Vauxhall

Ampera

Welcome to the world’s first extended-range electric vehicle. Packed with jaw-dropping technology and a host of luxurious features, the Vauxhall Ampera offers amazing economy and could even reach 175mpg. And it handles beautifully too.

Test Drive

Vauxhall Ampera Electron E-Rev

When a vehicle is voted Car of the Year then it has to be a little bit special and when that car is powered by an electric motor it makes the achievement all the greater.

That is the case with the highly impressive Vauxhall Ampera which always runs on electricity, but never runs out of juice because it has a petrol engine working in conjunction with the motor.

Basically, the car can run for up to 50 miles in emission-free mode before the 1.4-litre petrol engine cuts in to add another 310 miles to the car’s range. And if further mileage is required then it’s a case of popping into a service station and topping up with fuel.

Range anxiety is a major concern for many people considering an electric vehicle, but the highly advanced technology behind the Ampera addresses any such issues.

And another bonus is the car’s striking good looks. Unlike some electrically-powered vehicles, the Ampera looks great from all angles thanks to its bold stance, neat lines, 17-inch alloys and LED daytime running lights.

And once you take your seat inside the car, it’s impossible not to be wowed by the build quality and number of techno treats at your disposal.

I tested out the top-of-the-range Electron E-Rev model which, after the Government’s grant of £5k for electric vehicles, still features a price-tag of £33,995, plus £1,275 of optional extras too.

Attention-grabbing design features include the shiny white door panels and white inserts in the leather seats.

But there are touches of refinement at every turn with technical wizardry in abundance.

Creature comforts include an amazing six-speaker BOSE sound system, electronic climate control, satellite navigation, electronic climate control, a mobile phone system with Bluetooth and voice recognition, front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera, heated seats and a touch control display console that offers all sorts of information about power flow and energy usage.

The Ampera offers four driving modes – normal which is for everyday driving, sport which delivers a more dynamic performance, mountain which offers extra power to climb steeper inclines and a very clever hold setting whereby the car’s battery power can be conserved and then used at a later time.

This means zero emission driving is available at the press of a button which van be invaluable in congestion charge areas.

So the Ampera looks good, is packed to bursting with techno treats but how does it handle?

Once again Vauxhall is on to a winner here because the Ampera delivers an incredibly smooth and responsive drive.

Acceleration is good reaching 60mph from a standing start in 8.7 seconds and the handling is difficult to find fault with.

The sport mode is excellent fun and the “hold” function is simple and quick to implement when required.

Onlookers gaze as you pass by in total silence both inside and out and the comfort levels for all occupants is of a high standard too which is good because the Ampera will clearly be taken on long runs as well as a short commute.

Vauxhall claims the car can achieve combined fuel efficiency of 235.4mpg and with carbon emissions of just 27g/km the Ampera is even good for the planet.

And when you take into account Vauxhall’s 100,000-mile lifetime warranty it’s so easy to see just why the Ampera is scooping the awards and gathering such a fanbase along the way.

For more details visit www.localvauxhall.co.uk

Test Drive

Vauxhall Ampera – first drive

There’s just one description that perfectly sums up the Vauxhall Ampera – Europe’s first extended range electric vehicle – it’s electrifying!

And that’s because this pioneering five-door, four-seater promises electric-powered motoring in all driving conditions – long or short – and it delivers on all counts.

In addition, the Ampera is a bit of a looker too and it‘s packed to bursting with technological wizardry.

Boasting groundbreaking technology, the Ampera’s wheels are electrically driven at all times. A lithium-ion battery pack feeds an advanced electric drive unit which can deliver up to 50 miles of pure electric driving with zero emissions. But, unlike other EVs there is no panic caused by range anxiety because for longer journeys there is the range extender – a 1.4-litre petrol-fuelled engine which powers the electric motor and can result in a further 310 miles.

In fact, initial figures suggest the Ampera will achieve 175mpg and emit less than 40g/km in carbon emissions.

The vehicle takes approximately four hours to charge using a normal household 13 amp socket, and with experts believing that 80 per cent of motorists drive 60kms or less a day, that distance can easily be achieved in pure EV form at a fraction of normal motoring costs.

Another feature that impresses is the Ampera’s choice of driving modes. There’s normal and sport for everyday motoring, but in addition there is a mountain mode for extreme climbs and a hold setting which can be used to store the charge in the battery. This can be invaluable if the car is to be driven into a congestion charge area later on where zero emissions means zero expense.

Obviously first impressions are paramount when attracting new customers and the Ampera is a very attractive car. It has the sleek streamlined looks of a sports saloon with 17-inch alloys, boomerang light clusters housing ice-blue LED daytime running lights, aerodynamic door mirrors and the new-look Vauxhall Griffin emblem standing proudly on the front grille.

It’s these advanced aerodynamics that has added a further eight miles to the car battery’s driving range.

And if the exterior doesn’t offer enough of a wow factor for you, then take a seat at the controls of starship Ampera, because long gone are dials, gauges and needles.

Those dated read-outs have been replaced by two 7-inch interactive high definition colour screens. The first shows vital driving information such as speed, driving efficiency, battery pack state of charge, electric driving range, warning lights etc.

And the second display offers touch-screen features and is the main infotainment centre. Here you will find functions such as climate control, a 60GB hard-drive, sat nav and plenty of driving tips to improve efficiency.

The interior is very splendid in design with fine leather, heated seats and all the luxurious touches we have come to expect these days, including a fantastic Bose sound system. Onlookers may not hear the engine, but they will certainly hear the music from afar!

The vehicle is specifically designed to carry four adults in comfort and there’s ample room to store any luggage requirements. The rear seats can also be folded flat to increase load capacity.

So, the Ampera seems to have it all, but what about performance? No problem!

The ride in both the purely electric and range-extended modes is smooth, responsive, comfortable and very quiet with virtually no road surface noise. The Ampera boasts a top speed of 100mph and reaches 0-62mph in about 9 seconds. Road-holding is excellent and acceleration through the automatic transmission exceptionally slick. Parking is made simpler thanks to a reversing camera.

If I were to pick any fault with the Ampera then visibility is slightly impaired due to a large front pillar. Also some drivers may find the two screens a little too much of a distraction and break from tradition, although I found them quite quirky and packed with useful information.

As one would expect, the Ampera boasts excellent safety specifications, including anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, traction control, stability control, numerous airbags and a massive battery that has been put through every test imaginable to assess its strength, endurance and safety credentials.

Smart phone owners will also be able to download an app offering functions such as finding your local Vauxhall dealer, searching for charging stations, finding your car, receiving accident assist and much more.

The Ampera is priced at £28,999 which includes the Government’s plug-in car grant.

The battery is separately warranted for eight years and the rest of the car has Vauxhall’s lifetime warranty – first owner only and a 100,000 mile limit.

But watch out because the Ampera also comes with a word of warning – you could lose a good friend at your local garage because you won’t need to visit to fill up very often.

For more details visit www.localvauxhall.co.uk