Test: Opel Ampera E-Pioneer Edition

I mean, of course, the Chevrolet Volt, which belongs to the GM (General Motors) group, which also includes the German Opel. So it is clear that the history of the Ampera began with the Volt at the aforementioned North American Auto Show. Chevrolet or all GM representatives were delighted with the presentation, they even convinced us that the Volt could be the savior, if not the economic, then at least the automobile crisis in the United States. Later it turned out that the forecasts were, of course, exaggerated, the crisis really weakened, but not because of Volta. People just didn't "grab" the electric car. Until recently, I myself did not defend. Not because I would be an addict (since I have nothing against louder, but high-torque turbodiesel engines, which can be extremely fuel efficient), but because there is still a lot of unknowns with electricity. If we can calculate almost exactly how many kilometers we will travel with ten liters of fuel, the story of electrically powered cars remains completely unknown. There is no unit, no equation, no rule that would definitely give correct calculation or reliable data. There are more unknowns than in the math test, and human control is very limited. Only one rule applies: be patient and take your time. And then you become a slave to the machine. You inadvertently start adjusting to the car, and suddenly it is no longer your vehicle, but a nightmare that haunts you, which takes you into completely different areas of driving than we are used to until now. No, I'm not going to do that! Personally, I don't like people who turn towards the wind, but I appreciate admitting a mistake or paying tribute to good. As well as the fact that it happened. In an instant, all the stereotypes about electric cars were shattered, and I suddenly became an "electric freak." Is the wind too strong? Is it fashionable to protect electric vehicles? Is greenery coming to power? None of the above! The answer is simple - Opel Ampera! The design is as nice as if it were from another planet. Let's face it: even automotive beauty is a relative term, and the level of sympathy varies greatly from person to person. In this way, I also give people the opportunity to see the Ampera in a completely different light, but throughout history it should be remembered that shape is a very important factor among "electric" cars. The electric cars presented so far, available to a wider audience, "impressed" with design, the first task of which was aerodynamic perfection, only then they hit the human soul and mind. But if women can buy cars or distinguish good from bad with what is prettier, then men can also choose at least those that are not unattractive. I know the heart is important, not the beauty, but the car must somehow please, if not already fascinated. Male ego and car beauty are just close friends. Although the Ampera descended directly from the Chevrolet Volt, it is, at least in the front of the car, typical of Opel. The grille, logo and bumper that match the design of the headlights are error-free. The sideline is quite special, and the complete difference is the almost futuristic rear end. Of course, the Ampera also needs to be aerodynamic, which it is, but not at the expense of its unattractive shape. The design is definitely its big advantage over all other electric or plug-in hybrid competitors. The interior is even bigger. Only the steering wheel gives out that this is an "Opel", everything else is quite futuristic, interesting and, at least at first, quite crowded. Numerous buttons, large screens on which it is as if you are watching TV. But you quickly get used to everything that suddenly you like and amaze Ampere with its diversity, interestingness and modernity. The screens show energy consumption, battery status, driving style, system operation, electric or gasoline engine, trip computer data and much more. Not only the route, since the Ampera is not equipped with navigation in standard equipment, which is also only available in the package with a high-end audio system and Bose speakers, but has to be spent 1.850 euros. is deducted for this. When referring to the driver's seat, the seat must not be overlooked. They are above average, but due to a lack of space or because only four batteries are stored in the tunnel between the seats. It sits more than well on all of them, though, and the backs of the latter two can also be folded down easily, and the base 310-liter luggage space can be expanded to an enviable 1.005 liters. And now to the point! The base Ampere motor is a 115 kilowatt electric motor with 370 Nm of torque over almost the entire operating range. The alternative is an 1,4 “horsepower” 86-litre petrol engine that doesn’t send power directly to the wheelset, but its power is converted back into the electricity needed to drive the electric motor, which is why the Ampera is called an electric car with extended coverage. As mentioned, the 197 kg battery, also housed in the tunnel between the seats, consists of 288 lithium-ion battery cells with a capacity of 16 kWh. They are never fully discharged, so the Ampera is always electrically powered only at startup. Charging them requires six hours of charging from a 230V outlet in ten ampere mode or 11 hours in six ampere mode. And since human ingenuity knows no bounds and the electric charging cables of different car brands are the same, the Ampera can be charged with a 16A charging cable in just four hours. You just need to buy it! With fully charged batteries, you can drive from 40 to 80 kilometers, while the driver does not have to worry about discharging batteries too quickly, over-adapting or abandoning air conditioners, radios and similar electricity consumers. The Ampera can be driven in the same way as a "regular" car, at least 40 kilometers on electricity. It is, however, that advantage over other cars and perhaps the biggest advantage that convinces even the biggest skeptics, in the end, and me. At the same time, if the batteries run out, it will not be the end of the world. The 1,4-liter petrol engine has full power, so the Ampera can be driven decently even without a battery, and the average gas mileage is barely over 6 L / 100 km. And if you ask me now if I will have an Ampera, I will answer in the affirmative. It is true that unfortunately I was unable to charge it at home. Although we have a state-of-the-art, safe and completely unknown garage in the new village, I have a dedicated parking space in it. Without connecting to the mains, of course.

