It looks and sounds awesome. And yes you only live once 
Considering a Change of EV
The Vauxhall Ampera is a good car... no, IMO it is a great car in so many ways... but we have had ours over 2 years now and for some reason I have not gelled with it. Couple that with the fact that we gave up a Land Rover Freelander to get it and perhaps it is not too surprising that I see the Mitsubishi Outlander and I want one!
So, I am seriously considering a change... selling the Ampera and buying an Outlander.
The word "mad" comes to mind but that is OK... I have had that said about me many times. I don't mind. I see that life if for living and we all make our own choices and as long as we are happy with the choices we make then who is to say we are wrong
So, we are hoping to get to see the dealer on Thursday and perhaps set up an all-day test drive.
Anyone want a 2012 Ampera, 22k miles... never raced or rallied
So, I am seriously considering a change... selling the Ampera and buying an Outlander.
The word "mad" comes to mind but that is OK... I have had that said about me many times. I don't mind. I see that life if for living and we all make our own choices and as long as we are happy with the choices we make then who is to say we are wrong
So, we are hoping to get to see the dealer on Thursday and perhaps set up an all-day test drive.
Anyone want a 2012 Ampera, 22k miles... never raced or rallied
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With rapid charging on a long journey (we all have to pee) you could actually get more electric range.
My thoughts exactly, as a caravanner, but recent "Tow Car of the Year" tests showed that the Outlander struggled to restart on a 1:6 gradient with an 800kg trailer attached, which is a disappointment to those of us who pull 1200 - 1500kgs.
Hence my opting to retain my Passat and use a Leaf for most day-to-day motoring...best of both worlds for my needs
Thanks for all the comments.
It would be different for sure. The Ampera does drive on all electric except when being really pushed. When it is out of battery it isn't really. It just means the battery has hit the minimum allowed. The petrol then kicks in and out to maintain that minimum battery level. It is very clever. MOUNTAIN mode simply raises the minimum battery level to 40% and then the petrol kicks in and out to maintain 40%. No different to when "empty".
From what you have said it sounds like the Outlander is more like the Prius where it uses battery at low speed and a combination at higher speeds. Does that sound right?
I think the CHAdeMO for me would mean I do much more EV miles. On long trips right now I never charge. 16A charging on a long trip just isn't viable so I don't. I would not use the Outlander like a BEV... hopping from one rapid to the next... but everyone has to stop and so when I do if I stop where there is a rapid it then I will charge. I could certainly see myself charging at least once or twice on most long trips and that is once or twice more than I would do in the Ampera.
The lower petrol MPG figure would to some degree be compensated by the additional charging. I think it would be difficult to determine which is better overall as that would depend on individual use, how often you stop to charge etc. But for us I am pretty certain from gut-feel that on most trips overall I whould use less petrol in the Outlander.
I would miss the performance of the Ampera for sure but I have a Leaf which for me is the nicer car to drive so I'll get my EV "away from the lights" fun with that
We won't be towing as our caravan is 1800kg but it does give us an option to downsize if we want. Did the "Tow Car of the Year" test use a diesel Outlander or the PHEV because the I would expect the torque of the electric motor to perform much better on hills than the straight diesel. It will be good to see a two test of the PHEV Outlander.
Good stuff
It would be different for sure. The Ampera does drive on all electric except when being really pushed. When it is out of battery it isn't really. It just means the battery has hit the minimum allowed. The petrol then kicks in and out to maintain that minimum battery level. It is very clever. MOUNTAIN mode simply raises the minimum battery level to 40% and then the petrol kicks in and out to maintain 40%. No different to when "empty".
From what you have said it sounds like the Outlander is more like the Prius where it uses battery at low speed and a combination at higher speeds. Does that sound right?
I think the CHAdeMO for me would mean I do much more EV miles. On long trips right now I never charge. 16A charging on a long trip just isn't viable so I don't. I would not use the Outlander like a BEV... hopping from one rapid to the next... but everyone has to stop and so when I do if I stop where there is a rapid it then I will charge. I could certainly see myself charging at least once or twice on most long trips and that is once or twice more than I would do in the Ampera.
The lower petrol MPG figure would to some degree be compensated by the additional charging. I think it would be difficult to determine which is better overall as that would depend on individual use, how often you stop to charge etc. But for us I am pretty certain from gut-feel that on most trips overall I whould use less petrol in the Outlander.
I would miss the performance of the Ampera for sure but I have a Leaf which for me is the nicer car to drive so I'll get my EV "away from the lights" fun with that
We won't be towing as our caravan is 1800kg but it does give us an option to downsize if we want. Did the "Tow Car of the Year" test use a diesel Outlander or the PHEV because the I would expect the torque of the electric motor to perform much better on hills than the straight diesel. It will be good to see a two test of the PHEV Outlander.
Good stuff
Well I have always believed the blurb from Vauxhall/Chevrolet on this and that is what they say. However, it is open to interpretation and your experience suggested that I might have misinterpreted... so I have just gone out and done a test.
You are right... I could not get the ICE to kick in ant any speed (aaahm! Don't ask
). So I have to defer to you on this... the Ampera when it has battery power is only an EV in Normal and Sport modes.However, I did try some other tests... if I went into Hold mode and let the ICE start then things are more as I describe... that is to say that the ICE provides the power but if you push it then it takes power from both the ICE and battery but whether the 3rd clutch is engaged and the mechanical power is being used I do not know.
So not a complete answer but it does confirm that when the battery is above the zero it is an EV only car.
Fair enough... I try to avoid 1 in 6 hills when towing anyway
@Flaninacupboard It isn't a plug in... it cost £45k+ vs £28k for the Outlander ! Nuff said.
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