GM announced today that its European brand, Opel, will officially unveil the Chevy Bolt EV-based Ampera-e at the Paris Motor show next month. The show starts October 1st, but automakers generally make their announcement in the week before the show officially opens to the public.
While GM hasn’t released all the specs of the Ampera-e at this point, it’s clearly a rebranded Bolt EV and should have similar specs. Last year, the automaker said that it was considering to produce a version of the vehicle at its European plants, but reports came out earlier this year claiming that it is now out of the question and the Ampera-e will be built at GM’s Orion plant near Detroit alongside the Bolt EV.
Since we expect the specs to be the same or very similar to the Bolt EV, the most interesting information we expect will come out of Paris for the Ampera-e is pricing and availability. In the US, GM is quick to advertise the vehicle at costing “$30,000 after incentives” when the price is actually $37,500. It should be more difficult to do in Europe because of its pricing regulations and since EV incentives are not the same in each market.
Availability will be interesting too considering GM is claiming that the Bolt EV is not a compliance car and it aims to make it first available in all 50 states and now also in Europe with the Ampera-e, which will likely impact production.
GM so far talked about annual volumes of anywhere between 30,000 to 50,000 units. If it plans to cover the 50 states, Canada, and Europe with these kind of volumes, it’s difficult to imagine them not prioritizing markets with ZEV mandates.
In a press release, GM is focusing the Ampera-e’s acceleration and torque:
The maximum torque of 360 Nm is responsible for the electrifying temperament of the new Opel. The power output of the electric motor is 150 kW/204 hp (PS). Standing starts at traffic lights and entering the motorway belong to the Opel Ampera-e’s favorite disciplines. The compact car sprints to 50 km/h in only 3.2 seconds, acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h for overtaking is accomplished in just 4.5 seconds (provisional figures). The Ampera-e thus performs at the same level as OPC models, the sporty spearheads of Opel.
The company even released a video of the Ampera-e racing against those OPC models – you will also find a full press release below:
https://youtu.be/cmMdy1TYpsE
“e” for Electrifying: Opel Ampera-e World Premiere in Paris
- e-Premiere: revolutionary electric car at Paris motor show
- e-fun to drive: acceleration and overtaking ability like a sportscar
- e-connectivity: always online with IntelliLink infotainment and Opel OnStar
Rüsselsheim. Opel will revolutionize electromobility at the up-coming “Mondial de l’Automobile” in Paris. From October 1-16 the Opel Ampera-e – an electric car that electrifies in every way – makes its world premiere (hall 5-2, booth 501). The car with the lightning flash logo combines pioneering battery technology and localized emissions-free operation with a fun-to-drive experience, as the maximum torque of 360 Nm provides impressive acceleration figures and overtaking ability.
“The Opel Ampera-e makes electromobility fully feasible for everyday use and ready for the future” says Opel CEO, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “The Ampera-e demonstrates impressively how well sustainability and driving pleasure can form a unity. And with its strong-as-an-ox electric motor, it delivers pure fun-to-drive.”
The maximum torque of 360 Nm is responsible for the electrifying temperament of the new Opel. The power output of the electric motor is 150 kW/204 hp (PS). Standing starts at traffic lights and entering the motorway belong to the Opel Ampera-e’s favorite disciplines. The compact car sprints to 50 km/h in only 3.2 seconds, acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h for overtaking is accomplished in just 4.5 seconds (provisional figures). The Ampera-e thus performs at the same level as OPC models, the sporty spearheads of Opel.
Fun-to-drive with the Opel Ampera-e also means swift cruising at up to 150 km/h. At the same time, the Ampera-e also offers a significantly longer range than most other electric cars. The unique, compact proportions of the Ampera-e are driven by the battery pack being mounted flat, under the vehicle 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.
Best entertainment: download your favorite films and music
Driving pleasure for the passengers over long distances is provided. In addition to the excellent feeling of roominess, there comes the best in digital connectivity, in typical Opel fashion. The Ampera-e has the newest generation of IntelliLink infotainment as well as Opel OnStar onboard. Subject to availability, the award-winning connectivity and service assistant simultaneously offers up to seven mobile devices access to its powerful Wi-Fi hotspot. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink systems bring the world of smartphones into the Ampera-e, so that passengers have full access to their favorite music or can download at will their preferred films – just a few examples of the many functions of the multifaceted
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