Comments on: Opel Ampera unveiled before Geneva

By: WVB

WVB — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:37:48 +0000

by 2012 I’d prefer to think the federal government will be supporting the introduction of hydrogen refuelling.
By then in the US, Honda’s clarity with any luck will be relegating battery hybrids to become the latest edsels/8 track players/beta videos and DVDs.

GM: promoting yesterday’s technologies

By: Bret

Bret — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:41:30 +0000

Stunned! Not by the Ampera, but by the blind anti-USA rhetoric spammed on here.

Now I’m not pro USA or GM by any means but I prefer the Volt styling.

However have any of you actually looked closely before sprouting. There are no sheetmetal differences, and I doubt few interior differences, and I bet virtually nil technical differences under the skin.

To suggest that this is designed for RHD and the Volt isn’t is pure fantasy – it’s the same bludy car.

This is the Volt with different bumbers and light clusters.

By: JasonP

JasonP — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:39:29 +0000

Cupid, apparently I was being real…

Volt/Ampera could be built in Australia, as they are about to start production of a Delta II based car in 2010.

Oz could get either Volt or Ampera, hopefully the latter..

By: Frontman

Frontman — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:11:09 +0000

Just another little point. Just because the vehicle is designed for Europe that doesn’t mean that it will automatically be RHD! There are plenty of Euro cars that aren’t being done as right hookers because the market isn’t there. Just ask Fiat & Lancia for starters

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:38:33 +0000

GM did the same thing with the Camero, showing it off 3 years before the production models roled off the line. Why release pics and concepts so soon, they build the hype and wonder why when it does get released people loose interest and don’t buy it. Not to say there competion have already brought out a more advanced competitor sooner…… Yes no wonder there company is going to the dogs. I must say the Ampera is alot better looking than the Volt. Note to American designers, take a leaf out of the european designers book, you might sell alot more cars, even the American consumer is saying this, are they all deaf at GM?

By: B-Man

B-Man — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:47:58 +0000

Not bad. Kinda looks like and FPV that’s just had its wisdom teeth out.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:32:55 +0000

If you get 500km buy using the engine to charge the batteries while you go. What sort of fuel consumption do you get?

I am guessing it would be significantly less than a regular petrol engine putting power straight to the wheels.

Would need to know the figure before buying one.

By: Pauly

Pauly — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:27:14 +0000

Not to mention, the Ampera is actually designed for Europe and not America.

Which means its designed with Right Hand Drive in mind, The Volt is not.

Thats the reason why we wont see the Volt here until later 2012.

If Holden had brains, they would be asking GM Opel for the Ampera instead, that means we could see it in 2011 not 2012.

Plus this looks soooo much better then the Volt!

By: o

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:12:39 +0000

Cruze,Astra,Volt,ampera all built on delta II.Hope holden changes its mind and brings this.it fits with the design language more

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:53:00 +0000

try iMotor for more photos and performance spec. I’ll probably get smacked legs by C A but there is more available.