Opel Ampera-e Gen 1

Overview

The 2021 Opel Ampera-e Gen 1 was Europe's version of the plucky Chevrolet Bolt EV, a practical all-electric hatchback that packed a surprising punch. Though discontinued in 2021 and never officially sold stateside under the Opel badge, it was actually built in the USA! This zippy five-door offered a compelling package of decent range and everyday usability for its era. As it wasn't offered new in the US, official MSRP isn't available, and used US market prices are not applicable for the Opel-badged version. It aimed to make EV ownership accessible and fun.

What's New for 2021?

For the 2021 model year, the Opel Ampera-e Gen 1 was essentially a carryover model, marking the final year of its production run which concluded in 2021. No major facelifts or tech overhauls were rolled out for this specific Opel variant in its last hurrah. Think of it as the swan song for this European-market EV with American roots. While its Chevy Bolt EV cousin saw some updates around this period, the Ampera-e bowed out gracefully, solidifying its place as a significant early entry in the more affordable EV segment in Europe.

Design & Exterior

Rocking a familiar compact hatchback silhouette, the Ampera-e Gen 1 looks purposeful and modern, if not outright sporty. It's a tall-ish hatch designed for practicality, measuring 163.9 inches long, 69.5 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 62.8 inches high. Its upright stance maximizes interior space, a clever trick shared with its American twin. The design is clean, with distinctive (for Europe) Opel cues, but anyone familiar with the Chevy Bolt EV will see the strong family resemblance. It's a friendly face in the EV world, built for the urban jungle and beyond.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside the Ampera-e Gen 1, you'll find a surprisingly airy and functional cabin for five. While not dripping in luxury, materials are durable and well-suited for daily driving. The dashboard is dominated by a user-friendly infotainment system, likely a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mirroring its Chevy counterpart. Passenger space is good for a compact. Cargo-wise, you get a practical 13.5 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a generous 45 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. No frunk on this model, though!

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its sensible looks fool you; the Ampera-e Gen 1 is quite nippy! With its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) sending 150 kW (around 201 hp) and a healthy 266 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels, it scoots from 0-60 mph in a brisk 7 seconds. Top speed is a sensible 92 mph. The driving experience is classic EV: instant torque for city sprints, a quiet ride, and the option for strong regenerative braking, making one-pedal driving a breeze. It’s an agile and easy-to-handle EV, perfect for darting through traffic.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Ampera-e Gen 1 is powered by a 57 kWh (usable capacity) battery pack, delivering a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of 233 miles – pretty solid for its class! It boasts an efficiency of around 4.09 mi/kWh. For AC charging, the standard 7.2 kW on-board charger can top up the battery overnight. When you need a quicker boost, it supports DC fast charging at up to 50 kW. While the Ampera-e used a CCS Type 2 port for Europe, its US twin, the Chevy Bolt EV, uses the CCS Type 1 connector.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety-wise, the Opel Ampera-e Gen 1 earned a respectable 4-star rating from Euro NCAP. While specific NHTSA ratings for the Opel badge aren't available as it wasn't sold in the US, its structurally similar Chevrolet Bolt EV counterpart generally performed well in US tests. Expect a suite of available driver-assistance features common for its time, likely including forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and rear parking sensors, though some of these might have been optional depending on the specific European market trim.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Since the Opel Ampera-e Gen 1 wasn't sold in the US, direct American warranty info isn't applicable. However, had it been offered, its coverage would likely have mirrored its US-built twin, the Chevrolet Bolt EV. This typically included a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a robust 8-year/100,000-mile warranty covering the battery and electric drive components. Like all EVs, maintenance is generally lower than gas cars, with no oil changes and fewer moving parts to worry about, promising a reliable ownership experience.