Opel Ampera revealed in European registry
by John Neff on Feb 18th 2009 at 11:58AM 
Click above for image gallery of the production Opel Ampera
As we learned yesterday in the Viability Plan that General Motors submitted to the U.S. Treasury Department, there will be two additional versions of the Chevy Volt sold in various markets. One is a production version of the Cadillac Converj concept, and the other is this car, the Opel Ampera, that will officially debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Thanks to the European Registry, we now have more than just GM's official teaser to show you. These images reveal the production Ampera from every angle, and as you can see in the gallery below, it's basically the same exterior as the Volt with a new front and rear end inspired by the Flextreme concept with additional Opel design cues. The Ampera will use the same Voltec drivetrain as the Volt, which means the extended-range EV will be able to power the wheels using electricity alone for up to 40 miles.
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dan 12:02PM (2/18/2009)
Dodge Avenger in the back, last gen TL in front.
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Andrew L 12:34PM (2/18/2009)
When I first saw this I thought it was an Acura...
under the tail lights tho reminds me of the current gen Falcon
Dude 12:05PM (2/18/2009)
I can't put my finger on it... VOLT... but I swear I've seen that design somewhere else.
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Jake 12:44PM (2/18/2009)
"...there will be two additional versions of the Chevy Volt sold in various markets."
Mobius_1 12:55PM (2/18/2009)
I can't put my finger on it... ACURA... but I swear I've seen that grille somewhere...
:)
srDRIVEN 12:07PM (2/18/2009)
Maybe an even more compelling design than the Volt. Though I like both much more than their rivals, I kinda prefer the bold front end of the Opel.
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TBlueMax 1:25PM (2/18/2009)
I like the design overall but would have preferred the 2-box shape of the Opel Flextreme concept
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-flextreme-concept-1/400122/
Using the Volt's 3-box shape certainly keeps costs at a minimum with just updating the front and rear clips to differentiate the Opel from the Chevy. Can't really blame GM for trying to save some money but I'm hoping if GM survives, we'll eventually see the Flextreme or similar arrive in dealer showrooms.
Sea Urchin 12:16PM (2/18/2009)
Looks nice, but brings up a question.....is Saturn dead? Is this really it. Is it even worth going to a Saturn dealership unless you can secure a HUGE discount?
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Dude 2:40PM (2/18/2009)
The fact that it would take a huge discount to even get you to a Saturn dealership shows how bad off they are.
Swede 2:51PM (2/18/2009)
Why would you go to a Saturn dealership to buy a Chevrolet Volt?
Noidor 12:20PM (2/18/2009)
As far as I'm concerned Chevy Volt should have been a world car sold under than name, rebadging it as an Opel for European market damages both Opel and Chevy brands. "I'm driving an Opel, but it's really a Chevy"...that's nonsense.
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Swede 3:00PM (2/18/2009)
Problem is that if it were a Chevrolet you'd have to go to a Chevrolet dealership, and that is a real hassle. The other problem is that Chevrolets are still considered
A: poorly made cars from america (Chevrolet Alero et al)
B: decently made korean cars without character and no handling
Opel on the other hand rivals Volkswagen. Choosing which brand to put on the Volt is easy.
JD 12:19PM (2/18/2009)
Front: Last gen TL.
Rear: Current gen TSX.
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icetraxx 12:22PM (2/18/2009)
Oh look, the Acura version of the Volt!
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Sektor 12:22PM (2/18/2009)
Looks kinda like a mashup of a Civic and a Avenger. But it doesn't look bad at all.
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Yikes 12:37PM (2/18/2009)
Nice to see GM using tax payer money designing an Opel badge for the front of the Volt.
Next I want to see the badges on the front of the
Buick Volt
Saturn Volt
Pontiac Volt
Cadillac Volt
Hummer volt
Saab Volt
Vauxhall Volt
Holden Volt
Daewoo Volt
GMC Volt
.
.
.
.
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Torrent 12:49PM (2/18/2009)
People will pay good money in Europe for an Opel badge so stfu.
John 12:42PM (2/18/2009)
I like the front end better than the Volt (and frankly, the name too... Ampera just sounds cool). I know establishing brand identity is important, but it's too bad they didn't push the Volt styling a bit more "out there." It basically has a more modern version of the same grille that is slapped on the front of everything from the Aveo to the Traverse. That really blands up the appearance for me.
Love or hate the appearance of the Prius, it did look like something from the future when the 2nd gen. version came out, and totally unlike anything else Toyota sells. That idea seemed to really stick with the average consumer.
I can just hear the uninformed now:
Mary "George, is that the new Cavalier?"
George: "Doh!"
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n_r_child 3:25PM (2/18/2009)
And what part of this is futuristic?
http://www.siliconeer.com/auto-pics/03prius_thumb.jpg
n_r_child 3:28PM (2/18/2009)
NM. I missed "2nd gen" when I first read it.
Nevertheless, it took 2 iterations to get something out there. You are not alone in saying GM needs it to be perfect right away, and I was hearing that before the economic crisis made it seem they are dependent on the Volt's success. Why is it that the mighty Toyota gets two shakes at solving the problem, and GM only gets one?