Opel Ampera-e Test Drive (Video)
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While 2017 Chevy Bolt EV deliveries haven’t really begun in the US yet, it seems that testers in Europe have already been granted access to the European equivalent (re-badging), the Opel Ampera-e.
The video below is a test drive of the Ampera-e, giving most of us our first genuine look at the model. Enjoy.
The first thing that’s noticeable is that there don’t seem to be any major changes, just as there weren’t with the original Opel Ampera, the European re-badging of the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Yeah, I know, giving the Bolt EV and the Volt PHEV nearly the exact same name in the European market doesn’t seem to make much sense. The “Ampera” and the “Ampera-e” — what were they thinking? There will no doubt be many people who hear the name and assume that it’s the same model as before with only slight differences — not the fundamental change from PHEV to EV that it is. (And not even mentioning the major differences in styling, handling, passenger and luggage space, and performance.)
Hmm, any of you in Europe interested in picking up the model? Going on the rumors swirling around, you may have to wait a while, as it seems that GM is now planning a more gradual rollout of the Bolt EV than previously announced and expected. Europe probably isn’t any kind of priority for the rollout.
(Tip of the hat to the commentator “bro1999” on the GM Volt forum for posting the video.)
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