Eco-Friendly Vauxhalls Scoop Hat-Trick At Next Green Car Awards

LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – Aug 3, 2011: Vauxhall has been honoured with an impressive treble at the Next Green Car Awards 2011 with the Ampera winning both the overall gold award and the next generation award, whilst Corsa won the prestigious supermini accolade.

Both Vauxhall models were selected from shortlists of 27 of the UK’s greenest new cars, all chosen for their environmental Next Green Car green car rating, level of innovation, value, drive experience and design.

“The 2011 winners reflect the latest technologies being used by manufacturers to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions,” said Dr Ben Lane, Managing Editor of Next Green Car. “Indeed, the Vauxhall Ampera wins our Gold Award 2011 as it is this year’s game changer. An electric car with no range anxiety, ultra-low emissions, state-of-the-art design and it’s a joy to drive.”

The Next Green Car judges also heaped praise on Vauxhall’s Corsa 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX, “A value green car, the new Corsa is great to drive, has improved styling, and delivers fantastic fuel economy without cutting back on comfort or safety features.”

“Vauxhall is very pleased to win three accolades in the Next Green Car Awards, including a double for Ampera,” said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director. “The Ampera has been received with much acclaim as the only electric vehicle able to run for up to 50 miles on its battery yet extend its range without stopping to over 310 miles, still on electric power. With its fresh new look and even cleaner engines, the Corsa is as popular as ever, the 94g/km ecoFLEX model honoured with the supermini award is zero-rated for car tax and is congestion charge exempt.”

Ampera is Europe’s first extended-range electric vehicle and is due in UK showrooms in early 2012.