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Opel Ampera: Revolutionary Electric Car Ready for Launch

Opel at 64th Frankfurt International Motor Show

13.09.2011

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Rüsselsheim/Frankfurt. Opel moves mobility forward with the new Ampera that is making its premiere in Germany as a series production car at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 15 - 25). The revolutionary, sleek and practical Opel Ampera is Europe’s first electric vehicle to enable ‘go anywhere at any time’ mobility. Even before market launch, the Ampera has already won over one dozen awards from trade experts and the public for its innovative propulsion concept. First deliveries of the series production car will be made before the end of this year.

The wheels of the Ampera are electrically driven at all times. A unique 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack feeds an advanced, 111 kW/150 hp electric drive unit to deliver between 40 and 80 km – depending on terrain, driving technique and temperature – of pure electric operation with zero emissions when fully charged. According to the official R(EC)715/2007 regulation for measuring fuel consumption and CO₂  emissions, the Ampera 1.2/100 km and emits 27 g/km CO₂. To power the electric vehicle even more ecologically, Opel recently reached a cooperation agreement with certified green electricity suppliers. In this way Ampera customers are offered a seamless chain of sustainability from the generation of electricity all the way to the Ampera’s battery while they benefit from lower electricity rates.

On the road, the Ampera’s Voltec electric propulsion system ensures lively performance and impressive power. Instant torque of 370 Nm enables zero to 100 km/h acceleration in around 9 seconds and a top speed of 161 km/h. The Ampera offers a unique driving experience in battery operation, delivering nearly silent electric drive and a highly refined NVH performance even in extended-range drive mode.

Thanks to the Ampera’s intelligent and practical extended-range capability, drivers enjoy peace of mind because they will never be left stranded by the roadside with a depleted battery. The Ampera offers all the environmental benefits and spirited driving performance of a battery-powered car with none of the drawbacks.

While independent research shows that the Ampera’s pure battery zero-emissions driving range is sufficient to meet the daily needs of 80 percent of European drivers, it also provides a total driving range of more than 500 kilometers thanks to its range-extending gasoline engine. This is seamlessly engaged to generate electricity if and when the battery has reached its minimum state of charge.

It is also a car that’s practical to use. The cabin offers all the space, comfort, and convenience features you would expect from a premium compact car: five-door flexibility, comfortable accommodation for four adults, and a seat up/seat down load carrying capacity of 310/1,005 liters. The battery pack is located low down in the center of the car, which enables the use of flat-folding rear seat-backs.

Start of sales at end of 2011

The Ampera goes on sale throughout Europe at a recommended retail price of 42,900 euros (incl. VAT; in view of differing trim levels between markets, prices in each country may vary). In contrast to other manufacturers, Opel’s pricing scheme eliminates confusion by always listing the total cost of the car and battery. Opel expects Ampera sales in 2012 to reach around 8,000 units.

Servicing and maintenance requirement are similar to those of other Opel models: an intermediary service every year/30,000 km and a main service every two years/60,000 km. In fact, service and maintenance costs for the Ampera will be 15-20 percent less than those of most mid-size vehicles, primarily due to the almost maintenance-free Voltec electric propulsion system and battery, as well as the low maintenance requirements of the range-extender engine.

“Unlike a conventional electric vehicle, the Opel Ampera can be the only car you need to own,” says Alain Visser, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Opel. “The Ampera delivers it all: revolutionary propulsion, progressive styling, excellent safety, high quality and user-friendly functions, all combined with superb driving dynamics.”

The Ampera is more than a fascinating high-tech product with great environmental value. Visser adds: “It transforms visions into reality, and so interprets the Opel brand’s philosophy and values in a highly advanced, trend-setting way. The Ampera stands for the company’s greenest, most positive, creative and future-oriented thinking with which we are taking on the challenges of the future.”

Revolutionary Voltec electric propulsion system

The electric drive unit, located under the hood alongside the gasoline engine, consists of an electric traction motor, an electric generator/motor, and a planetary gear set that improves overall efficiency by reducing the combined rotational speed of the electric motors. Unlike a conventional powertrain, there are no step gears.

In extended-range mode, which activates whenever the battery has reached its minimum state of charge, motive power from a generator is seamlessly inverted to the electric drive unit. The generator is driven by a highly-efficient 1.4-liter, 63 kW/86 hp gasoline engine.

