Opel Ampera-e, the twin of Chevrolet Bolt for Europe has been revealed at the Paris Motor Show.
Take a look at the pictures of the just unveiled Opel Ampera-e. If you think that you have seen this car somewhere – you are right! The 2017 Opel Ampera-e is actually the twin of the Chevrolet Bolt, just for Europe. This compact hatchback that is pure electric will sell under General Motor’s brand from Germany. Its rivals in Europe will be Renault Zoe, Nissan Leaf, and Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric.
If you take a really close look you will conclude the two cars, Ampera-e and Bolt, are completely the same, but in fact, they are not. This difference actually cannot be seen physically. GM revealed that the Opel version will receive a lower official mileage estimate of 300 km. That is about 186 miles per charge, substantially less than 238-mile range quoted by GM in the USA. The European model’s figure is calculated by the New European Driving Cycle test, not by the EPA cycle, like in the case of Chevy Bolt. Officially, Opel Ampera-e figures offer the longest range in the class easily.
Interestingly, one Ampera-e was driven from London to Paris, where the famous motor show was held, in order to unveil the car there. Total distance was 417 km and company claims that the car arrived with more than 80 km still showing on the car’s range indicator. According to GM, it can reach the speed of 50 km/h, which is the equivalent of 31 mph, in 3.2 seconds which is a more than decent result.
It won’t be sold outside mainland Europe, not even in the UK due to the GM’s decision not to convert the car to the British market (right side wheel). This information totally confused British media, for example, the Autocar.
As for the colors, the most screaming version of the Chevy Bolt in the US is orange. However, Europeans will be able to pick this loud, squeaky yellow as an option. On the other hand, anyone who wishes to drive this German car in Europe will have to wait for it a bit longer than the Americans for the Chevrolet. While the US buyers will have the opportunity of purchasing it this fall, Europeans will have to wait for spring of 2017.
