The sharing between Opel and Saturn may be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean that there isn't an opportunity for the Zafira MPV to land on our shores in the form of a small Chevrolet. We're not exactly sure what platform the Zafira will ride upon, or what will power it, but our guess would be GM's global Delta architecture underpinning the Chevy Cruze and a similar engine lineup including the new 150-horsepower 16-valve, 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

It's likely the Zafira will appear in European dealerships in 2011 and compete directly with the VW Touran, Renault Scenic and the Citroen C4 Picasso. [via motorward]

We've already provided you with full details and driving video of the Chevy Volt/Holden Volt-based 2011 Opel Ampera, but what we couldn't show you before is the eco-sexy gloss black interior, leading us to believe that beauty really isn't only skin deep.

Update: GM not only let the cat out of the bag with the 2011 Opel Ampera, but they also took the time to debut the 2011 Vauxhall Ampera. They get a Jalopnistar for their killer Photoshop badge swap.

GM Press Release:

The revolutionary Opel Ampera celebrated its world premiere at the 79th Geneva Motor Show. General Motors Europe president, Carl-Peter Forster, unveiled the extended-range electric vehicle and announced plans to put the car into production in late 2011.

The Opel Ampera will also be offered with right-hand drive in the United Kingdom by Opel's sister-brand, Vauxhall.

"The Opel Ampera further demonstrates GM's leadership in the electrification of the automobile," said Carl-Peter Forster. "Its ground-breaking Voltec electric propulsion system is the kind of game-changing technology the automotive industry needs to respond to energy and environmental challenges."

The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera is influenced by Opel's award-winning design language of sculptural artistry meets German precision, incorporating several styling cues from the innovative Flextreme and GTC Concept show cars

"There could not be a more fitting way to celebrate Opel's 110 years of innovation in the car industry than by revealing the Opel Ampera," said Alain Visser, GME Vice President Opel.

The Opel Ampera's wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to 60 km (MVEG), it runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits zero CO2. When the battery's energy is depleted, electricity from an engine-generator extends the Ampera's range to more than 500 km.

The Opel Ampera can be plugged into any household 230v outlet for charging. GM Europe is analyzing the requirements of a recharging infrastructure for plug-in electric cars with energy companies, including Iberdrola of Spain.

Opel Ampera Gets Power and Refinement from Voltec Propulsion System

The revolutionary Opel Ampera will be the first emission-free, electrically driven automobile in Europe suitable for everyday driving. With its Voltec electric propulsion system providing lively acceleration and high levels of refinement, the five-door Opel Ampera seats four passengers in comfort, offers a useful trunk for their luggage, and features an extended range of more than 500 kilometers.

"Driving electrically is not only about ecology," said global vehicle line executive and chief engineer, Frank Weber. "Driving electrically is also great fun. Instantaneous, silent torque of 370 Newton meters under your right foot feels like flying!"

Electricity drives the Opel Ampera's wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 60 km (MVEG), power is supplied by the electricity stored in the cutting-edge, 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery.

While driving on electricity delivered by the battery, the Opel Ampera emits zero CO2. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-fueled engine-generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range to 500 kilometers, until the battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household 230v outlet.

Opel Ampera gives driver confidence and peace of mind

Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Opel Ampera eliminates "range anxiety," giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

"An advanced lithium-ion battery system is the key to getting the Opel Ampera into the hands of consumers", said Hans Demant, GME's vice president of engineering. "The engineers at our research and development center in Mainz-Kastel, Germany are testing the battery around the clock, 365 days a year to ensure that it meets the expectations of our customers."

The Opel Ampera's battery pack will be manufactured by GM at the first lithium-ion production facility to be operated by a major automaker in the United States. More than 220 lithium-ion cells in the T-shaped pack provide ample power. The nearly silent electric drive unit delivers 370 Nm of instant torque, the equivalent of 150 horsepower, zero to 100 km/h acceleration in around nine seconds, and a top speed of 161 km/h.

The Opel Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 km daily.

