The Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant is now able to deliver more Volts as well as export-bound Opel and Vauxhall Amperas.

In the meantime General Motors is getting European journalists charged up by introducing them and others to its solutions for exorbitant petrol.

Recently, UK journalist Robert Llewellyn posted an over-10-minute video review of the Vauxhall Ampera. The video features him driving a left-side-drive (American style) car.

UK buyers are eligible for a £5,000 government grant for the Volt or Ampera. The Vauxhall Ampera is £33,995 (about $55,435) and will be made available in the UK Spring, 2012.

The quite similar Chevrolet Volt will be £28,545 (about $46,548).

Since the Volt is so much like the Ampera but $8,887 less, we asked a European Chevrolet media spokesperson why this was.

"Technically the cars are identical. Every brand has its own pricing strategy," said Cornelia Harodt. "Chevrolet bases the price on the U.S. price for a comparably equipped car plus costs for transportation, homologation, duties, etc."

CORRECTION:
Various sources are in the habit of publishing the UK Volt/Ampera prices as either pre-grant or post-grant. The actual price discrepancy is about £500 (around $820). When we first saw the price discrepancy reported in another reputable publication, we thought perhaps this was either a mistake or a radical price change since last time we reported on these cars, We attempted to avoid error by quoting these widely varying prices in question, and specifically asking several GM media reps. Unfortunately even though we eventually got one to comment, and another to say she had nothing to add, no one corrected the error so it made it to print.

What ever the case, Llewellyn is a regular reviewer of plug-in vehicles, and if his reaction is any indicator of how the buying public will respond to the Ampera, GM should be in for a fairly warm reception.

That is all we’ll say, lest we spoil his commentary.

[polldaddy poll=5270082]

 

I like the looks of the ampera, i think GM should bring that car over here as a buick but i still miss the cadillac converj, that car is awsome. maybe in a few years. in the mean time, still waiting for my volt this january....

 

This may be a worn out request, but we ask GM to please bring out the Buick Electra version! If not for the 2012 model year, which has started production, then for the 2013 model year, when GM has a year to plan and develop that model.

Although the Chinese market may be bigger, GM must comply to the American buyers, too. Make it the new Buick flagship, but please remember to manufacturer sufficient vehicles to cover the whole U.S. including all of its territories.

Raymond

 

Terrific review! Llewellyn is a highly-regarded reviewer/critic of EVs & this 10m video, although it has little new to us here at gm-volt, is well worth a look (if only for watching Llewellyn's amusing style). I've always liked the Ampera's distinctive styling. But because of its much higher price, and as I said in a comment here yesterday, I'll wait for the gorgeous SS Volt Z-Spec (let's all hope for it, OK?)

 

I like the Ampera and when I first saw Robert's review of it a number of weeks ago now, I liked the idea about having control over the electrical usage so you can use it when you need to rather than being stuck having it all being used at the beginning of your trip like the Volt.

Unfortunately though Australia will only be getting the Volt which is also a great car and will be good to see it in 2012 but would be jealous if the US/Europe/UK got the Ampera as well as the Volt.

 

Voted for make a CUV. Would have voted for make a CUV, minivan, or other distinct model before selling the Ampera too. If they make a Buick and/or (preferably and) a Caddy, they should be more unique designs like the Converj. As far as the Ampera, Chevy should definitely offer some of the features of the Ampera as options: hold mode, painted lower molding, painted bottom rear of trunk lid (actually the entire rear of the Ampera is a nicer design IMO).

 

I like the rear of the Ampera better than the Volt. It would have been nice if they had just introduced one vehicle, a Volt using the Ampera rear end, instead of several flavors of the same thing. The development funds saved by not doing different skins of the same thing could have been applied to a CUV version.

Having said that, I'm very happy with my Volt. I look forward to driving it every day.

