AMPERA E-REVS UP FOR UK�S LONGEST EV-ER ROAD TRIP

Luton �Tuesday June 22 will mark a turning point in UK automotive history when a Vauxhall Ampera E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) undertakes the longest single journey by an electric car on British roads.

The prototype Ampera, which goes on sale in the UK in early 2012, will appropriately be driven in relay by a selection of drivers from Vauxhall�s home in Luton, Bedfordshire to its passenger car plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire - a journey of more than 170 miles.

Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall�s MD, who will drive the Ampera on the first leg of its journey from the company�s Heritage Centre in Luton, said: �It�s quite poignant that Luton, our home for the last 105 years, should mark the starting point of not just this historic journey, but also the future of E-REV vehicles in the UK. In the last century, Vauxhall has pioneered innovation and technology for mainstream car buyers, and this commitment will continue with the Ampera. We�re truly energising the future for British motorists.�

With a real-world range of 350 miles, the Ampera will be using under half its available power as it travels north up the M1 and M6 motorways, calling in at Vauxhall�s Brand Centre at Star City, Birmingham on the way. Electricity drives the Ampera�s wheels at all times and speeds, and for the first 40 miles of the trip power will be supplied by electricity stored in a cutting-edge, 16kWh lithium-ion battery, meaning the Ampera will emit zero tailpipe emissions. When the battery�s energy is depleted to a minimum state, a small petrol/E85-fuelled engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit, boosting range by a further 310 miles.

Once at Ellesmere Port, the Ampera, which is built on the new Astra platform, will complete its journey at the end of the new Astra�s production line, welcomed by plant director, Tony Francavilla.

Source: Vauxhall

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VAUXHALL STARTS THE ELECTRIC CHARGE

The Vauxhall Ampera passed an important milestone last Friday, when the first pre-production car rolled off the line at GM's Pre-Production Operations' assembly line in Warren, Michigan.
More validation Amperas will be built in coming months, and will be used by engineers in Europe and the United States for testing the production-intent design. The focus will be on developing the final vehicle software and controls, fine tuning the vehicles' driving characteristics, and performing safety and structural integrity testing.

"We're right on target for producing the Ampera for European markets later next year," said Andrew Farah, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Ampera. "There's still work to be done, but being able to drive an Ampera off our pre-production line is a great accomplishment for the teams here and in Europe."

The Ampera extended-range electric vehicle delivers up to 40 miles of pure electric driving before an engine-generator kicks in to sustain the battery charge and seamlessly extends the range to more than 300 miles. The battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household outlet. It is scheduled to be in UK showrooms by early 2012.

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VAUXHALL COLLECTIVE

The UK's most talented and exciting creatives are announced



Six of the UK's hottest young creatives have been chosen by Vauxhall to receive a commission of up to �20,000 each.

As part of its ongoing commitment to style and design, car company Vauxhall in conjunction with a Style Council made up of arts industry experts, has identified six of the brightest creative stars and given them a commission of up to �20,000 each, accompanied by a high profile PR campaign, to help them take their careers to the next level.

The six commissions will tie into the theme of The Great British Road Trip, a re-telling of the classic road trip story, with a very British twist. With the commissions totalling in the region of �120,000 this significant arts support programme in the UK, reflects Vauxhall's ongoing commitment to supporting style and design.

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World Fastest Car - Car Tuning and Modified Cars

World Fastest Car - Car Tuning and Modified Cars

Apparently it's this Vauxhall...