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Unveiled: Opel Ampera With Photo Gallery and Video
The Opel Ampera was unveiled today at the Geneva Auto Show. As we know, the vehicle uses the same platform as the Chevy Volt and the same extended-range electric drivetrain otherwise known as the Voltec propulsion system.
GM has been gradually teasing images of the car. Now we can see it all including the first look at the car’s interior.
The interior design is the same as the Volt but these photos let us see how the center console will appear in black as opposed to the white color GM has shown us in the Volt. This black coloration is expected as an option in the production Volt too.
I asked GM spokesperson Rob Peterson whether any of this styling could make its way to the Volt. He said “No, the production Volt is the production Volt, and the production Ampera is the production Ampera.”
PHOTO GALLERY BELOW:
VIDEO:
[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tx54B6ZQWI]
107 Responses to “Unveiled: Opel Ampera With Photo Gallery and Video”
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March 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I like the red door panels. (I’m first!)
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March 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
That looks sick. I like the styling of the Ampera better than that of the Volt — the details just look better. Obviously it’s the same body, but, just… better.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
The touch-panel does indeed look better in black.
The aggressive headlight detail which looked semi-cool on the initial concept simply looks weird on this body.
A model can change a lot in the details of it’s styling from one year to the next, and I hope nobody is ‘married’ to these exact details (ampera and volt).
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March 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Interesting that they used the older version of the display instead of the later model that is more integrated at the top of the dash.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I like the black console, it seems more integrated. Red is not my favorite color for an interior.
That said, pretty is as pretty does. One in my garage beats the perfect car on my monitor.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
This interior is much better. Black looks sharper and more elegant. I wonder if they will make both types for the US Volt
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March 2nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I know some have criticized GM for working on this car, but from what I can tell, this is just the Volt with some cosmetic changes.
As mentioned the other day, however, it is probably good marketing to sell it as an Opel, as it will have better appeal in Europe.
This should be a good car for Europe with its driving patterns and cost of fuel. More sales, whether in the US or Europe, will help to reduce costs for the Voltec system.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
This is just wonderful! The more PHEVs, hybrids, and EVs on the market the faster we dump the oil addiction. Keep up the great work GM! You guys are through the roof, good.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Awesome!
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March 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
10-88.
IMHO, this is a waste of slim to non-existant time and resources, as many pointed out on the previous thread.
If Opel is going to become independent of GM, as reported here the other day, who really cares?
LJGTVWOTR!! (hopefully before it’s too late)
No offense meant Dr. Dennis. Knowledge is power, and this site is the best source of news on “As the GM Turns” that I have found. I guess it’s even valuable to be aware of GM’s latest pot shot at its foot.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
The black color is SWEET!
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March 2nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Opel should be dead to GM. It’s pretty much being given away. Make a Vauxhall Ampera or something instead.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I like the interior photo better than what we have seen of the Volt. Maybe it is because it is not a light colored “pod” section with a darker interior dash. But this looks pretty good.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Americans want black electronics. Look at stereo equipment. Look at widescreen TVs. Look at DVD players. And for god’s sake stop looking at the iPod, which incidentally stopped being available in just white years ago. The white center consol was obviously a “me-too!” attempt at iPod coat-tails, and is already dated as the whole white look is already “out”. Go with black, period.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Since Opel is as good as gone, will this car even exist? Or is GM floating trial balloons on aesthetic changes it can make to the Volt under the guise of Ampera photo releases?
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March 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Black, all the way.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Now that I have taken time to look at all the pictures and video Lyle gave us, I wish I could see the Volt in the same type pictures and videos. But I guess it really is the Volt with just some differences here and there. Looks darn good. Good luck with it Opel. You should have a winner with the Volt and Flextreme mixed Ampera. I still like the Saturn/Opel Flextreme concept.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
It does make me wonder that if GM cuts Opel loose to a large extent, does this mean they will not get this car to manufacture? I would think they would still get it. Opel is a good name in Europe and although my first instinct is to tell GM to only sell Voltec under the Volt name plate, I can see why they are doing it under the Opel brand. Still can be considered part of GM’s global platform even if it is made in Europe and half owned by European investors, including the German government. Go Opel and GM.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I do like the black pod section better than the ipod white colored section. But, I think a blue, red, green or some other color to coordinate with the exterior color would look good also. I would not like to only have two choices of interior colors. I like beige leather look interiors and the black pod section would or may look OK with it. Be nice to see some sample pictures of different interiors that GM is proposing to build. This site would be a good place to get all kinds of feed-back, GM. Most of it would be beneficial and you could just ignore the bad comments of Toyota lovers, etc.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Ok…….. now i don’t find nasaman and the others who seemed so extreme when they said they’d go overseas to get one instead of a Volt… this thing looks way better! inside and out!