 

Koz "Voted for make a CUV. Would have voted for make a CUV, minivan, or other distinct model before selling the Ampera too"

I'm with you on wanting a minivan version of the Volt. I've got 2 kids already and can't justify buying a 4 seater as bad as I want the Volt. GM doesn't really make minivans anymore but maybe it's time to get back in the game. A 7 seater Volt would be perfect. Look at how much people pay for a Sienna and Odyssey ($40K ish), prices are already high so the cost of a voltec drivetrain might not make the MegaVolt much higher than a comparably equipped Japanese Minivan.

 

Gsned57 : Koz “Voted for make a CUV. Would have voted for make a CUV, minivan, or other distinct model before selling the Ampera too”I’ve got 2 kids already and can’t justify buying a 4 seater as bad as I want the Volt. .

I have a 4 yr old and a 3 week old and they obviously are taking up the back seats on my Volt but you know what, we also have a CRV and with two car seats there is no room for anybody back there either and so it is effectively a four seater as well. The point being, for right now, the Volt works just fine for our family of four. With that said, I just picked my mom up from the airport and if the five of us have to go anywhere we will have to take two cars.

Obviously not an ideal situation and one that screams for a Voltec minivan which I will gladly buy in 3 to 4 years when battery costs come down and economies of scale start to kick in.

 

I would like to see a bigger sedan like Impala-sized. Bring back a split-bench for 6- passenger seating. Maybe a sport wagon as well.

 

Even though I personally have no desire for a CUV, I voted for it becuase it would help replace some of the biggest gas guzzlers. It would also target a new group who never would consider electric cars in the past.

 

Kup : one that screams for a Voltec minivan which I will gladly buy in 3 to 4 years when battery costs come down

Koz : Would have voted for make a CUV, minivan,

Gsned57 : I’m with you on wanting a minivan version of the Volt.


It may not take as long as you think, and it may not be a Volt, but hopefully Bright Automotive will also provide passenger vans. GM did partner w/these guys last year I believe, so maybe they will use some portions of Voltec in the design.
http://www.brightautomotive.com/

 

I voted for the CUV, but only because a mini-van option was not available. My wife owns a Honda Odyssey and she loves it. I like it also, but I wish it was just a tad smaller (just a tad, now) and had the Voltec drive train in it. I guess that is why I will seriously look at the Toyota Prius V when it becomes available. She does not want a sedan like the Volt or the Leaf. She wants a vehicle that can carry a little more and has a higher floor sill. Her knees hurt her getting in and out of my Honda Accord EX-L (which I sold earlier this month).

I will look at the Ford Escape Hybrid also. I understand Ford is redesigning the Escape. Anyone have any information on that?

But all this is good. Good article. Good video. Good for us all to see more information.

 

I was meeting with some business partners from Belgium. They had not heard of the Volt or Ampera so I gave them a ride. They were quite impressed and took pictures of the first electric car they had ever been in.

 

If this is the same video I saw before, the right hand drive car Llewellen is driving at the beginning portion of the video is a LEAF - check out the window contour of the rear passenger door behind him; it's no Volt.

I've wondered out loud before on GM's strategy to sell the Volt and Ampera together. The price difference is rather large for reasons that aren't clear. Aside from the styling mods and upholstery changes, both appear to be the same other than name.

I've felt that on a corporate level, GM is sitting on the fence with the Vauxhall and Opel brands while hedging their bet with their ongoing establishment of Chevrolet as their leading global brand. The Ampera/Volt sales strategy is essentially a test of the European market - success of the Ampera would prove the Vauxhall and Opel brands have more than a pulse; their value for GM would be confirmed. Meanwhile sales success for the Chevrolet Volt in Europe would further solidify Chevrolet as a viable brand for Europe, and put GM in a position of greater flexibility and control from a marketing point of view..... the message they can send the market via the Chevrolet brand would be free of any of the cobwebs and baggage held by the Opel and Vauxhall brands.

GM knows it has a winner with the Volt/Ampera. In a sense, it is the needle on the compass for them, and whichever way it points to is the direction GM will likely be headed in Europe in the years to come.

