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In its debut appearance at the Monte Carlo Rally, the Chevrolet Volt's European twin, the Opel Ampera, picked up its first win in the electric and alternative propulsion category. From the seven Ampera models that competed in the rally, four finished in the top 10. The French duo Bernard Darniche and Joseph Lambert finished first, while the Ampera teams with Charlotte Berton and Olivier Sussot ranked third, Jean-Claude Andruet and Patrick Lienne came in 7th and Hanns Werner Wirth and Daniel Riesen finished 8th.
"The Ampera’s success in this versatility contest under very challenging conditions proves its impressive balance between durability and fuel efficiency," commented Opel’s Director E-mobility, Enno Fuchs. "This underscores our leadership role in the field of alternative propulsion."
Some 130 competitors from about 30 manufacturers took part in the Monte Carlo Rally for electric and alternative propulsion vehicles including the Renault Fluence Z.E., a Tesla Roadster sports car, a Mitsubishi I-MiEV and a Peugeot Ion.
The rally started in the three towns of Annecy-le-Vieux, Clermont Ferrand and Lugano, with the teams driving 550 kilometers (342 miles) to Monaco. The second day, they had to complete a distance of 272 kilometers (169 miles) from Monaco and the original route of the Monte Carlo Rally through the French Maritime Alps.
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