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Say, Lyle, is the NetLook counter on the home page a count down counter to the Volt introduction? I am assuming that it is. Pretty cool. I am one of those who keeps hoping GM will release it for sale on July 4, 2010. But, who knows, right?
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
*** Still 638 days to go ***
My Question is why did the non-USA VOLT have a name change in the first place? I mean chevy arn’t going to be direct competition to Opel with the Volt in Europe. This is the Volt…. Just Cooler…
The Opel ‘Lightning Bolt’ on the Volt is pretty ironic hey!
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
TALLPALL, have you seen the count down counter on the home page? Kinda reduces the need for you to remind us everyday. Makes yours redundant.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
As much as I hate to do it. I’ll cast my vote with the majority as well.
Black>white
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:42 pm
#23 N. Riley – Funny I just tuned out all the ad stuff and, in the process, missed the counter completely.
#24 statik – You moved to the “dark side” a long time ago.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
LOL.
How long has that AD been there!!!
PS. Glad to see your banking from it Lyle
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Dear all,
Since today it is possible to find on http://media.opel.be a whole description of the Ampera (except price and fuel consumption of the range extender).
The first sentence says “Opel Ampera commercialisée en 2011″, i.e. “Opel Ampera on sale starting 2011″.
So I think the Ampera is for real, today the German Government was ready to pay 5 billions of € to make Opel financially independent of GM NA and the documents insist on the fact the batteries of the Ampera are tested in Mainz. A lot of observers were also saying that Continental was also ready to supply batteries for the Ampera.
Time will tell, LJGTVWOTR!! as well as LJGTAWOTR !!
Regards,
JC NPNS
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
#25 DonC said:
#24 statik – You moved to the “dark side” a long time ago.
==========================
/insert Star Wars joke here
Side note: Although the last 6 cars I have bought (without the wife’s input)…all black, so you could be right, lol.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I concur — the black looks better — and more practical. The ipod dash will look grimy and dingy in no time once we Americans start pushing the buttons without wiping the grease off our fingers from the french fries we’re scarfing while driving…..
Of course, they NEVER do that in Canada, do they, Statik?
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I like the interior! If the end result of the fit/finish for both cars is similar to that of a new Malibu, I’ll be a very happy camper indeed.
I dunno about the front exterior, though. It looks like it’s “crying” for some odd reason. Either that or I’ve really gotten used to the Volt pic on my desktop background.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Is no crying. Is Sabre Toothed Tiger. Eat Toyodors and Houndogs.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
def looks better in these colors, I hope the volt has those interior color options
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Black Gold is trading for $40.08 / barrel at 4:39pm EST today.
Good news for the Volt, anything above $40 and the Volt lives.
Below $40 and the Volt dies a premature death (within 3 years of launching)
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
#28 statik says “Although the last 6 cars I have bought (without the wife’s input)…all black”
Mine are always white. Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha!
There is a practical reason for this. I went to look at colors at the dealer on a Sunday when it was closed. I put my hand on a nice dark blue one and just about burned it. Ouch. Then I put my hand on a white one. Nothing. Tried all the colors and the white one was definitely the best. Plus you don’t have to wash it that much.
Maybe you WANT to retain that heat up there in the frozen north?
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Stay with Black !
Like my last four wives (all white) still say today:
Once you had black you will never go back !
Yeah baby.
Note: wife number 5 is another, you guessed it, hot white mama.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
#33 Texas Tea. Say’s
Black Gold is trading for $40.08 / barrel at 4:39pm EST today. Good news for the Volt, anything above $40 and the Volt lives.
