is in short supply, the 1.4 litre turbo-charged petrol engine recharges it while at the same time, providing power to the electric motor.

Order books are open now, however, potential customer can click here.

Press Release:

Opel Ampera - Revolutionary Electric Car Starts at 42,900 euros

•Environmentally Friendly: Family car drives 40 - 80 km electrically

•Freedom: Battery re-charges in three hours; endless e-driving possible

•No Anxiety: Range can be extended to more than 500 km when needed

•Spacious: Five-door car seats four and has ample trunk space

•Dynamic: Nearly silent torque feels like flying

•Reservations now being taken

Rüsselsheim. Electric mobility begins now: Starting today, Opel will begin taking reservations for the 2011 Ampera, Europe's first electric vehicle that also features extended-range capability.

Electric mobility is the best solution for reducing automobile emissions and dependency on petroleum but if electric vehicles are to have a significant benefit on the environment and society, they must be attractive to a wide variety of buyers, not just city dwellers. Now this ambitious goal has become considerably easier to reach - with the revolutionary Ampera electric car.

The majority of drivers will find an electric car, such as the Ampera, remarkably easy to accept. That is because in addition to a powerful, 16 kWh lithium-ion battery, it has a unique electric propulsion system that extends its driving range. While providing all the benefits of state-of-the-art battery electric vehicles, such as zero tailpipe emissions and spirited performance, the innovative Ampera is not compromised by the typical disadvantages, such as limited range or long hours of immobility spent recharging a large battery.

That makes the five-door, four-seat Ampera the first electric car in Europe to give owners the freedom to drive wherever, whenever they want, with no worries of being stranded with a depleted battery. The manufacturer's suggested retail price throughout Europe for the base model starts at 42,900 euros, including national VAT. In Germany, with 19 percent VAT, the Ampera net price is 36,050 euros. Because trim levels will differ from market to market, prices in each country may differ. Customers wishing to reserve an Ampera can register at www.opel-ampera.com and become an ‘ePioneer', receiving exclusive news and a chance to test drive the electric car. In addition, they will be among the first to have the opportunity to own Europe's first practical, family electric car. Sales start in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Some competitors choose to split their offers for electric cars into two portions: a base price for the car and a leasing rate for the battery pack. This does make the price appear attractive because the battery leasing rate is not highlighted. However, battery leases are paid monthly for several years, so the total cost is roughly the same as a car whose total price includes both the car and the battery. Opel's pricing scheme eliminates confusion by listing the total cost of the car and battery. Opel is also researching customer preferences regarding financing and leasing schemes for the Ampera. The company will announce these options later.

"The Ampera defines a new class of e-mobility. No other electric vehicle provides the freedom of individual transportation as the Opel Ampera," said Alain Visser, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Opel. "We have compromised on nothing. The Ampera is a beautiful car that is as fun to drive as it is packed with premium content."

Reliable battery not disturbed by inclement weather:

The Ampera is an electric vehicle that can operate in a wide range of weather climates. It is powered by electricity at all times and speeds. For the first 40 - 80 km, power is supplied by the electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. While driving on electricity delivered by the battery, the Ampera drives free of gas- and tailpipe-emissions.

Independent research found that about 80 percent of Europeans drive less than 60 kilometers per day, so the Ampera would meet their requirements. When the Ampera's battery runs low, the battery can be recharged in about three hours at 230v by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard outlet. Because the battery can be re-charged quickly, most Amperas are likely to be driven in battery mode nearly all the time.

If a longer trip is required, the gasoline-fueled engine/generator can seamlessly extend the total driving range to more than 500 kilometers on a full tank. This range-extending technology means the Ampera is suitable for worry-free daily use by the whole family.

If electric vehicles are to have a significant benefit on the environment, they must be sold in high volume. Electric cars like the Ampera - with extended range capability - are the quickest way to reach this goal because they require few adjustments in lifestyle.

Beautiful design - clearly an Opel:

The Ampera carries the DNA of Opel's new design language - a prominent grille, bold Opel badge and daring boomerang headlamps. Every element of the Ampera was designed and analyzed for efficiency, making the Ampera one of the most aerodynamic and energy-efficient vehicles in the market.

Inside, the Ampera is packed with the premium content fitting for a ground-breaking vehicle. From Bose speakers to touch-screen monitors, this car brings mobility to the 21st century.

The Ampera already has won high accolades from specialists throughout the continent. Awards from authoritative magazines and websites include Greenest Car of the Year by www.whatcar.co.uk, innovation trophy from L'Automobile Magazine in France and best electric car by Auto Swiat in Poland.