Opel/Vauxhall Ampera may be re-engineered to meet high-performance European needs

Posted: Jun 28, 2010
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2011 Opel Ampera

Europeans tend to go for diesel vehicles over hybrids since they care about the performance they get from their cars. With that in mind, General Motors may dramatically reengineer the Chevrolet Volt/Opel Ampera extend-rage electric-vehicle to better suit high-speed European needs.

How will GM go about doing that? A report by the Telegraph suggests that GM is considering powering the Volt directly from its gasoline engine at high-speeds. While the electric-motor will still be a part of the game, the 40 mile on battery power alone range is expected to drop.

“We are considering driving the wheels directly from the petrol engine,” says Andreas Voight, an Opel project engineer. “There are a number of different ways we could do it, but the whole thing is subject to some intellectual property rights negotiations so I can’t say any more,” said Voight. “You will see an announcement this autumn.”

Click here to read our first drive impressions of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Refresher: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, “T”-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. According to GM”s preliminary specs, the system puts out 150-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes less than 3 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 8 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries a 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 300 miles.

First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Telegraph


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  • Willid3

    i think they like Diesels because the tax handling of Gas is much higher leading to higher gas prices ($8 a gallon in some countries) out weighs the cost draw back of building the engine

  • Gekke Henkie

    Yes and No.
    A.f.a.i.k., the fuel in Europe is more market priced than in North America: since Diesel fuel is a by-product of Gas, it is way cheaper to in the market. In N.A. however, it seems that Diesel is almost as expensive as Gas!? Why? Dunno.

    Secondly, since the market for cars with Diesel engines in Europe is much larger (relatively), the cost of a car with a Diesel engine is similarly priced or only slightly more expensive than the equivalent Gas-engine powered car. In N.A. however, a Ford SD-truck will run you an additional 7 grand for the Diesel 'upgrade' (downgrade?)!? Why?

    I think the price difference is more market/economy driven than tax-driven. Since Europe is driving small cars and Diesel-powered cars for decades, and N.A. is finally catching-up on both, we will see the differences become smaller between the continents, I think/hope. The future will tell…

  • http://fotolode.com/blogs/centralcontracts/ www.centralcontracts.com

    This is great for Vauxhall.