Fulfilling highest standards in safety is an integral part of the Vauxhall Ampera concept. Smart passenger protection is matched by the attention given to ensuring the batteries are fully secure.
Built to be strong
The Ampera's body structure mixes advanced steels to ensure outstanding impact resistance and stiffness. In fact, about 80 per cent of the Vauxhall Ampera's skeleton is constructed of high-strength, advanced high-strength or ultra high-strength steels designed to provide superior protection in a crash.
The solid structure also means the chassis components can be fine-tuned for agility and high active safety which, in turn, are supported by an electronic stability programme and traction control.
Smart safety features
The Ampera is fully equipped with a comprehensive range of restraint and protection features. The eight airbags include frontal and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, seat-mounted side airbags and curtain airbags that cover both seat rows for side-impact protection.
The front seatbelts have dual tensioning and there's a seat belt reminder system for all seats. The patented Vauxhall Pedal Release System guards against lower leg injuries and, for the smallest passengers, the ISOFIX system makes attaching child seats easy and safe. The front passenger airbag can be deactivated when you’re using a front seat baby carrier.
Full battery protection
The battery compartment is formed in a T-section, centrally mounted inside the crash protection structure. It's housed in a dust-proof, watertight compartment made of high-strength steels, meaning that in the unlikely event of crash-impact reaching it, it will be fully protected.
The battery is as unlikely to catch fire as the battery in your mobile phone. But for the best safety and performance, the internal operating temperature is electronically monitored with more than 500 tests running ten times per second. Most of these checks look at battery safety and guard against short circuits or damage. The remaining ones ensure the battery is liquid cooled or warmed, meaning that, even in extreme conditions, it functions at peak efficiency.
Breaking the silence
Pressing the button on the end of the headlight indicator activates an immediately recognisable chirping warning tone at speeds below 30mph. This feature has been developed with the American Association for the Blind to provide extra warning for pedestrians because the Ampera drives so silently.
Images shown are for illustrative purposes only, and may show optional equipment.
Safety first