________________________
Not such good news for the Volt today i think. Oil is down $4.68 today to $40.08. Every month new futures jump the price back above $40, but it drops back below $40 within a couple of days.
It shouldn’t matter come Nov 2010. Oil will be back up to $60 – $70 by then, all good.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
#21 N Riley
“I am one of those who keeps hoping GM will release it for sale on July 4, 2010. But, who knows, right?”
And counting on my fingers and toes, I see the NetLook counter is assuming the “end” of the month, at that.
I’m hoping you’re right, but I would be very surprise/ pleased, if GM shipped the Volt earlier. “But, who knows, right?”
=D~~~~
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March 2nd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Black helps this otherwise lame interior. (He asks futily) GM, may I please have my Volt with the Cruze interior?? Pretty please!! I feel like you owe me after what you did to the outside. LOL
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March 2nd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Just curious. Ampera vs Volt. Gas in Europe is much more expensive making the Ampera more attractive in that market. However I’m willing to bet more people in North America (read that U.S, and Canada) have access to electricity where they park because they have private garages.
Just a guess but the population density in Europe would indicate far more people live in multi family units with parking garages (if they have a garage space at all).
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March 2nd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Why the hell does GM think Americans don’t like aggressive styling? No wonder they’re going bankrupt. If they keep this crap up, my next car will definitely be foreign.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
The biggest benefit of the black console is aging. While some plastics can retain their original brightness, what if the white VOLT console starts to yellow? Some areas of the console could turn darker sooner, making the car appear older before its time.
The biggest disadvantage to the black console is heat. A good quality sun shield should help while parked.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
“It shouldn’t matter come Nov 2010. Oil will be back up to $60 – $70 by then, all good.”
Except then GM won’t be there. There is absolutely no scenario that GM survives this worsening recession. I really wanted a Volt too, but there will be other EVs.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
#42 Wes B
Do you not think that the Volt will survive through all of this turmoil? I would bet that the last thing standing would be the Volt. (That is if OB-1 has anything to do with it). Last i heard he was pretty powerful!
I still want to know when the site copied my countdown. They’ll sell anything these days. LOL. At least they didn’t change the timing.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 6:56 pm
#29 FME III:
You meant Freedom Fries, right?
#43 TALLPALL:
Keep up the count down. I think it’s good to have it right here in our face every day. Thanks.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
The black console looks better than white. But I do not prefer a black interior either. I just think that the console would look better as the interior color. To each his own on this one…
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
solo2500nt says:
Just curious. Ampera vs Volt. Gas in Europe is much more expensive making the Ampera more attractive in that market. However I’m willing to bet more people in North America (read that U.S, and Canada) have access to electricity where they park because they have private garages.
Just a guess but the population density in Europe would indicate far more people live in multi family units with parking garages (if they have a garage space at all).
______________________________
England has a population of about 50 million people and is roughly the size of the state of Georgia. A large percentage of the poulation live in townhomes or duplex’s, and do park on the street or a paved front yard. But to be honest the NEW-car buying percentage do have single samily homes with garages. So there will be no problem until the Ampera hits the second hand car market.
#44 noel parc
Thanks mate. I will
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Better looking than the Volt. I guess that’s because Europe demand demands styling in their cars and the US just gets yawner cars.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Will it be available in the US?
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Has any car ever had a count down before? for over 600 days? Has any car maker ever given a start date over 2 years ahead of time? If so did they deliver on time? So many questions so little time.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
If i wasn’t such a newby it would have had a 1000+ day countdown…….
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
#20, Mike D ……”Ok…….. now i don’t find nasaman and the others who seemed so extreme when they said they’d go overseas to get one instead of a Volt… this thing looks way better! inside and out!”
==========================================================================
You can quote me, Mike….. It may seem extreme, but the Volt looks boring by contrast, and “I’ll go overseas to get one instead of a Volt… this thing looks way better! inside and out!”
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Bob Lutz states the following regarding Opel:
The largest U.S. automaker would like to maintain “technical and operational” control of Opel as it seeks 3.3 billion euros ($4.2 billion) in aid from Europe and $1.2 billion in cost cuts, Lutz said.
