With the single speed automatic gearbox you can just put it into D and not give it any further thought, which makes for a relaxing drive whatever the conditions are. Various modifications were made to 2013 Amperas to overcome problems, so if buying one make absolutely sure of the build date from the VIN. Vauxhall Ampera - are there any owners' reviews? There’s not too much distinction between the trim levels in the Ampera, and with limited examples on the market it may be a case of taking what you can get. "These enhancements and modifications will address the concerns raised by the severe crash tests," Barra said. The real-world range on electric only is 25-40 miles. Its most impressive score was 85 per cent for adult protection, with a score of 78 per cent for child protection. At lower speeds and while the battery still has charge, it will drive purely on electric power with the engine switched off, and even though it is quite a heavy car it still accelerates with some vigour. Smooth and quiet powertrain, excellent ride quality, high standard specification. The standard specification on both is high, with all models getting a DAB radio, climate control, heated leather seats, cruise control and parking sensors, but the higher-spec Electron is worth the extra as it adds sat-nav - always good to have on an electric car - and a better BOSE audio system. There’s quite a high lip unfortunately, but once you’ve crested that you have access to 301 litres of space, which is relatively competitive for the compact class but not as generous as some larger cars. Opel sister brand Vauxhall is adding a new trim level for its Ampera EREV. When it does fire up the Ampera feels more like a conventional car, although it does take some getting used to when you accelerate but the speed of the engine does not change - that’s because it’s just charging the batteries rather than driving the wheels. Unlike many current electric cars where the battery pack is stashed beneath the boot floor, the Ampera’s cells are housed in a T-shape along the centre line of the car and between the rear seats. Operating the system itself is quite straightforward, and it responds quite readily to inputs, although the lack of a touchscreen or physical buttons is an irritation. Now, we will go the extra mile to ensure our customers' peace of mind in the days and weeks following a severe crash," said Mary Barra, GM senior vice president of Global Product Development. "Electric cars are no longer being touted as cars of the future - they’re here right now - but stepping into the Ampera feels like a forward jump even though the design is from the early 2010s. At lower speeds and while the battery still has charge, it will drive purely on electric power with the engine switched off, and even though it is quite a heavy car it still feels quick and is up to decent speeds. Review by Kieran Keyes Click to read full user review, Review by Mark Weston Click to read full user review, Review by Theodoros Taliadoros Click to read full user review, Review by Mark Rothwell Click to read full user review. There's room for four only, as in the rear there are two sculpted seats. For cars used largely in electric-only mode, the odometer gives no indication of how much use the engine has had. Top speed is electronically limited to 93mph for the benefit of overall range. Click to reveal details. The drag torque is so high in ‘Low/Regen on Demand’ modes that the brake pedal need not be applied to reduce speed to a full stop in normal traffic, leaving the Ampera-e to be safely controlled by the accelerator (naturally, the brake pedal still needs to be applied in an emergency). See our in-depth analysis of 40 car manufacturers... See Ratings. Commuting within the 50 mile range will ensure very low running costs on battery electric drive only. 2012 built cars were still being sold as new. All registered in England and Wales. In terms of space and practicality the Ampera is very much a product of its time. Vauxhall took a different approach, one that turned out to be something of a temporary solution too, as only BMW offered similar technology for a while on its i3 model. This means the Ampera can hit 62mph in 8.7 seconds, despite the heavy batteries. There’s just a single powertrain option for the Ampera, although the capacity of the battery changed slightly in the vehicle’s lifetime. Reliability Index is brought to you by Warranty Direct. Strengthen an existing portion of the Volt's vehicle safety structure to further protect the battery pack in a severe side collision, Add a sensor in the reservoir of the battery coolant system to monitor coolant levels. When the battery’s energy is depleted, electricity from the on-board engine-generator extends the Ampera’s range to more than 300 miles. The Ampera was one of the safest cars ever tested by Euro NCAP, excelling in all categories including pedestrian protection. The Ampera gives off a good first impression, with twin screens and the unusual centre console giving it a futuristic feel, while the flashes of colour in the doors and on the seat trim are smart. Hilton Holloway ... Just one powertrain is offered, but buyers can pick from one of two trim levels… The Ampera reaches UK showrooms. Five-Star Euro NCAP Result: 85% Adult Occupant, 78% Child Occupant, 41% Pedestrian, 86% Safety Assist. A quick search of the classified ads turned up a handful of examples, ranging between £7000 and £13,000 in price. For most of the Ampera’s life there were two trim levels available, the entry-level Positiv model and the higher spec Electron. 