Optimally tuning a car with a combustion engine to various driving cycles and application ranges is daily routine at Opel’s Technical Development Center. We also have extensive experience in fuel cell and electric vehicles. But daily routine quickly goes out the window when you’re talking about an electric vehicle that also has a range-extending generator. This moved us into unexplored territory and we have invested a lot of brain power and development work in this sector. To ensure that the Ampera runs optimally across the entire scope of application, intelligent control technology oversees the complex interaction of electric motor, planetary gearbox, combustion engine/generator and battery. We carefully analyzed the possible driving profiles in Europe in order to adjust the required driving modes to them. In that process, four different modes emerged that above all control the operation of the gasoline-powered generator and the response behavior of the accelerator pedal.
First we take two modes as the basis that many Opel drivers will recognize from FlexRide technology: Normal and Sport mode. The Normal mode is the default setting for the Ampera and is expected to be used most of the time to provide maximum efficiency. In contrast, the Sport mode automatically reconfigures the accelerator pedal to provide a quicker response. While Sport mode doesn’t provide a higher power output, it does provide a more sensitive reaction to driver inputs.
When the energy level of the battery drops below its state-of-charge operating window, the Ampera enters extended-range operation, during which the gasoline engine automatically runs to sustain the charge and enable extended-range travel. The battery’s state-of-charge is also sustained by regenerative braking.
The Mountain mode automatically adjusts the system to provide necessary power in hilly environments, when the performance of conventional electric vehicles could be compromised. This mode keeps the Ampera battery at a higher state of charge. This in turn ensures that there is always enough power available, even during long, fast drives through hilly terrain. We also tested this in the Alps under cold temperature conditions. Drivers should select this mode after a full charge or 10 to 15 minutes before entering mountainous terrain to enable full vehicle capability up sustained grades. But no worries: the Mountain mode does not need to be selected for the normal up- and downhill driving we are familiar with here on the Autobahn.
City mode is a bit different, as the Ampera “saves” battery power – and thus completely emission-free driving – for use in restricted city zones. It enables the Ampera to enter the congested urban areas, where only pure electric vehicles are permitted. City mode should be activated during the morning commute on the highway or freeway. This starts up the gasoline generator and maintains the battery’s state of charge. When entering the city limits, Normal or Sport mode should be activated, allowing the Ampera to then use the reserved battery power. As result, the Ampera is able to enter the restricted city zone in the electric vehicle mode.
Thanks Dr Kunstmann, but I’m not sure to fully understand the City mode, is it simply, – when you engage the city mode -, to indicate you want the Ampera to ride in CHARGE SUSTAINING mode until you decide to change and ride in CHARGE DEPLETING (or pure electric for the first 60 kms) mode by selecting the Normal or Sport mode ?
If this is the case, could you give us an idea of gas consumption when the Ampera is in CHARGE SUSTAINING mode ?
I thank you in advance for your attention to my questions.
JC J.
@ Jean-Charles Jacquemin: Your city mode description is fundamentally correct. The fuel consumption data have not been validated yet.
Maybe they should have dubbed it “pre-city” mode?
As I understand it, doesn’t it maintain battery SOC at/near it’s upper charge limit (using ICE in CS) during the commute, so that essentially the entire charge will be available (in normal or sport modes)once the inner-city detination is reached? (when “city” mode is actually turned OFF and true charge depletion commences).
Has Opel altered any of the Ampera’s engine calibration with respect to autobahn operation? Is the Ampera getting significantly better than 5.88 liters/100km? (roughly what the Chevy Volt is getting for highway economy)
Thanks
WOT
Very informative note, Dr Kunstmann.
“City” mode is a great point to ensure stealth driving where we want. As WOT, I think another name for this mode could have been chosen. City may be a bit confusing, some user will probably engage city mode when entering the city area.
Did you have to change Mountain mode’s battery threshold from Volt’s, considering european roads are different to US roads?
