Vauxhall will show a Zafira concept at the
Geneva Motor Show next week. The production-ready Ampera, updated Antara and Corsa, along with the new Astra ecoFLEX, will also be on display.
Making its debut at the show is the Zafira Tourer Concept, which previews the company's next people carrier. Vauxhall describes the concept as combining 'lounge-on-wheels luxury' with a high degree of flexibility. More pictures will be released on Friday 25 February with the company promising sleek, flowing lines and a premium feel.
The production-ready Ampera will be on display before it goes on sale early next year. The Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) will cost £28,995 after the Government's grant for plug-in vehicles.
Vauxhall has revealed more details of the Ampera's drive system. To make the most of the battery and on-board generator the driver can choose between four options using the 'Drive Mode' button on the dashboard. The default, Normal mode, uses the batteries until a minimum charge level is reached. Beyond that point the engine generator is used to power the electric motors. Sport mode gives improved accelerator response while Mountain mode runs the generator before the battery expires for improved performance up long inclines. Finally, Hold mode runs the range extender from start-up to preserve the charge in the battery for use in urban or restricted-emissions zones.
The updated
Antara and
Corsa will make their first motor show appearances in Geneva. Both models feature updated styling and chassis. The Corsa is on sale now while the Antara reaches UK showrooms in April.
At Geneva the company will showcase its latest start-stop technology too. The new Astra 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX is the newest model to receive the system and boasts fuel economy of 72.4mpg with 104g/km CO
2 emissions.
More ecoFLEX models, featuring start-stop are due later this year with Insignia and Meriva versions promised before the end of 2011. By 2012 Vauxhall promises the system will be fitted to its whole car range.
Read our
First Drive of the new-look Vauxhall Corsa.
Read our
First Drive of the new-look Vauxhall Antara.
John Lambert - 23 Feb 2011