The new Ampera-e electric car, which will be unveiled at the Paris motor show later this month, will be evaluated in the UK by Vauxhall with the possibility of right-hand-drive models being produced in a future generation.

Due to be sold by Vauxhall’s sister company, Opel, from 2017 with left-hand-drive, the Ampera-e is claimed to have a class-leading pure electrical range that can exceed 250 miles without recharging. Even taking into account the real world impact of driving style, road and weather conditions, Vauxhall engineers say the car can still achieve a range of over 185 miles under average, every day conditions.

“Vauxhall is committed to having a future EV presence in its range,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s chairman and managing director. “The technology which underpins the new Ampera-e is of great interest to us, and we will be evaluating LHD cars from next spring and demonstrating them to clients.”

The range of 250 miles would beat the maximum 186-mile NEDC range of its closest competitor, the BMW i3, fitted with its optional, large 33 kWh battery.

The layout and packaging of the new Ampera-e’s ten battery modules also means that the 4.17 metre-long car can accommodate five people, as well as incorporating a 381-litre boot. The battery, developed in cooperation with LG Chem, comprises 288 lithium-ion cells and has a capacity of 60 kWh.

However, a right-hand-drive version of the new-generation model is definitely not in the pipeline.

“The fact that Ampera-e is not an eco-luxury or second car for customers broadens its appeal greatly, but it’s obviously vital that the car we sell in our market is right-hand-drive, and that won’t be available in the current generation,” explains Harvey.

In terms of performance, with maximum torque of 266 lb-ft and 201 bhp, the car’s standing-start and mid-range acceleration figures are on a par with many a sports car. Zero to 30 mph takes a claimed 3.2 seconds, while 50-75 mph – a particularly important yardstick for overtaking performance – is said to take 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 93 mph.

Source: Vauxhall

Tags: Ampera-e, electric car, EV, GM, LG Chem, Opel, Rory Harvey, UK, Vauxhall