The driver can choose from four driving modes – Normal, Sport, Mountain or Hold-charge – to adapt the Ampera’s driving behavior to prevailing driving situations. Opel expects that 90 percent of the time, drivers will select one of the two main driving modes: Normal and Sport. ‘Sport’ mode increases the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal. There are two additional modes for special driving situations: ‘Mountain’ mode ensures sufficient battery energy is available for sustained driving on alpine roads. ‘Hold-charge’ mode preserves the remaining energy capacity of the battery pack by activating the gasoline engine – a useful feature to take full advantage of the Ampera’s battery-powered driving range for use in restricted emissions zones, such as urban areas and city centers.

The Ampera’s advanced friction brake blending system maximizes the energy generated during braking and deceleration. It allows for maximum regenerative braking through the electric motor, recharges the battery when decelerating, and seamlessly engages the friction brakes when the pedal is stepped on harder for a fast stop – all completely imperceptible to the driver.

Battery re-charging in about four hours

The unique T-shaped, 198 kg, 16 kWh (installed capacity) battery pack is positioned in the center tunnel of the vehicle and protected by ultra high-strength Martensite support rails. It comprises 288 prismatic lithium-ion battery cells and is configured for optimum performance and durability. A genuine industry first, it uses a liquid thermal management system and is the only mass produced battery pack that can be warmed or cooled. Opel’s Alternative Propulsion Center Europe in Mainz-Kastel near Rüsselsheim played a key role in the battery system’s advanced engineering.

The Ampera is as easy to recharge. Using a 230 V power outlet with appropriate capacity, owners can fully recharge the battery in about four hours. At lower capacity, the charging time increases. The Ampera comes equipped with a six-meter long charging cable on a reel conveniently stowed in the trunk and an adapter for the electrical connections in other European countries.

Highest-level chassis and passive safety

The Ampera handles like a tightly tuned sports sedan. Developed by Opel engineers in Rüsselsheim, its chassis characteristics have been honed to satisfy the expectations of discerning customers. Front suspension is by McPherson struts with aluminum lower control arms and hydraulic ride bushings. The semi-independent rear suspension features a compound crank (torsion beam) which combines the packaging advantages of a conventional torsion beam axle with low weight and consistent wheel camber control.

The rack-mounted, electric power steering system incorporates premium quality ZF components. It has dual pinions, one for steering and the other to add assistance, giving variable effort turning.

The Ampera’s core body structure ensures outstanding crashworthiness and stiffness.

More than 50 crash tests at various speeds and angles were conducted in the development of the Ampera’s safety systems, including front, side and rear impacts as well as rollovers. A restraint system with eight airbags is standard equipment in the Ampera.

A number of tests were also carried out to ensure the safety of the lithium-ion battery system, including its water tightness in wet or flooded road conditions. In an emergency, the battery pack can be easily disconnected by rescue services.

Exterior and interior: Electrifying design

Sleek, sculpted and precise: the Ampera takes Opel’s award-winning design language into the EV segment, blending sculptural artistry with German precision. Finely balanced proportions are combined with a low, wide stance that gives the Ampera a dynamic, future-oriented appearance.

Distinctive ‘boomerang’ headlamp housings – a new element of the Opel design language – are a clear Ampera identifier, as is its prominent grille and bold Opel badge. Every aspect of this revolutionary car has been designed and analyzed for efficiency.

The Ampera is not only a real eye-catcher, its striking design also ensures excellent aerodynamics with especially low drag. This extends its pure electric range and reduces consumption in range-extender operation.

Driver Information Center (DIC) replaces conventional instruments

The cabin of the Ampera reflects the ground-breaking nature of its propulsion system. Two interactive, high-definition color screens denote the car’s unique status within Opel’s product portfolio. Replacing conventional instruments in front of the driver is the Driver Information Center (DIC), a reconfigurable graphic display.

A driving efficiency display, alongside the speed read-out in the DIC, depicts a revolving ball, which moves up or down and changes color according to vehicle speed, acceleration and braking. Keeping the ball in the center of the display denotes optimum power usage.

In addition to the standard electronic climate control and radio with steering wheel controls, a Bose^® premium audio system is offered together with a navigation system as an optional package.

An electrically-powered cabin heating and air conditioning system, including heated front seats, ensures interior comfort in a wide range of ambient conditions. There are three climate mode settings – Fan only, Eco or Comfort – which adjust the climate control system’s effect on the vehicle’s electric driving range or fuel economy.

The Ampera will be assembled at General Motors’ Hamtramck plant in Detroit. The battery pack is produced at GM’s own battery assembly facility in Brownstown, near Detroit, the first such plant built in the US by a major carmaker.