GM Combines Electric Drive & E85 Flex-Fuel in Opel Ampera

It should be clear by now that the Chevrolet Volt is no one-act show. GM is quite serious about commercializing electric drive and is underscoring this with a sequence of range-extended electric vehicle debuts at international auto shows on multiple continents, all powered in somewhat different ways than the one before it. The latest in the series is the Opel Ampera that was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, which adds E85 ethanol capability to GM’s electric propulsion system.

GM Europe’s design director, Phil Zak, calls the car upscale and sporty, “building on Opel’s theme of sculptural forms and expressive lines.” The sedan is clearly influenced by the Opel Flextreme concept that debuted at the 2007 Frankfort Auto Show. That vehicle exhibited a range extended electric architecture similar to that of the Chevy Volt but with a diesel engine-generator rather than one fueled by gasoline, a nod to diesel’s popularity in Europe.

Like the Flextreme, the Ampera’s design incorporates dramatic V-shaped headlamp assemblies with foglights at the bottom. An equally aggressive lower grille opening accents the design. These design cues are much wilder than the design elements of the Volt. Still, in other ways the Ampera is decidedly Volt-like in nature, especially from the rear with its high horizontal taillamps and angular lines.

Exterior cues aside, what’s important is beneath the sheetmetal. The Ampera is powered by GM’s Voltec system, formerly known as ‘E-Flex.’ As is the case with all Voltec models, this car is powered by electric drive at all times. It’s plugged into a standard 230 volt electrical outlet to charge its lithium-ion batteries for an approximate 40 mile battery electric range. For extended trips, the E85 ethanol flexible-fuel engine creates electricity to power the wheels for an additional 300 miles.

Inside, the Ampera offers a roomy interior with accommodations for four. Its color theme is sporty with black, grey, and red accents. Advanced electronics are prevalent, with the most high profile examples provided by a center LCD information screen that includes charging options, navigation, and more. The instrument panel features a full LCD display with an array of information in graphic representations including speedometer, fuel efficiency, range-to-empty for gas/ethanol and electric drive systems, battery and fuel tank levels, and other powertrain functions.

GM Europe says the Ampera will come to market in 2011. It will also be offered as a right-hand drive model by Vauxhall, Opel’s counterpart brand in the UK.