car of the year 2012

[briggie]

vauxhall ampera

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/280735/vauxhall_ampera.html

[clivvy]

well, I think its pretty flippin lush myself. It obviously steals so many ideas from Honda and Toyota, but this car really is a leap for Vauxhall, and I say well done sir.

[96terrano]

I like it. Cool name for a vauxhall too:)

[Midlander]

Well at least there's no EML that lights up at the slightest hint of a fault like the Vectra
It looks nice on the outside, But you're still dragging a shed load of batteries around underneath.
untill they come up with something better than the present battery systems, people will never take electric cars seriously....no matter how flash they look.
If you're out in the sticks and them batteries go flat.... yer Fooked.
At least with a normal engine you can get someone out or go and get a gallon of fuel from somewhere to get you home or to the garage.

[dollywobbler]

The Ampera is different. It has a relatively small petrol engine which acts as a generator. No worries about the batteries running flat! It's the way I've always thought it should be done to be honest. You've got an engine to ensure you can actually do motorway speeds, but around town, it's pure electric car.

[clivvy]

The Ampera is different. It has a relatively small petrol engine which acts as a generator. No worries about the batteries running flat! It's the way I've always thought it should be done to be honest. You've got an engine to ensure you can actually do motorway speeds, but around town, it's pure electric car.

agreed, currently, Hybrid is the way to go, which is why al the major manufacturers are releasing cars like the Vauxhall, and why the NIssan Leaf is a major flop.

[supergnome]

At £34,000 its a tad expensive.

[clivvy]

At £34,000 its a tad expensive.

hmm...that IS a lot of Diesel.....

[Midlander]

hmm...that IS a lot of Diesel.....

....and

you cant get big stuff in em like fridge freezers
you cant get 7 people in em
you cant mend em yourself
you cant see over the roofs of traffic ahead
you cant drive through floods or deep snow / mud
you cant fill the back up with logs n stuff without flapping that the interior will get shit up

Naah...I'll stick wi my T2

[firebobby]

But can you deliver milk in it:augie

[clivvy]

....and

you cant get big stuff in em like fridge freezers
you cant get 7 people in em
you cant mend em yourself
you cant see over the roofs of traffic ahead
you cant drive through floods or deep snow / mud
you cant fill the back up with logs n stuff without flapping that the interior will get shit up

Naah...I'll stick wi my T2

lol:clap

[clivvy]

But can you deliver milk in it:augie

double lol :clap

[96terrano]

....and

you cant get big stuff in em like fridge freezers
you cant get 7 people in em
you cant mend em yourself
you cant see over the roofs of traffic ahead
you cant drive through floods or deep snow / mud
you cant fill the back up with logs n stuff without flapping that the interior will get shit up

Naah...I'll stick wi my T2
....And


They don't have a viscous fan that deliveres a nice provoking ROAR, that scares the little old lady driving the micra in front of you:lol:sly

Aye, I'll stick with the T2 as well:D

[solarman216]

Someone has missed out on the basic facts somewhere, petrol engine to drive a generator, to charge batteries to run an electric motor, that's 4 changes of state by my count, each change incorporates losses, it is a no brain-er, I charge a 24 volt battery bank via two methods, one a modern diesel gen set at 240 volts that then has to go to a charger, the other via a 1975 Lister twin engine driving a bus 24 volt 150 amp alternator direct to the batteries, from flat to full charge the Lister uses more than 2.5 lt LESS fuel than the modern gen set, I rest my case, Rick

[(RIP) PLANK]

I admire people who make things like this and people who buy them, overpriced and badly enginered? maybe! But I remember when a VCR cost £3K and the brave peple who bught them and lost a fortune paved the way for the afordable video technology we have today! :thumbs

[SPARKIEDOO]

there only one thing wrong ......its made by VAUXHALL :( :(

nothing more too say!!!!!!!!!

[dollywobbler]

Someone has missed out on the basic facts somewhere, petrol engine to drive a generator, to charge batteries to run an electric motor, that's 4 changes of state by my count, each change incorporates losses, it is a no brain-er, I charge a 24 volt battery bank via two methods, one a modern diesel gen set at 240 volts that then has to go to a charger, the other via a 1975 Lister twin engine driving a bus 24 volt 150 amp alternator direct to the batteries, from flat to full charge the Lister uses more than 2.5 lt LESS fuel than the modern gen set, I rest my case, Rick

I don't think they have missed the basic facts. They've decided that in the real world, this works. Your example is pure engine power to do one task. A car goes through phases in a journey where one power source works better than another. In theory, with the Ampera (or Chevrolet Volt as it actually is- not a Vauxhall or even an Opel really) can be charged via 240v domestic supply. You set off with the battery fully charged and have a range of about 30 miles. That's very efficient on the ol' petrol!

It's like diesel-electric locos. Yes, it's not the most efficient way to drive a set of wheels, but it works perfectly in that case. Seems much more sensible to me that trying to combine an engine and electric motor (like a Prius) which delivers absolutely sod all efficiency advantage over any other car in most real-world situations.

[clivvy]

plus, to develop and improve this technology, people have to buy it. Engine/Battery combos are a great idea, and its already improved a hell of a lot in recent years, a very good sign indeed.