GM's Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid hits the carpet in Geneva

As expected, GM just officially unwrapped its new Opel Ampera, the European rebadge of its Voltec-powered Chevy Volt. It's looking pretty "fit," as they say overseas, and will go into production late 2011. Internals are just what we're used to with the Volt, with a 16kWh lithium-ion battery that takes the car 60km (about 37 miles) and a gas powered generator for recharging the battery once depleted, that can extend the range to more than 500km (about 311 miles). Videos galore are after the break.

GM's Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid hits the carpet in Geneva

[JZeke Posted Mar 2nd 2009 6:01PM]

Its the same Malibu Stacy (Chevy Volt), just with a new hat (Grill, paint job, rims).

[Lundmark Posted Mar 2nd 2009 6:23PM]

It looks like a SAAB concept with tears. No wonder it cries :-(

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2009 9:44PM]

Big deal. Until I can actually walk into a showroom and buy one, I wont believe anything any large automaker has to say on plug-in cars.
Oh and can GM please badge this as a Holden and release it down under (and the sooner the better)
Assuming the 500km-on-a-tank-of-gas claims are accurate, it would be the perfect thing for the land down under. It should be able to handle most peoples daily driving (e.g. to and from work) largely on electricity and with the gas engine it could even travel the Eyre Highway without running out.

[winstonsteele Posted Mar 2nd 2009 10:22PM]

The last of the five videos was totally compelling; an instant art-house classic. In focus, out of focus ... and quick, back in focus. Zoom in. Zoom out. Mirror to headlamp. Headlamp to mirror. And down to the ground. Then back out of focus. And -- brilliantly -- rapid pan to the rear.

5 lightning bolts out of 5!

;-)

(In all seriousness, I liked the vids ... ghetto as they were! Great way to get familiar with a car.)

[Iain L Posted Mar 2nd 2009 11:44PM]

is it me or does it look like a shoe?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2009 5:13AM]

it looks like something Honda would make.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 9th 2009 1:33PM]

Yet that comment is ignoring that other electrics were pure battery powered. This type of hybrid is a GAME CHANGER. The on board gasoline powered generator repleneshes the batteries, giving a normal driving range, and no dead battery anxiety / limitation to everyday use.

Wrap your minds around the fact that the volt / ampera configuration will be THE near term solution to reducing gasoline usage and replacing it with electricity powered transportation in a car.
Nuff said

[Ghidora Posted Apr 9th 2009 7:34PM]

Why do the Europeans get the good looking cars and we get the same, standard crap in America? It was so awesome in the concept and not it's shrunk and looks like a Honda Civic, meh. Too late anyway, GM won't even be around 2 months from now let alone "late 2010".