Opel Ampera To Participate In 2012 Rally Monte Carlo
Entering the Monte Carlo Rally for Alternative Energy Vehicles, the six Amperas will race against 150 other green cars in a series of stages starting March 22 from Annecy-le-Vieux, to Clermont-Ferrand, Luganu, and finally finishing three days later at Monaco.
Regulations for this competition dictates that a car must emit less than 115g/km of CO2 in order to participate. While not as exciting as the WRC event, the Alternative Energy competition can be just as challenging to tackle. The goal is to cover the race distance, maintain a constant speed, all while using as little energy as possible.
The Tesla Roadster emerged victorious at the Monte Carlo rally twice in a row. Intent on giving Tesla a run for its money, the Opel Ampera features an electric motor that drives the wheels and a conventional gasoline engine that kicks in to generate electricity once the battery depletes. The Ampera’s system is prepared to deliver 150 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of instant torque, good for a 0-62 mph time of approximately 9 seconds and a top speed of 100 mph.
More by Danny Choy
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