REPORT: Opel Ampera pricing hint suggests Chevy Volt might cost $35,000
Opel Ampera concept and one of the Cruze mules - click above for high-res image gallery
As we mentioned the other day, Opel is testing Ampera ER-EV mules in Germany on the way to the plug-in car's 2011 debut. Swiss news outlet the Tages-Anzeiger caught up with Open engineer Gherardo Corsini and learned a few new details about the European Chevy Volt that may help us learn more about the U.S. version that's coming at the end of 2010. Specifically, that the car's electric motor offers 370 Nm and 150 PS, the lithium-ion battery is made up of 220 individual cells. As in the U.S. test drives, the car is currently running solely off the battery pack. The range extender is not yet fully integrated. The full powertrain should be available for testing later this fall.
Opel boss Hans Demant refused to give an exact price for the Ampera, but the Tages-Anzeiger writes that he said in order for the Ampera to be a success, it shouldn't cost more than a fully-outfitted diesel Opel Zafira with automatic transmission. The Zafira 1.9 CDTI Cosmo Auto costs 44,300 Francs. As of today, this would mean a price in U.S. dollars of $41,800, in line with other numbers we've heard. Note, though, that this price is without the $7,500 rebate that will be available to Volt buyers in the U.S., which might (repeat, might) mean the Volt becomes a $35,000 car here. Maybe.
Gallery: Opel Ampera-Cruze test mules
[Source: Tages-Anzeiger]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2LS7? 7:22PM (9/07/2009)
If it's $41,800, it's $41,800. The $7500 tax credit is nice, but since not everyone can get it (for example, if you bought two Volts, you only get one rebate) it doesn't count. Note also that as far as I know, you have to front the full price and get the tax credit at the end of the year.
I personally would find a Volt pretty attractive at $41,800.
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polo 11:31PM (9/07/2009)
Even in your example the person would get the rebate. If this info is correct, the Volt is essentially $35,000, regardless of what you think.
why not the LS2LS7? 3:05AM (9/08/2009)
No matter what you think, it's still $41,800. That's what it will cost you, you just get some money from the IRS the year after you buy it.
FitFan 4:34AM (9/08/2009)
I don't think many people will buy TWO Volts. Why would you?
Gary 11:27AM (9/08/2009)
You'd have to buy two Nissan Leafs... one to drive while the other is charging. :-)
Jon 7:44PM (9/07/2009)
It might even be less than that... things are generally more expensive in Europe.
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Nateb123 11:23PM (9/07/2009)
Agreed. This is definitely key.
Matt 7:26AM (9/08/2009)
Yep, taking exchange rates into consideration you definitely get cars cheaper over there in the US
Spence 7:41PM (9/07/2009)
"The Zafira 1.9 CDTI Cosmo Auto costs 44,300 Francs."
So they have brought the Franc back. And are using it in Germany. Interesting!
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David Martin 8:24PM (9/07/2009)
This report is from a Swiss news item, and so is priced in Swiss Francs.
That is just under 30,000 Euros.
Spence 9:07PM (9/07/2009)
Ah yes, my bad. You never suspect the Swiss!
BMWFanatic 12:28PM (9/08/2009)
Not only that, but "Swiss news outlet the Tages-Anzeiger caught up with Open engineer Gherardo Corsini" ... the engineer works for Open!
fnc 8:28PM (9/07/2009)
Splitting hairs, he said "in order to be successful, it can't cost more than this". That sounds more like his opinion on what he thinks it should cost, and I bet he's not setting the price. I'm still thinking it'll be 40K+ before rebate.
But, you're getting what is practically an electric car for a comparatively reasonable price, that lacks the range anxiety you'd ordinarily have to live with. So, not a car for the masses at that price, but probably not unpalatable to the early adopters.
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Nick 1:38AM (9/08/2009)
$40k for this car in Europe really isn't as much as it would be here.
You read it yourself, a bland minivan (Zafira) with a tiny engine costs more than a brand spanking new Cadillac in the US.
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Mark Kiernan 6:16AM (9/08/2009)
An entry level Prius here in Italy is $37,000 before incentives, so yes I think if the Volt is sold for $40k here in Europe before incentives it will do pretty well.
I just hope they market it well. To Peter Nzila, do you think the winner of the German Federal election will continue to support Opel, in that Germany will give good incentives to buy the new Opel electric car?
Geoff de Ruiter 1:48AM (9/08/2009)
Man does that Ampera front with the headlights look slick. Distinguishes and defines the vehicle to a tee. If I saw that driving down the road and saw the front, I would know immediately which car that is. Good Job I hope it's kept.
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RJN 8:40AM (9/08/2009)
Geoff,
that is the production Ampera you are looking at.
If we are looking at €30-40000 in most markets in Europe for the Ampera, it will do well as it offers so much more than a Prius or Insight. And you get genuine fuel/emissions reduction as most of the time in European traffic you'd be running on electricity. Volt concept was based on American car useage and my guess is that average European driver drives less than 20 miles per day not 40 like in a the US.
lne937s 10:52AM (9/08/2009)
RJN-
The car in front is the styling prototype, not the final production model. Notice the hood cut line.
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/paying-attention-why-the-volts-fender-and-hood-cut-lines-were/
That final production model will end up being closer to the Daewoo Lacetti-based mule in the background (they are on the same platform). You should expect more realistic ground clearance, smaller wheels... But I would expect the front facia to look similar to prototype as it wouldn't cost that much to do it.
peter.nzila 3:43AM (9/08/2009)
Vidy_Z
The ampera looks more like the original volt. Espacily the continious line, beginning in the rearlights, passing the bottom edge of the side windows, merging in the headlights, ending and finding each other in the radiator grill of the car. Thats nice. The angulate headlights looks pretty cool for the moment, but over time they wold bother me. just a bit to mutch of design. Sry my english (being from germany)
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matthijs 9:21AM (9/08/2009)
The Zafira 1.9 CDTI Cosmo Auto costs CHF 42'300 (EUR 27'864) excluding 7.6% VAT Rate and maybe other car taxes Co2 taxes etc.
A fully-outfitted Zafira 1.9 CDTI Cosmo Auto costs according to the configurator (http://www.opel.ch/configurator/index.cfm?lang=de) CHF 59'980 (EUR 39'510) excluding 7.6% VAT Rate and maybe other car taxes Co2 taxes etc.
That's 57,207.10 USD excluding 7.6% VAT Rate and maybe other car taxes Co2 taxes etc.
And no tax credit here my friends. Considering the expected lower running cost of the Volt + the rebate in my (Euro) view it's gonna be a steal!
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