Entry-level Ampera for Scots dealers 27 | 03 | 2012
VAUXHALL HAS CONFIRMED it will launch a new entry-level version of the new Vauxhall Ampera range-extender electric car in Scotland this summer: the new model, will be priced at £29,995. It's worth pointing out the price already include the Government's £5000 ‘Plug-In’ grant, which has recently been extended to 2015.
Still to be officially named, the new model will join the Ampera Positiv and Electron models, which go on sale in on May 1.
Costing £32,250 (including the grant), the Positiv comes complete with leather trim, climate control, keyless entry, a seven-inch touch-screen, heated seats, parking camera and DAB.
Step iup to the range-topping, £33,995 Electron, and you also get a seven-inch navigation touch-screen, a 30GB hard drive, DVD player and low-energy Bose sound system.
Vauxhall has given the Ampera's 16kWh battery pack an eight-year and 100,000-mile transferrable warranty.
In a bid to extend the battery's life, it's never charged beyond 85% of its capacity or de-charged below 22% of its capacity.
New 198bhp diesel for Vauxhall Insignia
Vauxhall predicts the battery pack will still be 70% efficient after eight year’s usage.
And in what is something of a pioneering move in an effort to boost the attraction of its electric vehicles, Vauxhall is also offering a ‘British Gas Home Charging Solution’ package.
For £799, Ampera owners get a home electric inspection and installation of a dedicated charging point. The wall-mounted charger allows the Ampera to draw 16 amps of charge, which will re-fresh the car’s battery in just four hours, instead of the usual six hours taken when using an ordinary wall socket.
The company expects to sell 2500-3000 Amperas in 2012 and around 5000 in 2013.
Vauxhall has appointed 24 dealers to handle sales of the car, as well as a number of accredited ‘High Voltage’ technicians.
Prospective buyers of the Ampera who don't live close to one of the specialist dealers will get a pick and collection service and a courtesy car. Now that's what I call service.
Read our roadtest of the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars
Jim McGill