Opel Ampera caught in the buff ahead of Geneva reveal
by Sam Abuelsamid on Feb 20th 2009 at 10:29AM 
One of the many cars we'll be seeing at the Geneva Motor Show is the Opel Ampera. The Ampera is essentially nothing more than a Chevrolet Volt with a new face. The Opel grille and headlights have largely been lifted from the Flextreme concept that appeared at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. General Motors has already said it will sell both the Volt and an Opel-badged car using the same Voltec powertrain in the European market. Judging by the appearance of the Ampera, it looks like GM's money troubles mean that body changes for the Opel will be kept to a bare minimum. Of course, a big part of the reason for the production Volt's shape is the need for optimized aerodynamics, so it's unlikely the Opel would have changed much anyway. Although AutoCar reports that the Ampera will be built at one of GM's European factories, the reality is that initial production volumes are likely to be small (in the very low tens of thousands annually, at best). That means for at least the first few years, even the Opel- and Vauxhall-badged versions will be sourced from GM's Detroit/Hamtramck factory where the Volt will be made. Thanks for the tip, Mehdi!
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mazda FTW! 10:33AM (2/20/2009)
HOT
176MPG??? Whoooaaa nice
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Egon 11:06AM (2/20/2009)
Not bad.
Actually, I'm interested in what the payload capacity will be. It had better be huge, because if the PR buildup is any indication, it's going to be carrying the all hopes and dreams of an entire corporation.
James 12:01PM (2/20/2009)
I wish some bold automaker would now develop a gas/electric hybrid or an all out electric car that is powered mainly by ultra capacitors, and acts as THE battery/electric source...Li or NiMH batteries I think would be passe very soon.
AirRaid 10:40AM (2/20/2009)
Ugly.
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RayJ 10:42AM (2/20/2009)
I love Opel they are the best GM division. They have made the Volt look X2 better than before.
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Curtis 10:49AM (2/20/2009)
I disagree. Although nice, I think the Volt looks much more natural and refined compared to this. The big huge boomerangs don't look that great on the Ampera. I also like the Volt name better. For once it seems the US is getting the better looking skin.
Epyx 10:55AM (2/20/2009)
It could look exactly the same minus the emblem change and some boner would come on here and say the Opel version is 2x better. The same as those who think the Opel Gt is way better than the Saturn Sky. Or claim the Opel GT is based of a Lotus or that think the Opel GT was the first of the Kappa cars and not the last version.
369EkO 10:48AM (2/20/2009)
Kind of looks like a Toyota from the front
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chconline 11:13AM (2/20/2009)
I think it looks more Acura CSX (Before power plenum change) ish :P
Autblogist! 11:03AM (2/20/2009)
*rolls eyes* Let the "Europe always gets the best cars" bitching begin.
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jon 11:08AM (2/20/2009)
It would be cool to get a body like this in the US as after-market... So if you wanted something different, you could have it and just bolt it on.
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renshcp 11:09AM (2/20/2009)
I do actually prefer the Opel. I think sales will be greater with a more distinct, although perhaps polarizing, appearance versus the rather vanilla look of the Volt. It's kind of analogous to the GTO, if you are going to pay that much money for a car, most people don't want to be confused for a Pontiac G5. I know some people are less superficial and want the "sleeper" muscle car or "sleeper" electric car, but I don't think most consumers fall into that category.
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John 11:43AM (2/20/2009)
I agree, and think it is a bit of a blunder to slap the corporate face on their latest cutting-edge technology. When the original Taurus came out, it looked radically different from the rest of Ford's lineup, but due to its reception, elements such as the "floating" Ford badge, etc, were later applied to everything from the Escort to Crown Vic.
GM has taken a bass-ackwards approach instead. Applying a look that has been around awhile on their whole lineup (even the Aveo!) to what is supposed to be their game-changing car. Dull the impact a little? Possibly.
randyterpstra 8:26AM (2/22/2009)
AutoBlog quote: "The Ampera is essentially nothing more than a Chevrolet Volt with a new face. "
This is incorrect. Do a little digging and you will notice that the Opel Ampera features a hatch-back body style, which the Chevrolet Volt does not.
~BG
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Sam Abuelsamid 8:58PM (2/21/2009)
Not correct. The Volt is a hatchback.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt-3/1362200/
Jorge 11:34AM (2/20/2009)
Chevrolet Volt, Vauxhall-Opel Ampera. I wonder if Pontiac is going to get the Ohm? very imaginative!!! not!
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jv2k 11:35AM (2/20/2009)
Wait so they are releasing the volt and the ampera in europe? And the only difference is that the ampera has boomerang headlights?
What's the point of selling two versions?
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Torrent 11:52AM (2/20/2009)
The Name. People would buy anything in Europe if it has the Opel Name. And the rear is tweaked. Very noticeably.
Swede 12:40PM (2/20/2009)
Chevrolet doesnt have any dealers.
Coolio 12:15PM (2/20/2009)
Cover up the bottom half of the boomerangs and it's a Civic.
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