Opel releases official photo of new Ampera ER-EV

Last week, Opel staffers foolishly left the new Ampera parked outside its Russelsheim, Germany headquarters in plain view of a photographer. There were of course no real surprises in the resulting shots, sincee the Ampera is essentially a Chevy Volt with new front and rear fascias. Opel has now released the first official image of the Ampera ahead of its reveal at the Geneva Motor Show this week. It's clearly visible that the Ampera gets a face inspired by the GTC concept of a couple years back along with a different wheel design from its American sibling. GM sources tell us that the Ampera will have a somewhat more upscale interior as well. Under the skin, though, the hardware remains the same with a 40-mile plug-in range, 300-mile total range and a 1.4L range extender.

[Source: Opel]

Press release as translated by Google:

The star of the 79th Geneva Motor Show - Opel Ampera

Electric vehicle with an extended range of 500 kilometers

Rüsselsheim. The Opel Ampera celebrating on the 79th Geneva Motor Show, a high-tension world premiere. With his pioneering Voltec-electric drive offers the Ampera just the technological innovation in order for present and future challenges in the energy and environment sector to be prepared. The vehicle is 2011 in production.

The revolutionary Ampera Opel will be the first zero emission electric car, all the demands of the automotive everyday needs. The Fünftürer with Hatchback offers comfortable space for four passengers - including enough trunk for luggage.

The Ampera will at any time and at any speed electrically driven. Distances up to 60 kilometers, the pure electric vehicle back - with power from its lithium-ion battery, which in a normal 230-volt outlet is loaded. On longer routes also made the drive by electric motor, but by a small internal combustion engine as a generator is fed with electricity and a range of more than 500 miles possible.