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The Vauxhall Ampera has been named the 2012 Car of the Year, closely beating the Volkswagon Up!
The five-door, four-seater saloon car, sold as the Chevrolet Volt in the US, is an electric vehicle with an on-board petrol generator that would set you back £37,250 for the most basic model.
Slick design and environmentally friendly- the Vauxhall Ampera.
[Related article: How the Geneva Motor Show set out its stall over the years]
The five-door, four-seater saloon car, sold as the Chevrolet Volt in the US, is an electric vehicle with an on-board petrol generator that would set you back £37,250 for the most basic model.
Slick design and environmentally friendly- the Vauxhall Ampera. Named ‘What Car?’ Green Car of the Year 2011 it was also awarded a five star Euro NCAP rating for driver safety in August of that year.
[Related article: How the Geneva Motor Show set out its stall over the years]
The Ampera pulled in 330 of the 1,475 vote points cast with the Volkswagon Up! getting 281 points. The Ford Focus followed closely behind with 256. The Range Rover Evoque, the Toyota Yaris, the Citroen DS5, and the Fiat Panda were also shortlisted for the award.
The VW Up! came close to claiming to 2012 Car of the Year award.
The VW Up! came close to claiming to 2012 Car of the Year award.
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The votes, announced at the Geneva Motor Show, were cast by 59 journalists from 23 countries.
"The Ampera/Volt, with a petrol engine operating as a generator when needed, faces the so called ‘range anxiety’ of battery-driven car users with the concept of an 'Extended range EV'. GM has addressed the concerns on heat control of the lithium-ion battery pack with new solutions."
The votes, announced at the Geneva Motor Show, were cast by 59 journalists from 23 countries.
"For users who cover moderate daily distances, the autonomy as an electric vehicle is adequate, recharge rather fast and the energy cost very low," said the Car of the Year organisation. "Other kind of motorists would have to eventually rely in electric energy generated on board.
"The Ampera/Volt, with a petrol engine operating as a generator when needed, faces the so called ‘range anxiety’ of battery-driven car users with the concept of an 'Extended range EV'. GM has addressed the concerns on heat control of the lithium-ion battery pack with new solutions."