—————————————–
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=GM%3AUS&sid=aC_7VPYdIN_Q
So I’m not sure GM is looking to relinquish control of Opel just yet.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
The Ampera should be release ahead of the Volt. Europeans are far more advanced in alternative transport than the U.S. with their monster trucks and below 20mpg gas guzzlers. We deserve this car. Americans have so much waste in their bloodlines they just don’t know any better. If GM wants to keep any part Opel then we demand the Ampera FIRST !!!
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
#53 Jurgen Schmidt says
If GM wants to keep any part Opel then we demand the Ampera FIRST !!!
—————————————————————–
Fine with me.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Jurgen, I hope you take no offense, but if Europe is so advanced, why aren’t they bringing their advanced EREV vehicles to the USA?
Oh, I forgot, they don’t have any yet. Yes, it is taking GM’s full effort to survive the global economic meltdown while keeping this vehicle on track, but the VOLT / Ampera will prove to be the key to jump starting GM’s revival.
Europe is a great market for this type of vehicle, and Opel is GM’s lead brand there, so it makes sense to bring out an Opel version for Europe. I take the advancement of this model as a GREAT sign that progress on the US VOLT remains on track. They are not diluting their efforts – they are building a global case for economic viability for the whole VOLTEC drivetrain. GM needs this to become a global success….
Go VOLT. Go GM. Hang in there VOLT Nation!
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
+1 on the black console.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 pm
So did anyone figure out if Ampera owners will have to carry an array of different plugs for the multitude of different plug standards whilst driving through the EU?
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
#34 DonC
Mine are always white. Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha!
There is a practical reason for this. I went to look at colors at the dealer on a Sunday when it was closed. I put my hand on a nice dark blue one and just about burned it. Ouch. Then I put my hand on a white one. Nothing. Tried all the colors and the white one was definitely the best. Plus you don’t have to wash it that much.
Maybe you WANT to retain that heat up there in the frozen north?
=============================
/I buy black because it makes me look sexy…nuff said.
(=
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March 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Side note: I’d also like to mention that tomorrow on the calender we find February Carmageddon numbers released from everyone.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4637/armageddon29zb.jpg
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March 2nd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Whats with the patterns on the inside of the doors?
Is that a schematic to the car just in case?!?!?
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March 2nd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I like the styling. Black interior gives a an upgrade appearance to the plain-jane “i-pod” white of the volt. I would assume the second year model would porvide alternate interior colors including black.The grill looks very destinctive. If you see this grill in your review you know exactly what is coming. Very out of the box styling. Just what goes perfect with the out of the box engineering.
I guess at this point, lets just pray for any VOLT (hopefully an affordable one) to get to market ASAP!!
I love it!!
GO-VOLT
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March 2nd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Offer it as Volt “Euro Spec”
It will out sell the Volt.
GM wake up. It’s like having Chocolate when only Vanilla was available.
Do both here. It’s only minor cosmetic tweaks…but what a nice difference.
Rob Peterson…..wake up dude. “No” coming from a company at the edge of a cliff…wow…amazing confidence from people that demonstrate how to kill a company.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I have been back to this site a few times today, and my god the Ampera is getting better looking every time. The front end is seriously racy.
I feel like i am cheating on the Volt by eyeing up her Sexier, younger looking sister. Hmmm. It does make the Volt look a little plain
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March 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I do like the black interior better, but I’m still not sure about the gloss finish with fingerprints and all.
I don’t really prefer the Ampera to the Volt, but I do like the grill detail of the Ampera a little better.
Stew
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March 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Timaaayyy like the Vampera, but not as much as my convertible nano-electric propulsion device.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7QL2eTUMFw&feature=related
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March 2nd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
The the more ‘blah’ the Volt is the cheaper it will be. Were the opel version will look better but most likely cost more because of the fancier cosmetics. For example, a car with more bends in the sheet metal will take longer to push off the assembly line which requires more working of the metal and more exotic machines. Thus racking up the price
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March 2nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
The black looks awesome! Very sophisticated and clean. And with the stylized red door panels, this color combo is a definite WIN!
The Ampera’s styling beats the Volt’s styling hands down. Even still, the Volt is not an ugly car by any means.
