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Electric mobility is the best solution for reducing automobile emissions and
dependency on petroleum but if electric vehicles are to have a significant
benefit on the environment and society, they must be attractive to a wide
variety of buyers, not just city dwellers. Now this ambitious goal has become
considerably easier to reach - with the revolutionary Ampera electric car.
The majority of drivers will find an electric car, such as the Ampera,
remarkably easy to accept. That is because in addition to a powerful, 16 kWh
lithium-ion battery, it has a unique electric propulsion system that extends its
driving range. While providing all the benefits of state-of-the-art battery
electric vehicles, such as zero tailpipe emissions and spirited performance, the
innovative Ampera is not compromised by the typical disadvantages, such as
limited range or long hours of immobility spent recharging a large battery.
That makes the five-door, four-seat Ampera the first electric car in Europe
to give owners the freedom to drive wherever, whenever they want, with no
worries of being stranded with a depleted battery. The manufacturer's suggested
retail price throughout Europe for the base model starts at 42,900 Euros,
including national VAT. In Germany, with 19 percent VAT, the Ampera net price is
36,050 Euros. Because trim levels will differ from market to market, prices in
each country may differ. Sales start in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Some
competitors choose to split their offers for electric cars into two portions: a
base price for the car and a leasing rate for the battery pack. This does make
the price appear attractive because the battery leasing rate is not highlighted.
However, battery leases are paid monthly for several years, so the total cost is
roughly the same as a car whose total price includes both the car and the
battery. Opel's pricing scheme eliminates confusion by listing the total cost of
the car and battery. Opel is also researching customer preferences regarding
financing and leasing schemes for the Ampera. The company will announce these
options later.
"The Ampera defines a new class of e-mobility. No other
electric vehicle provides the freedom of individual transportation as the Opel
Ampera," said Alain Visser, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at
Opel. "We have compromised on nothing. The Ampera is a beautiful car that is as
fun to drive as it is packed with premium content."
Beautiful Design
The Ampera carries the DNA of Opel's new design language - a prominent
grille, bold Opel badge and daring boomerang headlamps. Every element of the
Ampera was designed and analyzed for efficiency, making the Ampera one of the
most aerodynamic and energy-efficient vehicles in the market.
Inside, the
Ampera is packed with the premium content fitting for a ground-breaking vehicle.
From Bose speakers to touch-screen monitors, this car brings mobility to the
21st century.
Opel Ampera: Review (2/2)