text: Sebastian Plevnyak

Ampera E Pioneer Edition (2012)

Basic data

Sales:	Opel Southeast Europe Ltd.
Base model price:	42.900 €
Test model cost:	45.825 €
Power:	111kW (151 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	9,0 with
Maximum speed:	161 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	1,2l / 100km
Guarantee:	2 years general and mobile warranty, 8-year warranty for electrical components, Varnish warranty 3 years, 12 years warranty for prerjavenje.
Oil change every	30.000 km
Systematic review	30.000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials:	710 €
Fuel:	7.929 € (excluding electricity)
Tires (1)	1.527 €
Loss of value (within 5 years):	24.662 €
Compulsory insurance:	3.280 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +	9.635 (
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up	€ 47.743 0,48 (km cost: XNUMX €)

Technical information

engine:	Electric motor: permanent magnet synchronous motor - maximum power 111 kW (151 hp) - maximum torque 370 Nm. Battery: Li-ion batteries - capacity 16 kWh - weight 198 kg. Engine: 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - bore and stroke 73,4 × 82,6 mm - displacement 1.398 cm3 - compression ratio 10,5:1 - maximum power 63 kW (86 hp) ) at 4.800 rpm – maximum torque 130 Nm at 4.250 rpm.
Energy transfer:	the engine drives the front wheels - CVT with planetary gear - 7J × 17 wheels - 215/55 R 17 H tires, rolling circumference 2,02 m.
Capacity:	top speed 161 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 9 s (rough estimate) - fuel consumption (ECE) 0,9 / 1,3 / 1,2 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions 27 g / km.
Transportation and suspension:	limousine - 5 doors, 4 seats - self-supporting body - front individual suspension, spring legs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear axle shaft, coil springs, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc, mechanical parking brake on the rear wheels ( switching between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 2,6 turns between extreme points.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.732 kg - Permissible gross vehicle weight 2.000 kg - Permissible trailer weight with brake: n.a., without brake: n.a. - Permissible roof load: n.a.
External dimensions:	vehicle width 1.787 mm - vehicle width with mirrors 2.126 mm - front track 1.546 mm - rear 1.572 mm - driving radius 11,0 m.
Inner dimensions:	front width 1.480 mm, rear 1.440 - front seat length 520 mm, rear seat 510 - steering wheel diameter 370 mm - fuel tank 35 l.
Box:	4 places: 1 × suitcase (36 l), 1 × suitcase (85,5 l), 1 × backpack (20 l).
Standard equipment:	Driver and front passenger airbags - Side airbags - Curtain airbags - Knee airbags - ISOFIX mountings - ABS - ESP - Power steering - Automatic air conditioning - Power windows front and rear - Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors - CD radio -player and MP3 player - multifunction steering wheel - central locking with remote control - steering wheel with height and depth adjustment - height-adjustable driver's seat - folding rear seats - cruise control - rain sensor - on-board computer.

Our measurements

T = 31 ° C / p = 1.211 mbar / rel. vl. = 54% / Tires: Michelin Energy Saver 215/55 / ​​R 17 H / Odometer status: 2.579 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	10,2s
402m from the city:	17,4 years ( 132 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	Measurement with this type of transfer is not possible. S
Maximum speed:	161km / h (Gear lever in position D)
test consumption:	5,35 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h:	69,6m
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	39,3m
AM table:	40m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	52dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	59dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear	61dB
Idling noise:	33dB

Overall rating (342/420)

• The Opel Ampera instantly captures you and makes you think about electric cars in a completely different way. The drivetrain is extremely complex and hard to blame. The promised 40-80 electric kilometers are easily accessible if the road is correct, even much more. If the Ampera is the harbinger of a new era of cars, we don't need to be afraid of them, they just need to be more accessible or accessible to most people.

• Exterior (13/15)

  The Opel Ampera is definitely the first car of its kind to feature a friendly design and does not immediately show that it is an unusual passenger car.

• Interior (105/140)

  Inside, the Ampera impresses with its driver's workspace, two large, highly visible screens and, to a lesser extent, space in the rear, where there are only two seats in the tunnel because of the batteries.

• Engine, transmission (57
  
  
  / 40)

  The 1,4-liter petrol engine sits in the shadow of the larger electric one, but does a decent job when the batteries are discharged.

• Driving performance (60
  
  
  / 95)

  The Ampera is driven and controlled like a normal car, and the car does not need to adapt to anything, whether it is powered only by electricity or by a gasoline engine.

• Performance (27/35)

  All the torque of the electric motor is available to the driver almost immediately, so acceleration is a pleasure,
  
  
  especially when only the electric motor is "serviced" and only the rolling noise of the wheels is heard.

• Security (38/45)

  Amperes blames almost nothing, even when it comes to security. However, some uncertainty remains regarding batteries and electricity.

• Economy (42/50)

  Price is the only problem. Since this happens all over Europe, it is obvious that in many places it is much easier than for Slovenians. Despite the subsidy, which in some countries is again much higher.

We praise and reproach

form of innovation

concept and design

electrical system operation

driving performance and performance

ergonomics

well-being in the salon

car price

time required to charge the battery

there is no navigation in the basic configuration

because of the battery tunnel in the back there are only two seats