Opel estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in the Opel Ampera will cost about one-fifth compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle, at current fuel prices.

Technical Specifications

* Vehicle type: 5-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback
* Category: Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV)
* Chassis: independent McPherson struts front, compound crank twist axle rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximize energy capture, electric power-assist steering
* Seating capacity: four
* Performance
o Top speed: 161 km/h
o EV range: 60 km (MVEG cycle)
o Total range: >500 km
* Dimensions
o Wheelbase: 2685 mm
o Length: 4404 mm
o Width: 1798 mm
o Height: 1430 mm
o Cargo volume: 301 l
* Battery system
o Type: lithium-ion
o Energy: 16 kWh
* Electric drive unit
o Power: 150 hp (111 kW)
o Torque: 370 Nm
* Exterior
o Tire and wheel size: specially developed low rolling-resistance tires on 17-inch forged aluminum wheels

[via GM]

This is the second version of the Volt we've seen in a week, with the 2010 Holden Volt throwing a shrimp on the eco-friendly barbie last Thursday. While we suspect that Holden may have had one tinnie too many, the Ampera gains an attractively angular front fascia to set it apart from its new world relatives.

The 2010 Opel Ampera's electric-only range will be identical to the Volt's 40 miles, but let's put it in kilometers for all our cheerfully backwards European friends: 60 Km.

The official press release follows:

The Opel Ampera: Star of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

Electrically propelled vehicle with more than 500 kilometers autonomy

The revolutionary Opel Ampera, which will premiere March 5 at the Geneva Motor Show, will be the first emission-free, electrically propelled automobile in Europe suitable for everyday driving. For journeys up to 60 km, the five-door, four-seat hatchback runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits zero CO2. When the battery's energy is depleted, electricity from an on-board engine-generator extends the Ampera's range to more than 500 km.

[source: GM]

We managed to get you some revealing European patent filing images earlier this week, but the always sly guys at World Car Fans did one better and got images of the actual Opel Ampera out in the open during a photo shoot for its European reveal next month. Follow the link below to see the images of the European Chevy Volt.

[via world car fans]

GM had hoped to keep the little plug-in electric under wraps until its official debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show, but thanks to these European patent images we can show you that the Opel Ampera is nothing more than a rebadged Chevy Volt. The Ampera does receive new front and rear fascias and a new set of alloys all inspired by the 2007 Opel Flextreme Concept, but that's about it as far as differentiation.

The Opel Ampera is on track to launch in Europe roughly one year after the Volt goes on sale in the U.S. in late 2010. There will likely be a Vauxhall variant as well, but changes for that model will only include a badge swap and nothing more. The European Opel Ampera will carry the same Voltec Electric Propulsion System as the Chevy Volt and will provide 40 miles of driving when powered by its 230v charged lithium-ion batteries or, for longer drives, it will continue use juice generated by the small internal combustion engine.

[via carscoop]

The Opel Ampera, as teased in the photo above, is an electric car carrying the same Voltec (formerly E-Flex) technology found on the Chevy Volt. This means the new vehicle will be capable of traveling approximately 60 km (40 miles) on purely electric power stored in its batteries before switching over to electricity provided by a small internal combustion engine.

Opel hasn't announced whether or not the five-door, four-seat electric vehicle will share the same Delta II platform as the Chevy Volt, though it is probably safe to assume it will given the teaser image looks almost exactly like the 2011 Volt and our KORSdesign speculative illustration we showed you last September. More details as they become available.

Opel To Reveal Ampera Electric Car At Geneva Motor Show

Rüsselsheim. Opel has announced Ampera as the name of its revolutionary extended-range electric car. The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera will be revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5-15).

“With the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometers of non-stop electric driving,” said Alain Visser, GM Europe Chief Marketing Officer.

GM’s ground-breaking electric propulsion technology, called Voltec, operates differently from other advanced propulsion systems. For short trips up to 60 km, the Ampera will run only on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard 230v outlet. For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by a small internal combustion engine.

The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 km daily.

Additional information on the Opel Ampera will be released March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show.

[Source: GM]