Make the black console an option FOR SURE! As well as multiple color choices for the door panels!
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March 2nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Ampera have gone with the sensible approach. The Voit dash in white will go yellow, grey then crack in no time at all. The carbon black in black dashboard materials is more than just for looks – it is to give it resistance to UV light. Think of irrigation hose for the garden – everything is black. The Volt’s white plastic components is going to look dreadful in as little as 2-3 years, shorter if it sees the sun all day long.
Secondly, if economy and efficiency was what GM were after, why did they not go with a diesel-electric hybrid – far better economy than gasolene-electric. But then the maintenance would be less and where are they going to make their money from the servicing business?
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March 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I vote for Black Volt.
White is not a color.
White is the absence of color.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
So is black
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March 2nd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I now want an Ampera — wonder of it will still qualify for tax break if I buy in Europe and ship it home?
Just wishful thinking I guess.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 10:49 pm
When will car companies make a front and read bumper that actually is made for the real world instead of the imaginary world that has no curbs, fire hydrants and where nobody backs into my bumper in a parking lot causing 800 dollars in damage with just a slight nudge.
These bumpers are so fragile – make them out of rubber of some kind of gel… The volt and Ampera follow in this stupid design school of thought…
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March 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 pm
We are all a bunch of fools thinking that GM will ever produce any of these cars. They are more interested in taxpayer bailouts for their Cadillac Hybrids and more hog cars. SCREW EM!!!
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March 3rd, 2009 at 12:35 am
That’s the interior I want for my volt. Black makes it look sleeker and sexy. But I want the exterior as is on the volt(with matching paint and crome rims with the spokes also blackened). Oh baby.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 am
Yes, the black dash looks pretty good.
I still think the ultimate interior is a dull white with black marbling. This should be carried from the door inserts all the way around the upper dash strip and down the main iPOD console. Including the cup holders (inserts?). Euro-classic and very cool.
BTW: Be it right or wrong. President Obama has a serious desire to get the wheels of the Volt on the road. The Volt is coming. The questions remaining are: In what form, at what volume, and at what sticker price (less tax credit).
=D~
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March 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 am
Dave K @75,
That’s the muli-billion dollar question isn’t it. Guess well find out soon enough, huh?
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March 3rd, 2009 at 1:25 am
Black looks so much better on the center console. But I’m not sure the shiny finish would be practical. Looks like a fingerprint magnet.
My vote: Matte Black. Maybe with a shiny black bezel around it, or on areas that fingers won’t be touching.
ATTN GM: Not everyone is a mac fan.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 am
both Volt and Ampera are tamed way down compared to their concepts. I’ve posted that a hundred times, the new design has made this car worse. Wont matter. GM will push out its typical crap looking design as usual. I feel bad for their design department to have come up with something really incredible and modern and have it squashed over a design such as this. I Never owned a GM, & probably never will. The concept of both had me waiting at the wings for a chance to test drive. GM frustrates all of us. To add to the frustrations, it wont even match their estimated cost, and sticker price to sell.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 am
“The the more ‘blah’ the Volt is the cheaper it will be. Were the opel version will look better but most likely cost more because of the fancier cosmetics. For example, a car with more bends in the sheet metal will take longer to push off the assembly line which requires more working of the metal and more exotic machines. Thus racking up the price.”
Uhh, I just had to follow up with a remark. GM owns the “exotic machines” already. The cost of building a press would be no greater having a few curves in it vs. having a lot. Plus, great looking cars will sell if the price is within say The Ford Mustang price range. These things are mostly plastic anyhow. GM has you fooled.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 am
Go to 1 min. 47 sec. of interview and listen carefully, the interviewer says and F. Weber does not deny that the Ampera bettries will be made by GM Europe.
Your views ?
http://www.gmeurope.tv/index.php?mo=0903FrankWeberAmpera_en&channel=mostrecent
JC LJGTAWOTR !!
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March 3rd, 2009 at 3:13 am
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:26 am
I said it before and now most people .. the black console is better … more fucnctional – good german design less reflection and much less wank factor than the white one.
I hope GM give us the option – I want the Ampera Black console one !
