Vauxhall Ampera (Chevrolet Volt) hatchback review - CarBuyer

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Vauxhall Ampera 2014 review: bit.ly/1cTmDNM
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Competition in the eco car segment is hotting up, and the Vauxhall Ampera is a real contender. Its CO2 emissions are lower than any efficient diesel or hybrid currently on the market. That means there's no road tax to pay, and it's exempt from the London Congestion Charge, too. The Ampera can be plugged into the mains to charge up the batteries (a process which takes around four hours) and can run on electricity alone for around 50 miles, so you shouldn't need a drop of petrol for most journeys. And even when you do need to travel a bit further, economy is so good that you will rarely have to visit a petrol station. But for all of its green credentials, the Ampera offers strong performance. It's fast, features sporty looks and an attractive high-spec interior. All this comes at a price though, as the Ampera is more expensive than its hybrid and all-electric competitors. And if you think it looks familiar, that's because it's the same car underneath as the Chevrolet Volt.
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Опубликовано:

29 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 446

@Frappelychee 9 лет назад

this one is more stylish in the front than the American volt o_o

@vauxhallmadnessuk5923 8 лет назад

yes i know its because of those boomerang headlights

@karigrandii 7 лет назад

But the new 2017 volt looks really good in the rear

@Charlzey1998 8 лет назад

"If you drive over a speed bump this happens" (purposly damages a £50000 car)

@CitarNosis317 7 лет назад

Haha, it's a test car. It's made to be destroyed, and oh boy, trust me, the reviewers will destroy them. If it's not given to reviewers, regular folks test drive them, and basically, the employees of the company use the cars as beaters (they all do this in my country).

@Voxac100b 6 лет назад

Charlzey1998 far too fast no wonder

@directorjustin 6 лет назад

It's just the flexible plastic air dam. It hangs low for efficiency and bends (and scrapes) out of the way when going over speed bumps and driveways.

@jlghardy 9 лет назад

I have an Ampera. This guy misses out the best bit. Floor it at a standstill and the instant torque takes your breath away. At the lights you can leave for dead anything driven by a petrol engine that isn't on cam in the right gear and with the turbo spooled up. My favourite victims are young lads driving Imprezas and the like. You can hear this rising scream behind you as the poor guy endeavours to recover his self respect.

@vauxhallmadnessuk5923 7 лет назад

jlghardy very true.

@Callusny 6 лет назад

That's every EV / Hybrid car ever though

@adamY2K 12 лет назад

8 years warranty has been around since 2001 for the toyota prius. £1 in 50 miles but then after that it doesnt really cost £1 and it cost £10000 more to buy new compared to a normal rival. So all in all, you would only really start to see savings if you did all your driving in the city, in which case you might aswel take public transport, a bike, or walk. Or it would take you about 15 years to break even

@camaroman101 12 лет назад

yea different cars suit different needs. there's a graph/chart i saw somewhere that basically told you what eco car would be best for you depending on your mileage/location btwn the prius, leaf, and volt/ampera. the volt/ampera is best when used mostly when your daily roundtrip commute is less than 38miles.

@alanhawkins918 8 лет назад

Very good informative review. Was thinking of buying an early model of this or it's American cousin the Chevrolet Volt. Worth a punt as 2012 models now less than half the price of when new. Should be a bargain as it would save you thousands on long term running costs.

@RetroGamerVX 12 лет назад

Yup, fine if your a commutor, but if you use it for travelling etc, makes no difference. The difference is price also negates any fuel savings :o(

@tomhill3907 8 лет назад

that horns a brilliant idea, being in the countryside I find myself stuck behind a horse rider in my lexus rx400h who cant hear me on electric. Can't blast the horn as ill end up with a horse and rider on the bonnet. So I have to accept that I will be home 4 hours late :D

@wintersun398 2 года назад

was that a young mat watson now of carwow?

