Ampera production 'takes off'

Date: 29/4/2010

Vauxhall has confirmed that its extended-range electric car, the Ampera, is coming closer to the market, with the first completed pre-production car having rolled off the assembly line.

The car offers up to 40 miles of electric-only driving, but once the onboard engine generator kicks in the car has a range of some 300 miles.

Pre-production models of the car are due to be tested by Vauxhall engineers before a final model hits the market, to ensure that all systems are optimally tuned and the car works as intended.

Andrew Farah, vehicle chief engineer for the Ampera, said: "We're right on target for producing the Ampera for European markets later next year."

He added that while there is still work to be done on the car, it is a "great accomplishment" to have a car to drive off the pre-production line.

Vauxhall, together with sister company Opel, is currently running a pan-European eco driving competition to find the continent's greenest driver. The winner of the competition will receive a new Ampera.