F&I Management & Training

Vauxhall will launch an Astra-based version of parent company General Motors' Volt electric car. In the United States, the car is known as the Chevrolet Volt and has been exhibited at a number of motor shows. GM says the plug-in Volt will make history when it goes on sale in 2010 as the world's first electric vehicle with a long range. It will be capable of travelling 50 miles on electric power alone but will have an extended range of 400 miles thanks to a 1.4 litre engine. This will run at an optimum constant speed and will only charge the batteries when they are near to empty, thus allowing the cars to keep running to around the 400-mile mark between recharging or filling up. GM estimates that the Volt could save the average motorist 500 gallons of fuel a year and emit 4.4 tons less CO2. Initially expected to cost around £20,000 - batteries costing about £6,000 are expected to be included in the price. In the UK a Vauxhall version could be built at the company's Ellesmere Port plant on the same body platform and chassis as the next generation Astra, which is due in spring 2010. The Astra Volt will have similar performance as a current petrol or diesel car, with a 0-60 mph time of nine seconds and a top speed of 100 mpg, but will be considerably 'greener'.

DATED: 08.09.08

FEED: AW