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March 3rd, 2009 at 5:09 am
Just a “on the back of an envelope” computation : the press file on http://media.opel.be gives some indications of the advantages of the Ampera :
You save 1700 l of gas per day if you drive 60 kms per day and 2200 l of gas per year if you drive 100 kms per day.
That is, you use the range extender 40kms per day or 14600 kms per year.
Using the data above, it is estimated that the average car use 7,73 l of gas/100kms, so it uses 2821.5 l of gas per year (when driving 100kms per day) less 2200 l gas saved when you are on pure electric driving mode.
We are thus left with 651,5 l of gas used by the range extender to make 14 600 km per year. That makes 4,25l/100km for the range extender.
If my computation is correct,, using the range extender without never charging the battery saves 7, 73 – 4,25 = 3,5 l of gas / 100kms.
That means that a 45% saving of gas consumption may be achieved by this technology independently of the battery technology.
I wonder why the car makers didn’t implement this known technology (in the trains) earlier.
Any clues ?
JC LJGTAWOTR !!
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March 3rd, 2009 at 6:00 am
I like the Opel Ampera better than the Volt.
It is just a nicer looking car.
I am surprised on how big the side views are though. I would have thought they would either be smaller or more aerodynamic. They look like a block of wood instead of something coming to a point.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 7:15 am
#83 Jean-Charles….. I always appreciate your comments, including this one, after which you pose the question I think several others may have also thought about, “I wonder why the car makers didn’t implement this known technology (in the trains) earlier.”
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The Voltec architecture, including the battery, allows the gasoline engine to be much more efficient (smaller & operated over a limited rpm range) than if the battery were omitted. This is a result of the battery’s huge energy/power reserve, which is instantly available to supply the traction motor’s demands of two basic kinds:
1) A large surge of current needed to accelerate rapidly
2) A long, heavy drain of current to climb steep grades
Without a battery, the small engine/generator combination by itself would “bog down” in either of these two cases …..in other words, be unable to meet the dynamic demands of normal driving. (I believe diesel-electric trains don’t need to accelerate very rapidly or to climb steep grades, yet I understand trains sometimes have large batteries as well.)
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March 3rd, 2009 at 7:20 am
By the way, I also like the Ampera’s interior design & color scheme better than the Volt interiors we’ve seen — especially the black center console!
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March 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 am
I noticed in one picture that the drive options are PRNDL (I assume Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low). How does low gear work without a transmission?
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March 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 am
Jean-Charles Jacquemin @ 80
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 am
Great video, I watched it three times. The interior is gorgeous. The second half of 2011 seems so far away.
Could be a future for Saturn yet importing these. I’m sure nasaman will be making his views known to his local dealer!
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March 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 am
I think GM should put a printer in the dash so you can make your own skins for the interior. Get real.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 7:58 am
I was watching CNBC this this morning (early–worldwide exchange at 4AM FTW) and saw this interview (now web hosted).
Fritz Henderson talking about February numbers: “February will be weak in the US, we expected it to be weak, it will be weak. It’ll be an exceptionally weak fleet month. We would expect the overall … level to be again at levels that we haven’t seen since the early 1980s and exceptionally weak.”
So…weak then?
Then he adds, “We expect to see SAAR levels at where we have never seen them before…early 80s level, exceptionally weak.”
This is Fritz tipping his hand/warning just hours before the numbers drop as well (He is up early for the Geneva show)…I’m guess we are not only going to see a ‘doozey’ from GM, but from everyone today.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/29477442
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March 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 am
May be volt interior is ceramic / glass ( ipod like may can translate to materials used also) than plastic.
The black looks better even if its ceramic or glass.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 am
#83 Jean-Charles,
Excellent find on the Ampera.
I did the math and like you came up with similar numbers. For those of us who are metrically challenged, the base car was assumed to get 30.3 mpg (perhaps a European average), while the Ampera in range extended mode (ICE on) gets 54 mpg.
I looked at this in more detail earlier this week and posted my analysis in the forum. The link is here.
