Vauxhall open a new chapter in Britain’s automotive history with the introduction of the range extending Ampera in May.
Unlike a conventional hybrid which runs an internal combustion engine alongside an electric generator, the Ampera is an electrically driven car which uses either liquid cooled lithium-ion batteries good for about 50 miles of zero emission motoring or another 310-miles on a Corsa-derived 1.4 litre petrol engine and their combined use means its official emissions are 27g/km. There is no direct drive from the petrol engine to the wheels and there is a six-speed automatic transmission.
It will be sold through 23 dealerships nationwide which have had to specially train mechanics in high voltage servicing, and each Ampera buyer will get a personal handover, accompanied first drive if desired, dedicated call assistance and courtesy car while their Ampera is collected and serviced.
Offered in three trim levels, with the entry model available to order from May for delivery towards the end of the year, the first Amperas will arrive in showrooms on 1 May.
Initial models will be the Positiv at £32,250 inclusive of the government’s plug-in car grant and it has a standard leather interior, with heated front seats and front/rear parking sensors with a rear-view camera.
Electron at the £33,995 comes with colour touch screen, satellite navigation system, bespoke Bose Energy Efficient Series sound system, DVD video player, 30GB hard-disc drive storage and voice-controlled navigation, telephone and music systems.
sThe entry level model has not yet been named and will be £29,995 with DAB radio, 7-inch touch screen monitor, cruise control, alloys and cloth trim.
Backed by Vauxhall’s unique Lifetime Warranty and an 8 year 100,000 mile battery warranty, the majority of Ampera owners will have the convenience of a specialist dealer within a one-hour drive of their home.
“We’re breaking completely fresh ground with the Ampera,” said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “The technology is obviously unique in a production car, but it’s the level of personalised customer support we’re offering that will be just as important to owners.”
Ampera saloon is based on an Astra floorpan but modified to accommodate the battery pack in a T-shaped layout under the twin back seats and transmission tunnel, which means it cannot utilize a third seat in the middle of the back row.
The powertrain is housed under the bonnet, the petrol filler is on the right rear wing and the plug-in point is ahead of the left-hand front door and the boot space rises from 300 to 1,000 litres.
Vauxhall has joined forces with British Gas to offer Ampera buyers a charging dock which can cut-down the waiting to four hours on a dedicated line, about six hours on a conventional solo mains supply or up to ten hours on a trickle charge. Once charged the Ampera will accelerate on its batteries to 60mph in about 9 seconds and maximum speed is approximately 100mph. It does 50 miles for about £2.50 electricity, depending on tariffs.
On the road
The extended range concept is very good, very practical, seamless and easy to live with.
Its advantage over a now conventional hybrid is the ultra low emissions which qualify for free travel in congestion charging zones and the ability to carry on driving when a conventional battery-powered car would run out of charge.
It is not a cheaper alternative to a diesel for higher than average mileage users as the petrol engine running costs would then be a bigger factor in the overall equation, but as it stands it is projected to have a 45pc residual value, lower servicing costs and if used on battery power alone a very low pence-per-mile figure.
The near silence of the Ampera has led to a special pedestrian alert system or muffled twin horns being fitted.
On test the Ampera Electron displayed a good turn of speed in traffic with strong, smooth acceleration on electric power and that lasted for just under 50 miles before the small petrol engine eased in to take over. Combining the two systems the overall economy on test worked out at 44.6mpg for our journey.
Inside, the Electron is well equipped, roomy and airy and access is good, the boot space adequate and seats fairly good.
The technology is very good but the Ampera does not compare well to a conventional petrol or diesel rival in terms of sophistication.
Its biggest disappointment is a very rough and noisy ride, particularly over coarse surfaces, centrally biased steering and brakes which tended to grab in an unprogressive manner.
With so much effort, dare I say energy, put into creating the ER Ampera it is a shame it does not sit in a better chassis for UK roads.
