Opel Ampera Details Revealed

The new Opel Ampera has already made its debut at this year's Geneva Motor Show and now official details of Opel's version of the Chevrolet Volt have been released. It's powered by a gasoline engine that works in conjunction with a lithium-ion battery and can accelerate from 0-60 in a respectable time of nine seconds. The Ampera can reach a top speed of 100 mph and can travel 311 miles on a full tank. The Ampera comes fully equipped with an 18-foot long charging cable that is stored in the trunk. It uses a standard 230V/16A power outlet that allows owners to completely recharge the battery in less than four hours and program the charging time to take full advantage of lower electricity rates. The Ampera has passed over 50 crash tests from many angles and various speeds to ensure maximum safety for drivers. In addition to the high safety levels, the Ampera comes with a battery pack that can be easily disconnected in case of an emergency by rescue services. The interior features a Driver Information Center with a reconfigurable graphic display, Bose premium audio system, electronic climate control, and radio controls on the steering wheel. There's also an optional navigation system. Pricing for the Opel Ampera will begin at €42,900 ($61,753 at current exchange rates) and will go on sale later this year in Europe. Its Chevy Volt twin has a starting price of $41,000, so both models are about evenly priced.