2012 Opel Ampera 13

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, GM, Opel, Electric Opel Flextreme GT/E concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Think of the Opel Flextreme GT/E concept as a bigger Chevrolet Volt (or Opel Ampera if you're European). The idea behind this concept, which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show, is to show how the Volt's extended-range electric vehicle drivetrain can be used in a larger vehicle, in this case a mid-size five-door hatchback. So far, every vehicle shown by General Motors with an ER-EV drivetrain, including the Volt, Ampera and Cadillac Converj concept, has been compact in size. By paying attention to aerodynamics, the Flextreme GT/E still achieves a low 0.22 coefficient of drag despite its bigger dimensions and large 21-inch wheels. It even employs active aerodynamics in the rear where panels extend out from the air extraction slots behind the rear wheels at speeds above 50 km/h (31 miles per hour). Opel also used carbon composite panels for the body and aluminum for the vehicle structure to keep weight down. Powered by an electric motor producing 120 kW and 273 pound-feet of torque, the Flextreme GT/E is augmented by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine/generator. It will travel 37 miles on battery power alone before the generator kicks in to keep supplying electricity to the motor, at which point its range extends to 311 miles. CO2 emissions are kept below 40 g/km and Opel pegs fuel consumption at 1.6 liters/100 km (converted straight that's about 147 mpg). Gallery: Opel Flextreme GT/E concept [Source: Opel]Continue reading Opel Flextreme GT/E concept adds Volt drivetrain to larger carOpel Flextreme GT/E concept adds Volt drivetrain to larger car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Hybrid, GM, Opel, Vauxhall, Diesel If you want to maximize you fuel efficiency in the city, your best bet is probably a hybrid. On the flip side of the coin, if you do most of your driving on the open road, diesel engines tend to be much more economical than their gasoline-powered siblings. What if you could combine the two, though, and end up with the best of both worlds? While it would hardly be the first automaker to embark down that path, Autocar is reporting that General Motors is working on a diesel hybrid powertrain that could see production in various Opel and Vauxhall models (such as the Astra and Insignia) sometime after 2012. Sounds good, right? Of course, there are problems to work out. One thing that's holding all major automakers back from diesel hybrids are both development and production costs, which can be substantial since both diesels and hybrids already carry a premium over gasoline-burning engines. Maurizio Cisternino, GM of Europe's advanced technology chief engineer, has reportedly told the UK publication that the automaker is aiming for a premium of 1,000 euros (£880 or about $1,400 U.S. at current exchange rates) for the diesel hybrid over traditional hybrids, something that would be quite an achievement. If the hybrid powertrain does come to fruition, expect it to be paired with GM's upcoming 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder, a special version of which is said to be prepared with computer controls that are compatible with The General's hybrid systems. It's also possible that a diesel engine will at some point be coupled to the automaker's Voltec powertrain as seen in the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera. [Source: Autocar]Report: General Motors working on diesel hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments