Electrifying Times: The New Opel Ampera Blog

Rita Forst, Vice President of Engineering Europe, starts blog on revolutionary EV


Rüsselsheim. For Opel, 2011 is the year of the Ampera and interest in the electric vehicle suitable for everyday use is already high. That’s why the Opel Ampera Blog is being launched a few months before the EV hits the market. Engineers, designers and marketers describe the concept, technology and environmental compatibility of this revolutionary electric vehicle. “We realize that such an innovative vehicle takes a lot of explaining. That’s why my colleagues and I think this blog is so important,” wrote Opel management board member Rita Forst in her first entry. The blog will be in English and German.

The Ampera Blog is seamlessly integrated in the Social Media activities that Opel has continuously expanded over the past years. These include engineering blogs for the Opel Insignia, Opel Astra and Opel Meriva. The Social Media team is in charge of Behind the scenes, a blog that reports live from the many international events and motor shows on Opel’s schedule. The team also runs Opel’s International Facebook pages, which include an Ampera fan page, and the Opel Twitter accounts. There is easy access to all sites over the Opel Connect links page.

The Opel Ampera will be the first electrically driven car in Europe suitable for everyday driving due to its extended-range capability. With its unique electric propulsion system providing lively acceleration and high levels of refinement, the five-door Ampera seats four passengers, offers ample trunk space and features an extended range of more than 500 kilometers. The Ampera is powered by electricity at all times and speeds. For trips between 40 to 80 km, power is supplied by the electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery.

The 288 lithium-ion cells in the T-shaped battery pack provide ample power. The nearly silent electric drive unit delivers 370 Nm of instant torque, the equivalent of 150 horsepower, zero to 100 km/h acceleration in around nine seconds and a top speed of 161 km/h.