@adamY2K 12 лет назад

Its true the city drive is cheap but then when do you ever get 50 miles out of it. Electric cars never get that unless driven with a feather foot and in a busy city environment your constantly braking and need swift exits etc. Plus like I said the £10000 extra it costs to buy this thing over a similiar rival way offsets the fuel cost. It makes it very very expensive to own if you take all factors into consideration

@ExAnimoPortugal 12 лет назад

If I had the money I would go right away buy this car. It is just so different from anything else on the road...

@jameslove888 12 лет назад

Ireland is Opel too.

@s0nnyburnett 12 лет назад

Oh god that bag thing is hilarious.

@whips211 11 лет назад

so how much is it

@TheJaytotheBee 12 лет назад

Why not just get a diesel saloon instead. That'll probably get better mileage, handle better as it doesn't suffer from the weight of the batteries and isn't as ridiculously expensive. I really don't get the point of this car.

@boyhash1 12 лет назад

Why does Europe always get the better looking versions of our cars?

@niVanoJ 11 лет назад

cool review

@falconrockermatthew 12 лет назад

Also known as where I'm from in the States, the Chevrolet Volt.

@m4rs12 10 лет назад

This guy is very entertaining yet informative. I like it!

@DarrenPersad 8 лет назад

This is absolutely gorgeous compared to the North American counterpart. The interior is designed a fair bit nicer and the small touches to exterior and the different front facia really make this quite nice. Not to mention the Vauxhall logo is much nicer to look at than a Chevrolet logo, and "Ampera" just sounds more sophisticated (in my mind) than "Volt".

@Ace-sn6nc 9 лет назад

I like this car it looks really good

@None17555 7 лет назад

Why didn't anyone research these before doing reviews? Christ, the misinformation on these random old videos that pop up on auto play. @1:53 the ICE "doesn't ever drive the wheels." FALSE. At "high speeds" (which chevy publicized as 70mph, but it really starts at ~45mph), a second clutch will engage and the 'petrol' engine will 'drive the wheels.' The misinformation doesn't stop there. The gas motor is NOT a generator. There is a second electric motor which serves as a generator. The gas motor powers that at low speeds, which in turn powers the engine and charges the battery when possible. It *does not run just to charge the battery*. The Volt wouldn't last a year if that's how it were engineered. The constant charge/discharge of such a circuit over a lithium ion would best case scenario wear out each cell within a few months, and worst case scenario blow one of them up.

@None17555 7 лет назад

He repeats that idiotic nonsense @3:00 with a joke about hitting pedestrians. Well, my first carbuyer video will be my last! If they can't even do the cursory research on this vehicle I can't imagine they're informed on any others.

@sixaxis222 2 года назад

Today Matt looks much older but not the Ampera. :)))

@DreamCarGarage1 8 лет назад

Easily one of the best looking of all the hybrid cars ans if you pop a set of the Astra VXR wheels on it and it will look sweet!

@vauxhallmadnessuk5923 8 лет назад

Defiantly agree. My dads stuck some 5 spoke astra alloys in gloss black to his ampera and it looks so nice

@banpowel9784 4 года назад

But???? The audi A6 is not an electric range extending vehicle, that glides along in complete silence

@psychotron9 7 лет назад

Recently bought a 2013 model for under £13k - and I am so impressed, it really is the future, will stay till I win the lottery and can afford a Tesla

@biggerbitcoin5126 Год назад

How was the reliability? Do you stay recommend it?

@danhamakua9757 10 лет назад

Great car. I want one.

@Techno-Charge 2 года назад

Nobody has commented from last 5 years. I like plugin hybrid, best of both worlds.

@svyatozar 3 года назад

The perfect one. This is gonna be my next car!

@miyname183 8 лет назад

Discontinued in Europe. What a surprise. Let's continue to frak and drill for oil cause wars and destroy the planet. But drive to the supermarket and back in our Jim jams.

