Geneva 2009: Official Info on Opel/Vauxhall Ampera

Wow! The Opel/Vauxhall Ampera is has been shown (officially anyway) and boy do I like it. Details and new pictures of this revolutionary electric vehicle can be found after the jump. 

Look at that! Tell me that doesn't look incredibly more dynamic and futuristic then it's Chevrolet (and U.S) counterpart, the Volt. GM's European brands did a fantastic job with it's adaptation of the Volt for European markets.

Like I said in my earlier, the Ampera has an almost conceptual look, as it displays prominently the new Opel styling language previewed by the GTC and Flextreme concepts. 

Details inside the headlights have been changed along with the new, swooping intake design. The lighting is an more intense blue, and a new light pipe streaks throughout the lamp. The Volt's amber turn signal marker also disappears as well. 

I thought the only really recognizable changes we'd see were to the front of the vehicle. I wasn't quite right; the back sees some pretty significant redesigning as well.

The glass rear hatch area found on the Volt is gone; everything is smoother and a chrome line now runs horizontally providing visual width.

Also redesigned is the lower bumper area, with the addition of scoop-like indentations on both sides of the car. (Maybe they incorporate another lamp? It's hard to tell)

Notice anything else? Detailing in the taillights, like the front, has been changed. The red lighting area is smaller, with an grey tint surround applied to the lower half. This isn't just a quick re-badge job; clearly thought was put into this.

The meaningful improvements (not only changes) continue in the interior. The Ampera employs use of color to great effect, replacing the Volt's Aquatic greenish-color door inserts with a brilliant red.

The black/red combination works really well, with the seat inserts and upper dash pad color lining changed as well.

Look at that center stack! The Volt's standard white trim is replaced with a piano-black finish and it looks excellent. While minor, details make a big difference; the Ampera has much more of an upscale, luxury car feel vis-à-vis the Volt.

No this is not a concept! I know it looks like one, but this is an actual production vehicle.

So in case you couldn't tell by now, I'm highly impressed with the Ampera! Originally when I heard there would be an Opel version of the Volt, I expected few changes as it made it's Transatlantic crossing. Not so, as you can see.

The Volt is a great vehicle; I love it and still do. But I must admit Opel has taken thing up to a new level with the changes they have employed.

The Ampera offers everything you'd expect from a pioneering vehicle like this. A futuristic design, beautiful interior and revolutionary propulsion. Once again, GM's European brand shows the rest of the company the way.