Car Reviews > Vauxhall > Ampera > Vauxhall Ampera Car Review
This 175 miles per gallon hybrid is a revolutionary creation from a British firm
The Vauxhall Ampera is the electric car that will not leave the motorist stranded once they run out of charge, according to the manufacturers. The newcomer to the range appears to have everything, including the ability to complete long distance journeys but with an electric only range that is perfect for shorter everyday drives.
For once, it would appear that the hype is at least somewhat justified, as the Vauxhall Ampera is without a doubt actually capable of matching the range offered by the electric only engine in normal daily driving conditions, with the vehicle easily making it 50 miles and with the radio and air conditioning functioning at the same time as well. When the range extending petrol engine comes into play as well, the vehicle is capable of well beyond what is the officially stated range of 120 miles per gallon.
When the power is coming solely from the battery, performance is every bit as refined as that of a normal electric vehicle, with noise from tyres and the wind at an absolute minimum even when speeding down a motorway. The electric motor alone also offers no less than 370 Nm of torque, so the vehicle is certainly not lacking in pull either, and is capable of going from 0-62 miles per hour in no more than 8.5 seconds, albeit with an admittedly fairly limited top speed of 100 miles per hour.
When the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery runs out of juice, that is when the 1.4 litre Ecotec engine can be brought into play (although it should be noted that even then the wheels are actually still being driven by the electric motor), the engine powering a generator which in turn gives electricity to the vehicle. Revs from the engine only start to become noticeable when speeds reach around 50 miles per hour, but even at that point, they remain relatively unobtrusive. Unless drivers are heading on long trips, however, it is unlikely they will need to use the engine all that much, given that the battery can be fully charged via a normal socket in as little as four hours.
Despite its environmentally friendly credentials, the Vauxhall Ampera actually looks sporty, boasting a gaping vent and boomerang wings that conspire to provide it with an aggressive appearance. The interior also looks hi-tech, with the instrument panel replaced by an LED screen and another LED screen at the centre console. In terms of space, the cabin feels suitably spacious with a lot of boot space as well. The only thing likely to cause any concern for the average buyer is the price, which comes in at £28,999 even with the government grant of £5000. As a result, the Vauxhall is around £3000 UK pounds more expensive than the Nissan Leaf and a lot more than the most efficient diesel engine models. On the other hand, the short and long distance options offered by the Ampera make it much more flexible than either of those alternatives.
The Ampera offers the best of both worlds and is likely to prove hard to resist for anyone considering an electric car.
by Autoweb
Ellesmere Port to produce new-generation Astra
Vauxhall announced that the production of its new-generation Astra was given to the company's car plant in Ellesmere Port, securing jobs in Cheshire, England until the early 2020s. This decision follows the wrap up of a new labour agreement, which was accepted by Vauxhall's workforce. Under the agreement, personnel in the plant will follow a 24-hour three-shift pattern from the old two-shift pattern. The new flexible working time comes into force next year and r...
Vauxhall Mokka, Astra VXR to benefit from engine revamp
The Vauxhall Mokka and the Astra VXR are the likely beneficiaries of Vauxhall's planned engine revamp, as Vauxhall and sister company Opel replace their core engine line-up. Featuring excellent levels of torque, strong performance and high fuel efficiency coupled with linearity and noise reduction, the new engines will give Vauxhall/Opel an edge against rivals. The three upcoming engines will be launched in the next 12 months, delivering impressive capabilities such as...