@iainansell5930 8 лет назад

well...if they'd put the drivetrain into something practical, say like a zafira, they'd be selling a bucketload of them. instead they made a 4 seat company car which will always be in competition with bmw's... the mitsubushi outlander phev is a similar concept, however, the car is spacious, has 3 proper big seats in the back, and a decent sized boot... whencs why it is so popular...

@thorbjrnmadsen4984 7 лет назад

Miy Name You obviously hate the environment and you wipe your ass with the environment!

@baldandold 11 лет назад

they are called SPEED humps not to encourage speed.....lol, try slowing down!

@darrenc12pdg123 10 лет назад

You can pick one up for just over 20k and with the £5000 government grant thats 15K for a 1 year old saloon that does over 200 mpg

@4lemer 12 лет назад

The Volt/Ampera is not an EV but a plug-in hybrid. Just a more advanced Prius.

@89074eric 12 лет назад

The Leaf may have more features but it is only electric and after fifty miles its a giant immovable pile of junk.

@southernwatertribe22 11 лет назад

I personally believe Chevrolet and Ford need to change their ugly logos like Mazda did.

@omarrazak5422 2 года назад

Omg Matt ! U look soooooo young haha ! Ur a devil now !

@omrtnz5100 3 года назад

I like the distinct front end look of the ampera better than the volts.

@RetroGamerVX 12 лет назад

so, with a full tank, you get about 450 miles? about the same as a normal car then? What the bugger is the point of this again can you remind me?

@AyJayCaldarella 11 лет назад

The front of the car looks like a woman with tons of mascara crying and all her mascara is draining down her face...

@smartordertechnology504 9 лет назад

3:40 I love this part XD

@billisdewillis5 9 лет назад

Why do all the journalists run the battery down when they are not filming and then film the whole piece with the range extender running?

@mariolosberg4257 8 лет назад

Why diferent names?? there was brother's Opel - Adam Opel... and yess Opel is quality car,my brother drives astra almost 8 years and it works like a swiss watch..reliable car..

@garethhinton844 10 лет назад

So it's the same price as an A6. Gonna give us a clue how much that is? I could watch the A6 review, but that could be the same as a BMW 520, etc etc. name a price man.

@SIMcityplayer2002 10 лет назад

The price might change so then they might get sued.

@angusnz7910 3 года назад

I want one bit can’t find anyone in NZ (we don’t have many) willing to sell it. Long term people are hanging onto these

@pri3stb0y 12 лет назад

Great review, as always! Not sure if you read my message before doing this review, but thanks for doing one of the Ampera. I also drove it here and it seems we have similar opinions of the car. Although, I must say, in some conditions, the petrol engine is really not silent at all, especially at motorway speeds.

@ertreri 8 лет назад

how many posters is a full tank. 310 miles for how many liters on the petrol generator? cause if say you do not have that many opportunities to run a the car on the electric engine during the week because changing from your flat is not an option and the garage does not give you a socket you can use... then what are you left with? an engine that as will drain 20 liters per 100 km?

@None17555 7 лет назад

Sorry this is so late but you posted on an old video :) Two things -- The video is flat wrong. There is no petrol generator. There are three motors. There's an electric motor which is powered by the battery or generator to drive the vehicle. There's a second electric motor which serves as a generator (through the use of low gear, regenerative braking, and the third motor). That third motor runs on gas. At low speeds, it powers the generator which in turn powers the first motor and charges the battery. At high speeds, it drives the car directly. @2:00 the video could not be more wrong. The dash on these even shows you the interactions of the 3 motors, so it's VERY clear when the gas motor is the only one in operation. The worst case scenario for efficiency in this vehicle is at idle allowing the gas motor to push the generator to charge the battery, then in turn using the first motor to drive the vehicle on electric. In other words going gas -> battery -> drive, which includes about a 35% energy loss. That worst case is about 15 KPL. Real world, running just on gas, you'll get between 20 and 25. It could drop a bit below that if you never topped off with the charger, because at a low enough charger the car will force the generator on to maintain healthy battery life. I'd bet in decent weather you'd still get 20kpl highway though. Much better than the 5 you were suggesting.

@None17555 7 лет назад

The tank is 35 liters by the way. I forgot you asked.

@Azurel777 11 лет назад

Excuse me, my good man, would you mind terribly, getting out of my way?

@electrictroy2010 9 лет назад

DISCONTINUED IN EUROPE, JAPAN, AND AUSTRALIA. The Americans get the new G2 version, but the overseas markets do not, because overseas drivers did not want the car (they already have 50-80 mpg-us diesels) .

@whocares264 2 года назад

Best vauxhall ever made

@Gamekep 12 лет назад

I hate how GM sells the Volt as a "100% electric car with an extended range"...It's called an hybrid!!! Only the electric motor runs the car, we know that, the petrol engine is there to assit the e-motor when it runs out of power, but that still makes it hybrid!...A Prius can run on electricity only too (only up to a certain speed I know whereas the Volt isn't limited like such), but they don't call it full electric! GM say the Volt competes with the LEAF, but it's not true IMO

@HB45175 12 лет назад

Well you're half right, it runs on petrol because it was developed by GM in Detroit, and americans don't do diesel because of their cheap petrol. As for market appeal, both Volt and Ampera appeal on image, but the European in the Ampera will earn back his money much quicker than the American in the Volt. The market with the best potential for fuel efficient cars is Europe. If only it were a Diesel Hybrid...

@clawhammr666 2 года назад

Thanks for the video, this seemed great, saw one for sale and looked for this video 'huh, this seems great!' until he mentioned touch screen buttons in the middle and it being low/noise when going over speed bumps and there are lot of speed bumps in my town, so nope!

@adrianador 11 лет назад

yes i pey attention but this car is pointles... as enny car can do 300 miles.is max reange on batery can go only 20 miles max.. my laguna do 650 miles :) petrol 205 bhp so wher is this 150 mpg "lol" i done som re serach and this car run cost is like chawing corsa on 99 pleates 6,5 liters to 100 km :)

@Kev50027 12 лет назад

It looks like it wore too much eye liner and then got dumped by its much faster, gasoline powered cousin so it was crying all day long. The back looks like the designer forgot whether he was making a station wagon or a sedan, so he mixed both and came out with something that's sticking it's butt in the air. In layman terms, that car is ugly.

@TommoRulezOK 11 лет назад

Ohand just to add, I know the looks aspect is a point of view and doesn't represent everyone. I actually visited a Vauxhall dealership (which were being really pushy to get my dad to buy a Vauxhall Ampera). Anyway...I asked the salesman why the Ampera was £5000 more than the equivalent Chevrolet. He told me that you paid extra because you have the "pedigree" of a Vauxhall Badge. GM need to cut this crap. Badge Engineering isn't working. Also..since when was owning a Vauxhall prestigious?

@hammy434 12 лет назад

the point is that they're developing electric cars before we run out of petrol, so when the fuel does run out, we will have electric cars with good range. ok, yes i know it has a petrol engine, but its only 35.2L, so not much petrol is used really since you will be charging it at night. the petrol is only used in an emergency. unlike you i think its a really good idea that they're developing electric cars so we don't have no transportation in the future.

@plusgood15 12 лет назад

The point is that you can use it as a normal electric car without constantly worrying about running out of juice and then having to wait an extended period before using it again. In this sense, during the week, if your commute is less than 50 miles in total a day you can use this as an electric car and then if you need to go on a road trip on the weekend you can do that too. I don't see why this is so hard to understand?

@adamY2K 12 лет назад

so wait a full tank of fuel on a regular hybrid or diesel would give you about 550 miles range. A full tank plus full charge on the ampera gives you 50 miles of electric power, and 350 miles of extra fuel electric generated power which is 400 miles and thats if you drive it carefully. -_- So for a car that costs substantially more than traditional cars, is ugly and not completely fault free it travels less. So what sthe point!!