 

nasaman : I’ll wait for the gorgeous SS Volt Z-Spec

As long as it upholds the meaning of 'SS' and has more oomph. 0-60 at around 9 seconds is not SS territory. It needs to come in at about 6 seconds and have a higher top end (say 120mph).

It'd also be cool if it was a two-door with a little less weight.

There are multiple threads here about it, but, can you imagine using all 400+ lb-ft of torque at once? Awesome.

 

stuart22 ,

Good catch. I think you are right about the LEAF in the beginning. Looks like a Nissan logo on the steering wheel and interior roof line looks like a LEAF. The review is ambiguous in this regard. Why start an Ampera review in a LEAF and say I'm not driving the LEAF? Unless you are a regular follower, you could easily miss that subtlety.

Also, he says the U.S. and Euro versions are different, but GM says they are "technically" the same.

I e-mailed both media reps for Vauxhall and neither replied. Only the Chevy reps from the U.S. and Europe out of the four fact checks I put out there gave any answers and they were minimal.

 

Jeff Cobb : Why start an Ampera review in a LEAF and say I’m not driving the LEAF? Unless you are a regular follower, you could easily miss that subtlety.
This is not a big deal. The video starts as he's driving to pick up the Ampera and he's driving his usual car -- which happens to be a Leaf. If you've looked at his other videos this is apparent. If this is one of the few you've seen then probably not.

Having said that, I think he's biased against the Ampera. The review is not that positive by his standards. That may also not be obvious unless you've seen this other videos. Usually he's waxing eloquent. I think this just comes down to the weird thinking that some have with respect to the Volt. For example, over in the Leaf forum you'll see many disparage the Volt for "using gas" yet at the same time they freely admit to having an ICE vehicle for when they need it. Apparently a "hybrid solution" -- having an EV AND and ICE -- is better than having a hybrid like the Volt, which is an EV and and ICE. Go figure. Making this even more absurd is that the same people who think that the Volt is an abomination want a trailer for the Leaf that would provide electricity, all the while spewing god knows how much pollution. While I realize it takes all kinds this is more or less crazy thinking.

 

DonC ,

Good observations. Interested to know what others think as well. From what I saw he seemed fairly well disposed toward the Ampera, but I have not seen his previous glowing recommendations for the LEAF.

RE: For example, over in the Leaf forum you’ll see many disparage the Volt for “using gas” yet at the same time they freely admit to having an ICE vehicle ...

Funny.

 

Interesting how he basically deemphasized the price--is that the norm in Europe?, i.e., willing to pay up to get the best? It is, after all, the land of Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Range Rover, Ferrari, etc.

 

You've published the Ampera price without the subsidy and the Volt price with the subsidy. The real price difference is £500.

Having sat in both, the Ampera is much nicer and solid feeling.

 

Dave : Having sat in both, the Ampera is much nicer and solid feeling.
Can you elaborate on that? The exteriors have slightly different designs but the interiors look to be the same. In fact other than the cup holders the interiors look to be, and doubtless are, identical.

My guess is either that you sat in a Volt with cloth seats and an Ampera with leather seats or you're experiencing what you think you should be experiencing.

 

Part of it might have been down to the choice of colour scheme and yes, the Vauxhall had leather (but was a prototype), but also the "door slam test" was very much in favour of the Vauxhall. It was a lot more solid feeling.

 

Dave : the “door slam test” was very much in favour of the Vauxhall. It was a lot more solid feeling.

This should be reported to GM's manager of production. How can two virtually identical cars built on the same assembly line have such a different result when slamming the door.

Ahhhhah..... maybe the Volt was a 2011 built before the production shut down; the Ampera was a 2012 built after the line was tinkered with and production resumed. If so, then things are looking better and better.

 

Dave : You’ve published the Ampera price without the subsidy and the Volt price with the subsidy. The real price difference is £500.

Well that just about blows away my theory outlined in post #14...