9/13: A price cut of £3,500 is Vauxhall’s last attempt at tempting buyers, but they remain uninterested. It is significantly more quiet than the quietest petrol or diesel car, and for many buyers that will be a major plus point. The enhancement performed as intended. Based on. As an example, we found two examples that were very similar; both with around 60,000 miles on the clock, the same specification and both from 2014, but one was priced at £10,500 and the other was £1,000 more. 3233010 at Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 2XX and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Register No.309075. Event applies to private individuals, Vauxhall Partners and small businesses 1-49 units. You don’t have any choice over the engine in the Ampera; it’s an electric motor plus the 1.4-litre engine acting as a generator, although it makes sense to get the newest example of the Ampera that you can afford; not only will that mean the batteries will have more life left in them (having gone through fewer charge and discharge cycles) it is also more likely to have the larger 18kWh battery pack. The drive itself is pretty good, too. The first ever range extender to be sold in the UK, the Ampera featured plug-in technology with a 1.4-litre petrol engine. There are three trim levels; standard, Positiv and Electron. It is powered by an electric motor offering 149PS driving the front wheels, with a battery pack of 16kWh in the early models which was increased to 18kWh towards the end of production. The brand also offers free collection and delivery if the car needs servicing or fixing, plus a courtesy replacement car, too. Despite Covid-19 lockdowns, the system shows no sign of slowing down this year, of 3805 videos uploaded to the platform – 78 per cent higher than average – in the last 90 days. With its futuristic styling and cutting-edge running gear the Vauxhall Ampera should have been a smash hit, but as the first vehicle of its kind it was maybe too advanced for a very conservative market. It’s a much smaller car, although it’s still spacious inside, and with the range-extender fitted (a pure EV version is also available) it has a range of close to 200 miles. The generator engages seamlessly once the battery has reached a minimum level of charge. However, as long as your premiums aren’t very high in the first place and you have a decent no-claims bonus you shouldn’t find the Ampera is too expensive to insure. If the engine needs to kick in it does so quietly, although its revs are related very little to the speed you’re travelling. There are plenty of electric car and hybrid alternatives to the Ampera, but very few that are range extenders in the same way. Rides well with keen... Nimble and agile handling. Limited examples, compromised cabin space, question mark over battery life. When people who aren’t interested in cars as a conversation topic start talking about electric cars, half the battle is won. The Vauxhall Ampera is the only real-world electric car solution for a family. Just 23 dealers can sell them but each buyer gets their own customer liaison at Vauxhall HQ. If you need a mid-sized used hatchback and want the ability to run on pure EV power, then the Ampera is worth serious consideration. Despite the comparatively old technology it has some positive attributes and could be an inexpensive way to go green(er). We're as confident as ever that the cell design is among the safest on the market.". Under the hatchback you have 301 litres of space, and the option to fold the rear seats to increase that to 1000 litres - again, this is a useful amount of space but less than the competition. The dashboard itself is also unusual in that it uses touch-sensitive buttons; the bulk of it is an almost featureless panel so you touch the label rather than push a button. Some adults may not be bothered and your children might not care either, but you wouldn’t blame someone for finding the back chairs a bit claustrophobic. Even before you get to enjoy the Ampera down a country road you’ll be able to enjoy the ride comfort. However, as long as your premiums aren’t very high in the first place and you have a decent no-claims bonus you shouldn’t find the Ampera too expensive to insure. Test car £38,995 Warranty: 100,000 miles. Isofix child seat mounting points are fitted in the outer rear seats as well as an airbag deactivation switch for the front passenger seat, with seat belt pre-tensioners and load limiters for the front seat occupants but not those in the rear. Vauxhall Ampera Hatchback (2012 - 2015) practicality. 27-10-2014: Too many unsold cars can mean that even in 2014, a Vauxhall Ampera sold as 'new' could be 2013 build or even 2012 build. 5/12: The Ampera reaches UK showrooms. Electric range is the maximum distance an electric car can travel before its battery needs recharging. The Ampera is killed off a year later. A little less impressive are the scores for pedestrian mitigation at a lowly 41 per cent, contrasting with a very high score of 86 per cent for safety assist. It is soft to the point where it can become a little floaty over bigger undulations, but it never gets to the point where it feels excessive and it is a small price to pay for such a cossetting approach. If you are putting in 211mpg then the system would reject that as too great a disparity from the average 76.1mpg because you are obviously running it mostly on plug-in electricity and will also be benefiting from regeneration on the downhill stretches of the hilly terrain. What do owners think of the Vauxhall Ampera (2012 – 2014)? The enhancements come in response to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Preliminary Evaluation to examine post-severe crash battery performance. For most of the Ampera’s life there were two trim levels available, the entry-level Positiv model and the higher spec Electron.

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