Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Ampera

GM's revolutionary plug-in hybrid technology is showing other manufacturers the way.

GM is leading the way with a whole-new generation of hybrids! The Ampera, co-developed with its sister car the Chevrolet Volt, is poised to set new standards for fuel economy and emissions when it goes on sale in late 2011. Early tests suggest as much as 176mpg and CO2 emissions of less than 40g/km could be possible, along with a theoretical range of 320-miles.

The innovative drivetrain features a 150bhp motor running off a 16kWh battery. When this runs flat, a 75bhp 1.4-litre diesel kicks in to charge it up. Vauxhall has promised that the advanced lithium-ion cells will take three hours to top-up from a household socket, and will be guaranteed for up to 10 years. But with the batteries alone costing up to £5,000, the problem is keeping the price as low as possible.
 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Vauxhall Mokka facelift takes the fight to the Ford Puma with £24k starting price
Vauxhall Mokka facelift - front static

New Vauxhall Mokka facelift takes the fight to the Ford Puma with £24k starting price

Vauxhall’s stylish small SUV has been given an interior makeover, bigger screens and a simplified engine line-up
News
6 Nov 2024
Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k
Dacia Spring Cargo - front static

Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k

The commercial version of Dacia’s cut-price Spring EV ditches the back seats to increase cargo space
News
5 Nov 2024
New Suzuki e Vitara revealed: Japanese brand’s first EV only offers 248-mile range
Suzuki e Vitara reveal - front

New Suzuki e Vitara revealed: Japanese brand’s first EV only offers 248-mile range

The compact Suzuki e Vitara electric SUV will be available with four-wheel drive, and should arrive next summer
News
4 Nov 2024