@marckart66 2 года назад

I'm looking at these and an I3. You can get an i3 for around £13k, you can pick up the Ampera for around £7k. For me a used Ampera is better value for money... but there doesn't seem to be many people loving them like the I3.

@Fertro 12 лет назад

So, if it has the petrol generator to charge the batteries if need be, what is the point of owning it? It'll cost the same to fill up with petrol, so you could get something that has better mileage, but is cheaper.

@eternalhalloween1 10 лет назад

The idea and concept is good. And I like how if you run out of range, you can have a backup system with the gas ready to kick in to charge the batteries if need be. Of course the major problem is that you have to be aware that pedestrians walking by may not hear you coming. I believe the Nissan Leaf took that into account, and the car makes an artificial noise if you go under 20 mph. And of course there is the cost problem. It seems the only people who can afford this car are rich people who can afford gas but don't want to pay the cost of it anymore.

@banpowel9784 4 года назад

Really makes sense, 50 miles pure electric around town, and lets face it, pure EVs, get awful range on motorways, once driven above 60mph, so a small petrol generator, providing elevtricity, on long motorway hauls is more efficient. The other plus point, if your stuck in a huge motorway traffic jam, in really freezing weather, you don't need to worry about the electric running out, due to its constant use of the heater, in the ampera, just switch to petrol, turn on mountain mode, and enjoy the heat

@Treadstone7 11 лет назад

If someone could please answer: I'm from germany and I would like know, which version of pronounciation is correct. I heard someone saying "Vouhall" and in this video he says "Voxhall" how is the word "Vouxhall" correctly pronounciated ?

@H-T-Energy 11 лет назад

The exterior is a lot better looks than Prius. But, interior is so tight, which is not comfortable for back seat passenger, as well as space for the trunk, Those parts should be remodeled or fixed, so that 4 people or 5 people can fit comfortably.

@egastap 12 лет назад

Did you never wonder why the front skirt scrapes the floor after going over a speed bump....it's because you're going too fast dummy. Speed bumps are there to make you travel over them slower, or had you not figured that out yet?

@monkeymanprophecy 12 лет назад

i love this guy's reviews...buts just to state one point.....nobody, i mean NOBODY in the USA gives a shit about extra large bottle holders....now if if u were talking abt extra large mcdonald's cup holders, we would completley understand

@treadstoneoperation 12 лет назад

what u mean useless? Talking about electric cars the Tesla is the only one that really is 100% electric, you don't have to mess with gas stations. Price is not much higher than the Ampera, you get 7 seats, sport perfomances and luxury interiors.

@SiebzehnZwo 12 лет назад

in my country you need to be 18 as well. i'll reach that in 5 months and I'm glad about that because I'm not that sure if i can drive an oldschool petrol car when i come into working life where i have enough money to buy one but maybe not to drive one.

@MrHubb1 12 лет назад

It looks nice but why on earth they didn't make this a five seater is so stupid. I dont have kids but occasionally I carry a few mates in the back and for anyone with a family the lack of 3 rear seats is sure to be an issue. Makes no sense.

@Driftuner 12 лет назад

the thing is that the engine, unlike some other hybrid cars, is NOT driving the wheels, its just spining in idle to make power for the batteries, that means u can go 100km with just a bit over 1 liter (60miles with a bit over a quarter of a gallon)

@Crazychicken224 12 лет назад

Yes, General Motors is the Parent company of Chev, Pontiac, vauxhaull, opel, Saturn, Holden, Buick and GMC not to forget Cadillac. lol So yes these cars are identical, the difference between the 2 is the badging and the name :)

@krazislav 12 лет назад

'coz if you do less than 50 miles daily in the city, like driving to work or shopping, it's like driving on air. Costs pennies and the quietness is really something else - if you're into that sort of thing.

