The European carmaker once famous for bicycles and sewing machines is readying a range-extended electric car to show crowds at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Russelsheim-based Opel has announced that their latest green creation will wear the 'Ampera' name badge, and that the model will be displayed in Geneva from March 5 to 15, 2009.
The model is a five-door, four-seat vehicle, and a teaser sketch shows a sleek grille and unique bumper-mounted air inlets that flow out of the lower portion of the headlamps. Said headlamps are of a low-profile design, and the roofline is very aerodynamic, as expected.
Propulsion comes from GM's 'ground-breaking' electric propulsion technology called Voltec. Basically trips up to 60 kilometres are powered exclusively by voltage stored in an on-board battery that's recharged by a standard outlet. When further distances are to be covered, the batteries are recharged by a small internal combustion engine. Chrysler has announced a similar system with production intent for next year.
GM says that their Voltec technology is a good fit with the European market, as about 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 kilometres a day.
Alain Visser, GM Europe Chief Marketing Officer, said "with the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometers of non-stop electric driving."
photo:General Motors
The model is a five-door, four-seat vehicle, and a teaser sketch shows a sleek grille and unique bumper-mounted air inlets that flow out of the lower portion of the headlamps. Said headlamps are of a low-profile design, and the roofline is very aerodynamic, as expected.
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Propulsion comes from GM's 'ground-breaking' electric propulsion technology called Voltec. Basically trips up to 60 kilometres are powered exclusively by voltage stored in an on-board battery that's recharged by a standard outlet. When further distances are to be covered, the batteries are recharged by a small internal combustion engine. Chrysler has announced a similar system with production intent for next year.
GM says that their Voltec technology is a good fit with the European market, as about 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 kilometres a day.
Alain Visser, GM Europe Chief Marketing Officer, said "with the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometers of non-stop electric driving."
photo:General Motors
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