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Vauxhall Ampera meta review - uk critics unite
The Vauxhall Ampera has not yet been released but that hasn't stopped the UK community garnering an opinion on this impressive technologically advanced car. Released in the coming months and available to order now, this article is to investigate just how good this new E-REV car from Vauxhall truly is.
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A metareview is an overview of how critics have judged the Vauxhall Ampera in an attempt to give you an overall picture of the car. Leading publications and websites will be investigated and we urge you to not only read about their comments here, but look at the full detail offered by each opinion. Your next personal (or fleet) car is an important choice. As with any large purchase, you need to have all of the facts.
The Vauxhall Ampera is an industry first. An electrically powered vehicle that is not limited by local destinations; an electric car that can take you out of the city and into the countryside without fearing that you'll run out of charge (range anxiety). This is due to the long lasting battery life of the Ampera but also due to it pièce de résistance: a 1.4 petrol engine that charges the battery whilst you drive! Your car will only ever be driven by the electric motor which gives instant torque and therefore incredible acceleration. Those who believe that electrically powered cars are slow should think again. The Vauxhall Ampera is far from being a slouch!
With up to 50 miles (for every charge) on electric power alone, the Vauxhall Ampera is able to produce ZERO EMISSIONS. It is only when the petrol engine kicks in that any emissions come from the vehicle at all. Once the petrol engine kicks in, you can drive the Ampera for up to 350 miles. However don't take our word for it, let the professionals share their findings:
CarBuyer note how the Vauxhall Ampera has instant power delivery with a 0-62mph figure of 8.5 seconds. Seating four comfortably, the modern looking Vauxhall has a silent electric motor and only a slightly noisier engine (when required). For those fearing that the batteries may wear out, the Vauxhall Ampera offers an 8 year warranty on them alone (along with their "Lifetime Warranty" with every new car). With stylish, futuristic looks, the Ampera was praised for its driving, comfort, reliability, practicality and low, low running costs. Simply put: “The Ampera offers it all: an electric only range that's usable for the vast majority of daily journeys and the ability to cover long distances, too.”
Parkers were of a similar opinion, in that the range-extending Ampera was very capable of doing as it states, was a comfortable cruiser and drivers can "realistically" expect an average of 118mpg! They also focussed on how; if you only drove the Ampera less than fifty miles a day, this fabulous car would only cost you a single pound for your daily commute! The electric motor is capable of 148bhp and the Ampera produces on average 40g/km of CO2. This figure means that it is eligible for a £5000 government grant which significantly reduces the purchase price as well as allowing for zero congestion charging and no road tax.
With the Vauxhall Ampera (as you would expect) receiving a 5 star EuroNCAP rating you can be assured that you safety is not compromised either. With the elimination of range anxiety, the Vauxhall Ampera is "one of the best hybrid cars to date" and they noted that the Ampera's technology "is robust enough to deliver rock-solid reliability"
The Telegraph have highlighted the futuristic looks of the Vauxhall Ampera and how it reflects the technological marvels within. They note that this range-extending electrically powered vehicle is "a potential blueprint for a new generation of environmental family cars". This level of practicality is often unseen in electrically powered vehicles as they are often compact vehicles. Seating four comfortably and retaining a large boot means that the Ampera is perfect for your work life along with your family commitments. As the Telegraph so eloquently put it: "Unlike hybrid rivals from Toyota and Honda, the Ampera has a solidly built and attractive interior, with leather upholstery and instruments and switches from last year's European Car of the Year, the Vauxhall/Opel Insignia."
Autocar held the view that the Ampera's "ride is particularly good" and during their review, they experienced a 118 mpg figure from a mixture of urban, rural and motorway driving. They also noted that whilst they tested the vehicle they took advantage of the ambient temperatures with the onboard air-conditioning system (showing that the figure they received was not the best that could be achieved).
Noting how the Ampera can be fully charged within four hours (shorter than some mobile phones), Car Magazine experienced a smooth and quiet drive (even whilst the petrol engine started to charge the batteries). The transition from the electric motor running alone, to the petrol engine charging the vehicle (whilst driving) was almost seamless. Only a slight purr reveals that the 1.4 engine is assisting you in your extended journey.
You cannot ignore the positives of driving an electrically powered vehicle. Not only are the environmental benefits salient but the instant power available to you as you pull away from standstill is highly impressive. Evo Magazine quoted "there's that pleasing shove of effort from a standstill that electric cars do so well". The Ampera provides an economically viable vehicle for daily use but also an environmentally friendly = family car along with being able to deliver the power you deserve from driving a modern automobile.
Fifth Gear has claimed that "the revolutionary Ampera actually feels like the new kind of car that it is". They stated it is "vastly more practical than most EVs" with strong, silent acceleration and low emissions and running costs. Noting how the interior of the Ampera is also a technological feat, Fifth Gear go on to state that the Ampera has twin colour LCDs (as a dashboard/infotainment displays) and a glossy-grey touch-screen centre console; something made of a standard you would expect from an Apple product.
Auto Express summed the new Vauxhall Ampera up perfectly: "This might be the only sound you next car ever makes... A gentle swishing of tyres against tarmac as a digital speedometer nudges 70mph". With the Ampera's running costs being almost one-fifth of the popular Astra and range anxiety being a thing of the past, the Vauxhall Ampera is the car that we all wanted from the future...available today.
The Vauxhall Ampera is available to order today. It currently benefits from a £5000 grant from the government and is the only electric car you could ever want. With no road tax, zero congestion charging and a Lifetime (or 100,000 mile) warranty in place, the Ampera provides a modern driving experience for commuting and distance driving, along with space for the family.
Visit our showroom in Camberley to discover how the Vauxhall Ampera can benefit you fleet requirements.
Call Charters Vauxhall on 0844 247 0784
or use the form below.