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The Vauxhall Ampera passed an important milestone last Friday, when the first pre-production car rolled off the line at GM’s Pre-Production Operations' assembly line in Warren, Michigan. More validation Amperas will be built in coming months, and will be used by engineers in Europe and the United States for testing the production-intent design. The focus will be on developing the final vehicle software and controls, fine-tuning the vehicles' driving characteristics, and performing safety and structural integrity testing.
“We’re right on target for producing the Ampera for European markets later next year,” said Andrew Farah, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Ampera. “There’s still work to be done, but being able to drive an Ampera off our pre-production line is a great accomplishment for the teams here and in Europe.

The Ampera extended-range electric vehicle delivers up to 40 miles of pure electric driving before an engine-generator kicks in to sustain the battery charge and seamlessly extends the range to more than 300 miles. The battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household outlet. It is scheduled to be in UK showrooms by early 2012.

The Sports Tourer, which will be premiered at this year’s Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris, will be the second model to join the New Astra range, which has now sold over 28,000 units in the UK (to end of May 2010) since its launch last December, and has helped the Astra become Britain’s best-selling retail range in the first five months of this year.

Combining high levels of practicality, clothed in a typically sleek and rakish body from Brit Mark Adams’ design team, the Sports Tourer is available to order now and will arrive in UK showrooms at the end of October 2010.

Illustrating the depth of Vauxhall’s engineering and manufacturing excellence in the UK, the Sports Tourer will be assembled solely at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, while its new upper-body structure has been 100 per cent engineered at Vauxhall Engineering Centre in Bedfordshire. And, like the recently launched Astra Sport Hatch, the Sports Tourer will feature key dynamic elements tuned for UK roads.

Packed with clever features, the Astra Sports Tourer maintains the hatch’s wheelbase (2685mm), yet its superior packaging has allowed the maximum load length to be increased by 28mm to 1,835mm, and its load volume by 30 litres to *500 litres with the rear seats up.

As well as boasting a cargo area with flat wall linings to fully optimise available space, a new FlexFold feature (standard or optional depending on trim level) allows each section of the 60:40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be lowered at the press of a button housed in the walls of the cargo compartment. In addition, with the rear seat cushions folded up against the front seat-backs, the Sports Tourer has a completely flat load floor and a maximum load capacity of up to **1550 litres. A further new addition is the Easy-Access Cargo Cover which effortlessly slides upwards and away at the touch of a button.

Also starring at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris are the latest New Meriva diesel models, completing the seven-engine line-up for this groundbreaking car – three petrol and four diesel. The two ultra-efficient units on show boost the range’s green credentials and offer still more performance than before.

The first new addition is a 95PS 1.3 CDTi engine, which will power all Meriva ecoFLEX models. Featuring closed-loop combustion control, the 1.3 CDTi (95PS) uses a variable geometry turbocharger and is mated to a gearbox with taller ratios. As a result, the Meriva ecoFLEX’s emissions drop to 119g/km and it achieves fuel consumption on the combined cycle of 62.8mpg – a 9 per cent improvement over the 1.3 CDTi engine in the Meriva’s previous range. The 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX joins the 1.3 CDTi (75PS), which was available from launch.

For those Meriva buyers after more performance, but who still require the efficiency and economy expected from a modern diesel, the new 1.7 CDTi (130PS) has all the answers. With up to 300Nm of torque available from 2000-2500rpm, the Meriva’s most powerful diesel takes just 9.9 seconds to accelerate from 0-62mph and will hit a top speed of 121mph.

But brisk performance hasn’t come at the expense of economy. On the combined cycle, the 1.7 CDTi (130PS) still achieves 54.3mpg and C02 emissions of just 138g/km, made possible by a comprehensive package of efficiency upgrades.

All 1.7 CDTi (130PS) Merivas have six speed manual gearboxes as standard and provide a more performance-focused alternative to the existing 1.7 CDTi (100PS), which is available as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Ampera travels 175 electrically-driven UK miles; production car would have enough range for a return trip

Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port workforce gives huge welcome to car at journey's end

Trip gives real-world demonstration of Ampera's everyday usability on UK roads

Luton/Ellesmere Port - Vauxhall today gave the most persuasive demonstration yet of its new Ampera's core strengths of ultra-low emissions and real-world usability when a prototype car traversed seven UK counties; its production version would have enough energy left to do the same again.

The 175-mile journey started at Luton, Vauxhall's home for the last 105 years, wound its way up the M1 and M6 motorways via Birmingham, and ended up with a tumultuous reception at the company's UK manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Every mile covered by the Ampera E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) was electrically driven, yet on reaching Ellesmere, its range extender meant that it could travel still further. In full production guise, the Ampera would have made it back to Luton.

This 350-mile potential is unique in an electric vehicle and made possible by the Ampera's range-extender, a small petrol engine/generator that seamlessly cuts in after around 40 miles to sustain the battery's charge. The battery then continues to power the Ampera's electric drive unit, which in turn drives its front wheels.

Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall's Managing Director drove the first leg of the journey, and was waved off by Griffin House staff at 10am this morning. "This is truly a red-letter day for Vauxhall," said Duncan. "The Ampera will offer British motorists a groundbreaking solution to low emissions car ownership, and will prove that running an electric car no longer means being anxious about charge levels after the first few miles. What's more, its performance and refinement will surprise motorists, as will its practicality - it's a genuine proposition for green-thinking families and businesses alike."

Tony Francavilla, Plant Director at Ellesmere Port, was optimistic about the car's future in the UK: "The Ampera will re-adjust people's attitudes toward electric vehicles as crude, slow and compromised. It's none of these, yet has the potential to be used every day with zero tailpipe emissions, and without a trip to the filling station. Our workforce here at Ellesmere Port is right behind the Ampera, and we look forward to seeing it on British roads at the start of 2012."

Putting your back into it will be something of the past with Vauxhall's New Meriva, as scientific research proves it is the first car that can actually help reduce back strain and harmful twisting motions.

The New Meriva's benefits are the result of its groundbreaking rear-hinged back doors - the revolutionary FlexDoors. Similar to those seen on the iconic London black cab, the FlexDoors provide easy access to the rear seats, making entering and exiting the car and lifting objects in and out effortless - ideal for parents with little ones, and for the older generation.

To prove the benefits of the New Meriva, Vauxhall commissioned research with a biomechanical research team from Coventry University. The team rigorously tested motions mimicking everyday actions that drivers - in particular parents- will carry out, such as handling bags of shopping and fitting/removing baby seats. The results will certainly make people sit up straight: the New Meriva ensures that twists in the back are reduced by up to 48%1 compared to a car with standard doors, while the loads put on the muscles are up to 58%2 lower.

Dr James Shippen of Coventry University, who headed the research, comments: "With this research we wanted to prove that the New Meriva could actually help the physical wellbeing of drivers everywhere. The results speak for themselves - you'll be putting significantly less strain on your back with this car."

The New Meriva comes at a time when more and more Brits are injuring their backs, with 80% of us suffering back pain at some point in our lives and one in six working days are taken as sick days due to a bad back3.

According to physiotherapist, Joshua Wies: "Back injuries are arguably the most frequent injuries experienced by people in this country. With the lives we lead nowadays we're often putting enormous pressure on our spine and back muscles, and it doesn't take much for a small strain to lead to a serious problem. A car like the New Meriva is ideal for helping reduce the risk of injury in everyday life, especially for those more prone to back strains, like the elderly and parents with young kids."

Vauxhall's New Meriva is available to purchase now. For further information please visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/meriva.


1 Based on Phase II research conducted by Coventry University under the leadership of Dr James Shippen, dated 23 April 2010. Subject was tested on removal of an object from the New Meriva and the previous Meriva.

2 Based on Phase II research conducted by Coventry University under the leadership of Dr James Shippen, dated 23 April 2010. Subject was tested on removal of an object from the New Meriva and the previous Meriva.

3 Palmer KT, Walsh K, et al. Back pain in Britain: comparison of two prevalence surveys at an interval of 10 years.

Distinctive styling upgrades and paint finish create unique appearance

Lowered suspension and 17-inch black alloy wheels add sporty stance

Offered for a limited time only
Luton - If you can't decide if white really is the new black when it comes to car colour choice, Vauxhall has the perfect solution with a new limited edition Corsa.

Drivers of the new Black & White Limited Edition model will be making a real statement, with its striking combination of glacier white bodywork, black 17-inch twin spoke alloy wheels and detailing, topped off - literally - with a black sapphire roof.

To complete the look, the new Corsa sits on lowered suspension and sports a VXR styling kit comprising front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and new roof spoiler all fitted as standard.

A piano black centre console with contrasting white air vents continues the black and white theme on the inside, and for the finishing touch there are even alloy sports pedals and Limited Edition badging.

Standard specification on the Corsa Limited Edition also includes air con, fog lights, cruise control and CD changer with MP3 format including auxiliary connectivity. And as if the new Corsa wasn't personalised enough already, a wide range of options can be specified including Bluetooth, electronic climate control and rear parking sensors.

In spite of its sporting intent, the new Corsa limited edition will be easy on the wallet and environment. Customers can choose from two frugal and efficient engines: an 85PS 1.2 16v VVT petrol, or the 75PS 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX, with combined fuel consumption cycles of 53.3 and 65.7mpg respectively.

Emissions are also impressively low at 124g/Km for the 1.2 16v and 114g for the ecoFLEX model meaning that both engine variants qualify for the new zero first year VED banding.

Prices for the Corsa Limited Edition range from £13,995 for the 3-door 1.2 16v, to £15,400 for the 5-door ecoFLEX diesel.

But buyers need to move quickly: this limited edition is only in showrooms from next month until the end of the year.

From December the all new Vauxhall Astra will be available here. Speak to a member of our team for your chance to one of the first to get a test drive or you can search for New Astra models that will be available through our new website.