I am already thinking of removing the front bumper/grill off the Volt and replacing it with the Opel front bumper/diffuser instead, plus replacing the Volt wheels. The Opel looks far superior to the Volt, and from what I can tell, shares all the same panels except for the front bumper if you look closely. What other nasty Chevy badges am I missing? Just the one on the rear glass, right? I’m sure I can pry that off if it’s just glued on. I don’t like the flashy badging, all I want is sleek futuristic styling, not the Transformers symbol squat Chevy grill.

http://www.salon-auto.ch/en/en_images/detail.php?idIndex=491&idContent=1849

I think that everyone can clearly see the change in the grill

The headlights are inspired by the Opel Flextreme concept

The belt line along the side of the vehicle is a lot higher, sharper and runs uniformly along the entire side of the vehicle.

The sides of the Ampera are sloped inward slightly making less room inside the vehicle but providing an exceptionally appealing look. The Volt has a boxier look, providing more room inside but looking more like a Prius. If you doubt me then take a look at the angle of the wheel well, you can clearly see the difference on the Ampera.

the paint….the Ampera is a mettalic gray with a fairly high gloss while the Volt has an element of electric blue mixed with iron gray for a duller, “matte” like finish. Hopefully we can get a wide variety of paint for either car.

Agreed ,
But in the negociations with the workers unions, it was agreed that the Antwerp GM plant will assemble Chevy models when the current Astra production will be discontinued and the new model production transfered to Germany and UK.

What Chevy models ? Difficult to know, but you are right, rumors say …

By the way, here is the link toward the official Opel communique (in French), yes the Ampera will have 4 places, 5 doors …

https://secure.opel.be/news/files/pdfs/03_27jan09_opel%20ampera_e-rev_fr.pdf

Well said.

You never know details of the deal even after money transfere. Actualy Opel Germany is not in bancrupcy position. But German government is wiling to give suport in case of emergency sitation for Opel. And this is politicaly O.K. for German government independently who are the owners. Speculation about rings and who is foolig who is not talking business and it is like some sort conspiracy theory. Sorry.

On other hand US government does not willing bailout Volvo or Saab and GM and Ford is talking about spin off or liquidate. Sweeds will be not able (or willing) support those two.

Statik, #49

I got an email confirmation from Chevrolet Belgium that the Volt will be sold in the country in 2011 but the price interval was not to disclosed for now.

Opel people in Belgium think the Volt and Ampera could be produced one day in the Antwerp GM assembly line (where the current Astra models are produced (The Saturn version of the Astra is made there)).
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Good info, thanks JC.

I agree that the Antwerp plant is the logical choice for the Volt’s Opel cousin, as it runs the original Delta plant now…although I think that the Astra is being discontinued from there isn’t it? I know they are still planning on making the next gen primarily out of Germany, and the UK…but you probably know better than I.

However, I think after ‘the strike’ in Belgium, GM offered them a couple new ‘unnamed’ models after the Astra moved? I would assume one might be the 2011 Opel Zafira? The other could be this ‘Ampera’? Seems like too far into the future, but who knows.

I was under the impression even before the ‘financial crisis,’ (and moreso now), that likely the Volt would be a stand alone production in Michigan…and we would see the entire project move to Europe for gen 2 for obvious Euro-economic reasons starting around 2015.

I’d love to hear any thoughts you have, generally being ‘right there’ leads to a certain ’sensible/honest’ knowledge that you can get nowhere else.

/always a rumoUr before the facts, lol

Statik,

This time you are not right supporting us with not accurate information.

German government bailout to the Opel 1,8 bil.
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Actually, I still am. Maybe our definitions are different. I count only agreed upon deals, The initial request had very little strings attached, was rebutted outright back in november:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/bailout-watch-165-germany-to-gm-%E2%80%9Cup-yours%E2%80%9D/

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In early January, Germany ‘tenatively’ agreed to give out ‘up to 1.8B euros,’ however, there is a pantload of strings attached to it which makes it almost impossible to accept. GM ould be more than pressed to even attempt to comply with. Starting of course with full disclosure, plant/work guarantees, retention of cash amounts inside Germany and of course the ‘what if’ GM doesn’t make it clauses.

/that is why GM has said or done nothing on this conditional bailout out since it was announced 3 weeks ago…this deal is like hocking your $5,000 wedding ring for $200, it gets you through the week, but you can never go back home