@Kev50027 12 лет назад

So your response to my reasoned argument is that I'm bad? Okay. Let me know when you grow up and are able to argue, buddy. In the mean time, work on your grammar.

@Aleksandarbulldog 12 лет назад

yeah i know... but the thing is that Chevrolet has the same car "Volt" but this one looks way better. And in the long run the A6 would coast less to keep and resale. I mean i still would not by one...

@ccolivardia 12 лет назад

its new tech. im guessing once it gets more integrated into the automotive industry, the cost of this system will dwindle to the point when they can cost just as much as the petrol equivalent.

@TheUnboxerMan 12 лет назад

From desription: "ts CO2 emissions are lower than any efficient diesel or hybrid currently on the market. That means there's no road tax to pay, and it's exempt from the London Congestion Charge, too."

@Driftuner 12 лет назад

wooow...they will warrant the batteries for 8 years wooooow...now ask me how long these batteries life time ist???!!!! eletric cars is the most stupid invention that human kind ever made...

@babylonian5 12 лет назад

I hope well see a lot more of these cars on the roads in 10 years

@Top_Gear_Clips_Central Год назад

its been 10 years, and we dont see the ampera much

@Izzy01711 7 месяцев назад

Complete opposite 😂

@branot89 11 лет назад

Me neither. Look at 2nd generation Mazda 6. In Europe it looks beautifull, in US it looks ugly. Honda Accord also looks better and more sportier in Europe. Do Americans like ugly cars?

@Andy-oe8bi 11 лет назад

too much hassle in my eyes think what you get with an audi A6 reliability, quality,stupendious build quality resale values shall i go on oh yes and alot more miles on a tank of diesel

@matthewyoung6217 11 лет назад

StupidEpicVideo....General Motors operates in continental Europe as Opal and in UK as Vauxhall. In the US GM use European models under the Buick name as well as reverse as here.

@Desus80 12 лет назад

Because of the nowadays lack of charging stations you don't buy an electric car because you need one. You do 'cause you want one. An this is the only one formula that makes sense.

@AllexRadu 12 лет назад

Are you blind, can't you see is a skinned Chevy Volt? Why didn't you mention that in the review, this is very important information for car buyers.

@Fertro 12 лет назад

True, but in terms of value, there isn't really an advantage, is there? Keep in mind, I'm just assuming that it's a 60L (Or so) and not a tiny thing.

@Epic0fear0 12 лет назад

Serious question: How come ford and chevrolet always seem to favor their europe market over their home country? (Ford Focus RS, better looking cars, more reliable, etc.)

@quackcement 12 лет назад

i think this car will have more street cred than an a6, its meant for people who want somthing new that dont want to compromise, somehow that makes me want one myself.

@hammy434 11 лет назад

if you're in a hurry i doubt you're going to slow down for a speed bump, so to answer your question anyone who needs to get somewhere as quicker then normal.

@Danzigmad 12 лет назад

Batteries covered for eight years then what new set if batteries nobody would buy these second hand. I would hate to think how much replacement batteries are.

@Splitscreen83 10 лет назад

What's all this talk about Tesla? They cost 50K minimum, have no quickcharging stations in the UK (the video is talking about UK buyers) and the range is based on 55mph. Just who drives at that speed? After all, one of Teslas main selling points is the fact that they are as quick as most sports cars. I suggest that if you drove one of these hard (like a real sports car would be) you'd be lucky to get 100 miles from a charge.There's only THREE dealers in the UK who service them !!! Get real, LOL

@Thegreyraccoon 10 лет назад

If were not for Tesla we would be driving 60 - 100 mile electric cars. Tesla showed it was possible to get beyond 200+ miles on a single charge without having something that looks ugly. Or some space age technology. Tesla showed the electric car is not the problem. Plus they help others develop better batteries. I suppose it's like when the I iPhone first came along. It showed you can take already existing things and arrange them in a new way to create something better