Test drives on ice crossings in Estonia underscore winter suitability
Snow covered streets and icy roads are not uncommon in some European
countries right now. In Estonia temperatures fall so low that parts of
the Baltic Sea can be driven over on up to 50 days a year. This is
unique in Europe. Opel now used the frozen Baltic Sea to prove the
Ampera’s everyday suitability with a number of teams of journalists. The
vehicles covered hundreds of kilometers without a hitch – impressive
proof of the Ampera’s winter capabilities. Thanks to the constant
battery temperature control system, even freezing temperatures are not a
problem for Europe’s best selling electric vehicle.
From ice cover thickness of at least 25 centimeters cars can drive
over the socalled ice crossings and so reach islands without having to
use a ferry. On a number of stretches up to ten kilometers long, the
Ampera proved that electric mobility isn’t stopped by cold. The car can
run on pure battery electric propulsion at temperatures down to minus
ten degrees.
When temperatures are even lower, the range extending gasoline engine supports the electric motor. In cold weather, the battery is preheated during charging to provide a full power capability. This preserves it during starting and benefits the battery’s capacity. Standard auxiliary heating warms the cabin, ensuring additional comfort and sparing the driver the tedious task of scraping ice off the car.
When temperatures are even lower, the range extending gasoline engine supports the electric motor. In cold weather, the battery is preheated during charging to provide a full power capability. This preserves it during starting and benefits the battery’s capacity. Standard auxiliary heating warms the cabin, ensuring additional comfort and sparing the driver the tedious task of scraping ice off the car.
The Opel Ampera is electrically driven at all times. A unique 16 kWh
lithium-ion battery pack feeds an advanced, 111 kW/150 hp electric drive
unit to deliver between 40 and 80 km of pure electric operation with
zero emissions – depending on terrain, driving technique and temperature
– when fully charged. According to the official R(EC) 715/2007
regulation for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the Ampera consumes 1.2 l/100 km fuel and emits 27 g/km CO2.
Instant torque of 370 Nm enables zero to 100 km/h acceleration in under
ten seconds and a top speed of 161 km/h. The Ampera offers a unique
driving experience in battery operation, delivering nearly silent
electric drive and a highly refined NVH performance even in
extended range drive mode.
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