Opel will launch a revolutionary new battery electric car next year, as the German brand continues what it describes as the biggest, most far-reaching model offensive in its history, with 29 new models between 2016 and 2020.
The new five-door, five-seater will be called “Ampera-e”. It will not only have a longer range on a full charge than most electric cars, but Opel promises that it will also be affordably priced. Building on the electrification expertise established with the original Ampera (not sold in Ireland ), which set the benchmark for modern electric cars in 2011, the new Ampera-e combines innovative electric-mobility with state-of-the-art connectivity and exciting driving dynamics.
Announcing the Ampera-e last week at the CAR Symposium in Bochum, Germany, GM chairman and CEO, Mary Barra, said: “GM and Opel have always been convinced that electric cars will play a defining role in future mobility. The game-changing technology of the Ampera-e is a significant step toward realizing that vision. Our new battery electric car is also another boost for Opel’s reputation for making innovative engineering widely accessible.”
Trends like urbanisation and protecting the environment also call for new kinds of mobility and alternative propulsion systems. “Electric vehicles have the potential to make a significant contribution to climate protection and emissions reduction”, says Opel group CEO, Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann. “The new Opel Ampera-e will open the road to electric mobility by breaking down the barriers of high price and short driving range.”
Opel claims that the unique, compact proportions of the Ampera-e are driven by the flat battery pack mounted underneath the interior floor. The efficient packaging of the battery also enables a roomy interior, providing comfortable seating for five passengers and trunk space comparable with that of a car in the compact class.
The Ampera-e will also offer the award-winning personal connectivity and service assistant, Opel OnStar, and connectivity and infotainment technologies that will integrate smartphones and other electronic devices seamlessly into the vehicle.
