FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Budget Opel EV

Opel/Vauxhall joins a number of car-makers exhibiting radical Electric Vehicle concepts at Frankfurt motor show with an as-yet un-named two-seater claimed to have "production potential" and the ability to "revolutionise urban transport."

With its two seats arrayed tandem style and a potential cruising range that could make "even the odd motorway trip feasible," the concept was inspired by the Ampera, the all-electric General Motors car that be sold under various names on various markets (including Australia where it will go on sale in 2012 as the Holden Volt).

Details of the Frankfurt concept car are a little light-on at present, but performance claims include a top speed of 120km/h and a range of about 100km.

The Opel/Vauxhall press statement says weight is around one third of a regular small car - possibly 400kg, give or take - opening a potential for brisk performance. "Agile and fun to drive" are descriptive terms used in the limited information supplied so far.

Presumably the vehicle's primary and secondary safety are well covered too.

Significantly, it is claimed the Opel/Vauxhall EV won't come with the high price normally expected of a credibility-stretching design. The press release says the car would be suitable for "younger drivers and those on a tight budget."

The vehicle's creators also talk about a special version of the vehicle for learner drivers, stating that "Sixteen year-olds could even begin driving in a version limited to a maximum speed of 45 km/h."

Watch this space for more details following the car's unveiling in Frankfurt but in the meantime, would you consider a vehicle such as this if the price was as low as Holden Barina? Leave your comment below.

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