I´m a little bit confused about the complexity of your description. I wonder that you engage city-mode and mountain-mode etc.. I would rather look at optimal points of efficiency and start loading the accus when appropriate or needed and would charge with the most efficient cycle available. For that I would have a calculated target right now and could announce that as cost of propulsion for a kWh as I asked for in another comment earlier.
Regards Rainer
Thanks to the moderator to confirm my interpretation.
I salute WopOnTour, as we met on gm-volt.com.
I agree that “city mode” should be called by another name in oder to avoid confusion. Note that the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid has a “Pure” mode when it come to drive only on the electric drive.
See : https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Media/Preview.aspx?mediaid=36387
Best regards,
JC Jacquemin
is it also possible to drive with a caravan behind this CAR ?
@ WopOnTour: Basically, your description of the city mode is right. We’re in the process of coming up with a new name for this mode.
The fuel consumption data have not been validated yet.
@ Herto: We’re in the process of coming up with a new name for this mode.
There is always enough power available for normal driving in the mountains, also without the mountain mode. The battery acts as an energy buffer. Mountain mode ensures that there is enough power available even under extreme conditions, such as for long, fast inclines like an Autobahn with an uninterrupted ascent over 800 to 1,000 meters. Even under these conditions, which are rarely found anywhere on earth, the mountain mode prevents complete battery discharge.
@ gerard: Unfortunately we will not offer the Ampera with a trailer hitch.
@ Rainer: The Ampera is designed and intended to be an Electric Vehicle with maximum efficiency at any time, while eliminating the constraints of limited EV range and thus limited usability to the customer. The smart and complex controls of the vehicle will always determine the most efficient configuration of the propulsion system. You as the driver do not need to worry about this. Being an Electric Vehicle, there is no way to recharge the battery other than to plug the vehicle’s plug into a socket.
The drive modes “Normal” and “Sport” are designed to accommodate your personal preferences with respect to throttle (gas pedal) response. One of the two is what you will be selecting as the driver most of the time, according to your preference. The modes “City / Hold Charge” and “Mountain” are selected only on very rare occasions: “City / Hold Charge” only when you live next to a city that bans vehicles with emissions from inner city driving – then you can hold the charge until you reach the city limit. And “Mountain” mode only when you approach a long high speed uphill climb (major mountain pass in the Alps).
@Dr. Christian Kunstmann
You wrote “@ gerard: Unfortunately we will not offer the Ampera with a trailer hitch.”
I think this may be a problem because in the general information about the Ampera it is writtent that the Ampera may be the unique vehicle of the household. I agree it may be in some cases but for families when you have to move your garbage to recycling park, (the main use of my trailer even if I have an Astra break) or go on vacation with children or young adults who need bikes, windsurfs, and you want to take your (e)scooter too.. I guess renting will necessary in this last case.
May we hope that something to carry the bikes will be available ?
Thanks for your attention.
Best regards,
JC Jacquemin
I think it will be a major drawback for the Ampera in the Nordic countries if it’s not possible to supply the car with a trailer hitch. This car is supposed to be meant for “family use”. Here that includes the possibility to use the car now and then during the year with some sort of small trailer, either to pull a boat, to deliver some garbage or just drive home some furniture from the shop. In my case the Ampera was the preferred model for my new car – until this message popped up. If this is true I probably will go for some other hybrid in 2012 like Peugeot 508 diesel hybrid or Volvo V60. In that case a 24 years long experience with Opel ends. Maybe you should consider this decision one more time?
@ Jonny Edvardsen: An electric vehicle like the Ampera is not suitable as a towing vehicle. A car like this needs to be extremely efficient as it cannot store much energy in the batteries. Trailers (even bicycles mounted on the rear) would substantially diminish the range.
Hi,
how much carge space is available in this car? Will there be enough space for 1 child in a child car seat and a baby stroller with dimensions LxHxW = 105x35x70? Does the car come with isofix?