2011 Vauxhall Ampera review
New Vauxhall Ampera extended-range electric car
By Ian Lynas, 18th July 2011
The Vauxhall Ampera is the first extended-range electric car and has been described as the most significant development in the automotive world this year. I drove one recently and I agree that the Vauxhall offering is at the cutting edge of most green vehicles.
With a unique Voltec propulsion system, it is the first electric vehicle suitable for everyday use. It offers drivers all the benefits of electric driving but without the associated range anxiety.
New Vauxhall Ampera electric car
The international press launch for the new Vauxhall was in the Netherlands and I managed to drive 65 kilometres purely on electric power and emission free. However, the surprising fact is that you can extend its range to more than 300 miles.
It is electrically driven at all times, a 16kWh lithium-ion battery pack feeds an advanced,150PS electric drive unit which should deliver between 25 and 50 miles of pure electric driving with zero tail pipe emissions. Independent research has been carried out and the results show that this pure battery driving range is sufficient to meet the daily needs of 85 per cent of UK commuters.
For longer journeys the system seamlessly engages a 'range extender', which is a 1.4 litre petrol-fuelled engine/generator which operates at optimum efficiency to generate electricity to power the electric motor, extending the Ampera’s range to over 300 miles.
2011 Vauxhall Ampera
I was surprised at how enjoyable the Ampera is to drive; its electric propulsion system performs very well - 370Nm of torque is available from zero revs. From rest, it will deliver you to 62mph in nine seconds and has a limited top speed of 100mph.
Recharging is simple - you can plug in to a standard 13 amp system and in four hours the battery is fully charged and with the petrol engine in reserve, it means you need never worry about range.
According to Vauxhall, a full charge could cost as little as one pound and owners will also be able to take advantage of lower, off-peak electricity rates by pre-programming the vehicle to start charging overnight when electricity is cheaper.
Vauxhall Ampera interior
With echoes of the 2007 Flextreme and GTC concept cars, the Ampera takes the Vauxhall's design language into the EV segment. It looks significantly better than a lot of cars in this segment, with its low and wide stance, boomerang headlamps and prominent grille.
The interior is modern to the point of being futuristic; two high-definition colour displays and touch-screen functionality replace conventional instrument panel dials and controls. The driver interface combines stylish execution with innovative functionality. You also get all of the space, comfort, and convenience you would expect from a premium compact car: five-door flexibility, comfortable accommodation for four adults, and a load carrying capacity of more than 300 litres. Fold the rear seats and you can extend this to over 1,000 litres.
Handling and roadholding are perfectly acceptable; based on Vauxhall‘s delta platform from the new Astra, the chassis employs MacPherson struts at the front and semi-independent suspension by compound crank at the rear, which aids lower weight, control and space efficiency.
2011 Vauxhall Ampera
The rack-mounted, electric power-steering system has dual pinions, one for steering and the other to add assistance. The advanced friction brake blending system maximises regenerative braking through the electric motor which recharges the battery and also engages the friction brakes when more braking pressure is required.
The Vauxhall Ampera costs £28,995 (including the government plug-in car grant). Benefits include zero road tax, zero London congestion charge and a mere five per cent company car taxation.
The Ampera is also backed by Vauxhall’s lifetime or 100,000 mile warranty and has an eight-year 100,000 mile guarantee on the battery system. It will not go on sale in our market until March 2012.