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2541
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March 3rd, 2009 at 8:41 am
To EVERYONE that thinks Toyota is doing so well, and that this is a GM/ Chrysler / Ford thing only..read here:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090303/AUTO01/903030401/1148/rss25
Granted not as big as NA operations, but when the mighty T is thinking about 2 Billion USD in loans..you know that the auto market has taken a s**t kickin…I mean really..to coin some trolls here..they made over a TRILLION YEN last year..didn’t they save any of it?
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March 3rd, 2009 at 8:47 am
Thanks Nasaman #85 and BillR #92.
I think other car makers could make parallel hybrids wih a smaller battery than the Volt to answers the nasaman’s remarks.
Regards,
JC LJGTAWOTR !!
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March 3rd, 2009 at 8:54 am
Dang! This post has been up since yesterday and I missed it (busy day yesterday, took me all day just to get through the EV Pickup discussion).
Count me in the “I like the black console” camp as well. Did anyone else notice that there isn’t a hood over the center console screen?
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March 3rd, 2009 at 9:38 am
They shouldn’t even put a dash in. Just the bare instruments. It be cheaper, more room, less expensive AND HIGHLY customizable.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 9:39 am
I always thought the iPod-white center console looked hideous. And I’ve always liked black, so I think this look is much better.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
#92 BillR – Not that it’s a big deal, but for the 2011 model year, and the Volt will be a 2011 model, the EPA test will be five cycle, including a bit of US06 and cold starts. Until then the manufacturers have the option of using the two cycle urban/highway with a multiplier which we can assume gives higher ratings than the five cycle. FWIW keep in mind that the “Highway” is a misnomer. It should be called “Rural” since it’s a fairly leisurely drive down country roads.
#94 Jean-Charles Jacquemin says “I think other car makers could make parallel hybrids wih a smaller battery than the Volt to answers”
This would be possible but not really advantageous. First, having two propulsion systems and two drive trains is more expensive and complex than having two propulsion systems and one drive train. Second, and more importantly, the greatest benefit the Volt offers is the ability to use very low cost energy from the grid. If the battery becomes smaller then you are relying on the ICE, which means that you are going to spend six times more to run it, use twice as much gas, and emit five times more pollution (five times more initial starts).
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March 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 am
DonC #98
You are probably right if electricity prices are staying at the low price we know now during off peak hours but in my country cheap nuclear eletricity may disapear because no new nuke plant may be built.
In fact I think I should apply for French nationality (they are building three new generation N-Plants right now).
Regards,
JC LJGTAWOTR !!
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March 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
“The Ampera presented in Geneva was a white four-door sedan with a hatchback — and a set of front headlights that created a menacing, masculine impression. An Opel official demonstrated how the car could easily be plugged into any household electrical supply.” from http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/03/business/EU-Geneva-Motor-Show.php.
See, the existing infrastructure is already ready to start getting plug ins on the road. The grid can still improve as more plug ins hit the roads. This brilliant, obvious action of Opel to show how the Ampera just plain easily works in domestic settings, as is, starts to make up for GM’s recent horrible PR and marketing miscues with the Volt in the US. Oh, I forgot, GM is getting rid of Opel.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 11:19 am
OMG Nasaman, the Opel’s grille is non-functional as well!
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-opel-goes-voltec-ampera-coming-in-late-2011/
Second paragraph: “Like the Volt, most of the front fascia is closed off to optimize aerodynamics.”
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March 3rd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Now that’s a great looking car! Get that to market (including the US market!) and I can put it alongside my Ford Escape hybrid.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 6:13 pm
My vote is for black on the Volt, too!
I’m one of many here, so get going with your contacts there, Lyle!
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March 3rd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Wow, does the center stack look better in “piano black” than in “bathroom sink white.” Please, please Chevy won’t you give us an option for black.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
They should have use the Opal GT body, It would have been cooler.
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March 4th, 2009 at 3:22 am
I like the Ampera styling and color much better than the Volt.
If I am able to spend the amount of money GM wants for the Volt, then I want everyone to visually see that my car is DIFFERENT both in styling and in engineering from everyone else , the Ampera makes this obvious.
“Piano black” is highly desired–look at Samsung using this color on all electronics
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March 7th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I like this version better. I might stick with my BMW just because I don’t want to buy an electric malibu.
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