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| Vauxhall Ampera: car review | |
| (5 days later) | |
| Some of my neighbours take an interest in my wheels. "Another electric car?" one asks. Well, yes, mostly, I tell him, but it also has a 1.4-litre petrol engine. "Hybrid then?" he says, knowingly (bit of a smartarse, this one. I can say that – I don't think he reads the Guardian). Actually, no, not really, and Vauxhall gets a bit cross if you call it a hybrid. It is an electric car; it runs permanently on its electric motor with a battery that will take you 25-30 miles emitting diddly-squat. The petrol engine is like a back-up generator for when the battery gets low. An EV with a range-extending petrol motor/generator then. | Some of my neighbours take an interest in my wheels. "Another electric car?" one asks. Well, yes, mostly, I tell him, but it also has a 1.4-litre petrol engine. "Hybrid then?" he says, knowingly (bit of a smartarse, this one. I can say that – I don't think he reads the Guardian). Actually, no, not really, and Vauxhall gets a bit cross if you call it a hybrid. It is an electric car; it runs permanently on its electric motor with a battery that will take you 25-30 miles emitting diddly-squat. The petrol engine is like a back-up generator for when the battery gets low. An EV with a range-extending petrol motor/generator then. |
| That's a little problem with the Ampera, the fact that it isn't easily classifiable by a simple one- or two-word term that everyone – and their neighbours – can understand. | That's a little problem with the Ampera, the fact that it isn't easily classifiable by a simple one- or two-word term that everyone – and their neighbours – can understand. |
| Otherwise, it's rather brilliant. An electric car you can use as your one and only car (they begin to lose their point when there's also a Range Rover parked up on the drive). Away game at St James' Park? No problem, we'll take the car. (I speak from a Gooner's point of view. A Mackem could easily get there and back in a Nissan Leaf or a Renault Zoe.) And we won't have to stop four times on the way to recharge or fill up. You won't get those amazing figures – 235.4mpg and 27g/km – on a trip like that (they're based on average journeys), but it's nice to know that you can at least go in the car. And go without that 21st-century motoring ailment known as "range anxiety" to add to normal away game/football/general life worries. | Otherwise, it's rather brilliant. An electric car you can use as your one and only car (they begin to lose their point when there's also a Range Rover parked up on the drive). Away game at St James' Park? No problem, we'll take the car. (I speak from a Gooner's point of view. A Mackem could easily get there and back in a Nissan Leaf or a Renault Zoe.) And we won't have to stop four times on the way to recharge or fill up. You won't get those amazing figures – 235.4mpg and 27g/km – on a trip like that (they're based on average journeys), but it's nice to know that you can at least go in the car. And go without that 21st-century motoring ailment known as "range anxiety" to add to normal away game/football/general life worries. |
| The Ampera glides around, if not thrillingly, then at least smoothly and quietly, even when the petrol engine is working (it's hard to tell when, to be honest, unless of course you're an internationally renowned motoring journalist). Very comfortably, too. It is expensive, but all electric cars are, even with government backhanders. And this one is also a bit posh. | The Ampera glides around, if not thrillingly, then at least smoothly and quietly, even when the petrol engine is working (it's hard to tell when, to be honest, unless of course you're an internationally renowned motoring journalist). Very comfortably, too. It is expensive, but all electric cars are, even with government backhanders. And this one is also a bit posh. |
| There is one other little problem with it: it's not as nice as a BMW i3. Another electric car, available with a range-extending petrol engine, the i3 is the Ampera's only real rival. And though the Vauxhall is cheaper, goes farther and probably makes more sense, I'd take the BMW all day long. It's not just more nimble to drive (feels lighter, is lighter), it's a more interesting design. The BMW's light, airy interior and use of interesting materials makes it feel innovative and futuristic. The Vauxhall doesn't quite pull off its attempts at funkiness (odd graphics on the inside of the doors). Like if I, a middle-aged white bloke, were to let my Polish barber have his way and give me a zigzag slash on one side. The BMW is simply a more likable car. Plus, I'm a shallow snob, and I want my neighbours to be jealous. | There is one other little problem with it: it's not as nice as a BMW i3. Another electric car, available with a range-extending petrol engine, the i3 is the Ampera's only real rival. And though the Vauxhall is cheaper, goes farther and probably makes more sense, I'd take the BMW all day long. It's not just more nimble to drive (feels lighter, is lighter), it's a more interesting design. The BMW's light, airy interior and use of interesting materials makes it feel innovative and futuristic. The Vauxhall doesn't quite pull off its attempts at funkiness (odd graphics on the inside of the doors). Like if I, a middle-aged white bloke, were to let my Polish barber have his way and give me a zigzag slash on one side. The BMW is simply a more likable car. Plus, I'm a shallow snob, and I want my neighbours to be jealous. |
| Vauxhall Ampera | Vauxhall Ampera |
| Price From £28,750 (after government grant)Top speed 100mphAcceleration 0-60mph in 8.7 secondsCombined fuel consumption 235.4mpgCO2 emissions 27g/km Eco rating 9/10Cool rating 5/10 | Price From £28,750 (after government grant)Top speed 100mphAcceleration 0-60mph in 8.7 secondsCombined fuel consumption 235.4mpgCO2 emissions 27g/km Eco rating 9/10Cool rating 5/10 |
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