Opel Ampera 2011–2015 car dimensions: 4498 mm long, 1787 mm wide and 1439 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,732 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 310 litres.
The cabin seats four in individual bucket seats with a leather-trimmed steering wheel and electronic climate control as standard. A seven-inch colour touchscreen handles audio, climate, power flow and charging settings, paired with a second seven-inch driver display for speed, range and efficiency. Cruise control is standard. Higher trims add front and rear parking sensors plus a reversing camera with path guidelines. An optional front camera pack brings lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, following distance indicator and forward collision alert that can automatically slow the car.
Boot space is 310 litres with the rear seats up. The two individual rear seats fold separately to give up to 1005 litres. A recessed underfloor compartment holds the charge cable and tyre kit.
The Ampera is not engineered or approved for towing a trailer or another vehicle, so braked and unbraked capacities are zero. Roof load is also zero to preserve aerodynamics and range.
Payload is 268 kg. The car suits everyday passenger and light cargo use but is not set up for heavy work or trailer duties.
The cabin has leather-trimmed seats on main grades with heated fronts that can be activated remotely while charging. Electronic climate control is standard with eco and comfort modes. Dual high-definition displays sit in a wrap-around dash for clear info and controls. Four bucket seats give good front space and solid rear legroom for two, though the sloping roof limits headroom. Ambient lighting, keyless entry and start, and storage in consoles and doors make daily use straightforward.
Weighted combined fuel use 1.2 l/100 km with 27 g/km CO2.
Service every 30 000 km or one year, whichever first, with oil-life monitor.
Euro NCAP five stars: 85% adult, 78% child, 41% pedestrian, 86% assist.
Standard kit: eight airbags including dual-stage front and knees, full curtains, ESP, ABS, tyre-pressure monitoring, ISOFIX.
The Ampera runs as an extended-range electric vehicle. A 16 kWh lithium-ion battery gives typical pure-electric range of 40-80 km. The 1.4-litre petrol generator then supplies power for a total range over 500 km. Official weighted figures stand at 1.2 l/100 km and 27 g/km CO2. Fuel is Super petrol, E10-compatible. Regenerative braking helps reclaim energy.
Maintenance is due every 30 000 km or annually, whichever comes first, unless the service display shows otherwise. An oil-life system monitors the petrol engine and signals when a change is needed. Confirmations go in the service booklet. Specialist workshops handle the high-voltage components.
Euro NCAP awarded five stars. Adult protection scored 85 percent with a stable cell and maximum points in side and pole tests. Child protection reached 78 percent. Pedestrian protection was 41 percent. Safety assist scored 86 percent. Eight airbags are standard along with ESP-plus, ABS with brake assist, seat-belt pretensioners and force limiters, and ISOFIX anchors.
The battery carries an eight-year or 100 000-mile warranty. Keep the charge cable and tyre kit in the under-floor boot compartment. Regular checks on the 12 V battery and cooling circuits help reliability. Use authorised repairers familiar with the system for any high-voltage work.
Length 4498 mm, Width 1787 mm, Height 1439 mm, Wheelbase 2685 mm (Ampera 2011–2015)
Sources: manufacturer data, Adam Opel AG price list Preise, Ausstattungen & technische Daten, 30 April 2012, Opel Ampera brochure NSO/MY15, Adam Opel AG, edition 02/2014: same propulsion, consumption and range figures, Vauxhall Ampera specification guide, October 2012.