General Motors is moving right along with extended-range plug-in hybrid development, as this 2012 Opel Ampera, sibling of the Chevrolet Volt, was spotted on a Michigan freeway over the weekend.
The resemblance to the Volt is unmistakable, but the unique front fascia on this prototype matches earlier versions of the Ampera seen at the Geneva auto show. The rear fascia has also been reworked with Opel-specific detailing, and though it's tough to see in this photo, the taillight clusters have been retrofitted with the amber turn signals required in Europe.
The drivetrain is exactly the same as the Volt's with a front-drive electric motor drawing power from a lithium-ion battery pack and a 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. The plan, of course, is to spread this drivetrain across a range of models to help bring costs down.
Opel plans to begin 2012 Ampera sales in late 2011. After that, we think the Volt MPV5 unveiled in Beijing might give rise to the next extended-range hybrid model for both Opel and Chevrolet.
mlevere1992 says:
10:25 AM, 05/17/10
Why does the Ampera look so much better than the Volt? Why does the US get the more generic versions of all of the vehicles than the ones they offer in Europe?
bimmerjay says:
01:31 PM, 05/17/10
So will the Ampera get its own version of the Volt Dance?
@mlevere1992,
Much of it has to do with the U.S. regulatory environment. It is much easier and less expensive to offer a wider array of engines, transmissions and build configurations in the EU. It also has to do with the markets. The U.S. market likes simple, packaged choices while Europeans want a la carte.