·         Opel electric vehicle successfully completes first long-distance test
·         “Preparations on schedule for start of series production at end of 2011”

Geneva / Rüsselsheim. The first prototype of Opel’s production Ampera has successfully completed its long-distance drive debut from Rüsselsheim to the Geneva Motor Show. On the last leg of the over 500-kilometre journey, Opel CEO Nick Reilly took over the wheel to personally experience the quality and reliability of Opel’s extended-range electric vehicle.

Before starting off, the 16 kWh lithium-ion battery was charged at the newly installed recharging station at Opel’s headquarters. Gherardo Corsini, Director Electric Vehicle Implementation, headed to Switzerland initially using pure battery-electric power. After around 60 kilometres, near Heidelberg, the petrol-powered generator started up to seamlessly supply the Ampera’s electric motor with electricity. In Geneva, the battery was plugged into a conventional socket and re-charged.

“As 80 percent of drivers normally travel less than 60 kilometres per day, it is the exception rather than the rule that they experience the combustion engine in operation. Of course we want to be certain that the Opel Ampera also runs smoothly during long-distance operation,” said Reilly upon his arrival at the Geneva Palexpo grounds. “The positive results of our first long-distance drive with the Ampera demonstrate that we are on schedule for the start of series production at the end of next year. One year ago we presented the production design, and today we can already show the first prototype of the series production Ampera.”

The drive to Geneva was fun and exhilarating. The extremely quiet 111 kW/150 hp electric motor delivers 370 Newton meters torque from a standstill. It accelerates the Ampera from zero to 100 km/h in around nine seconds and enables a maximum speed of 161 km/h.
The Ampera’s first long-distance drive under real world conditions was accompanied by Opel’s own bloggers, who reported live from the road. The blog will continue until March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show and can be found at: