Opel-Vauxhall Ampera To Pace Last Three Races Of ITU World Triathlon

The Opel/Vauxhall Ampera is the official pace car at the three final European legs of the 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series — one of the world’s largest triathlon competitions. The three final events, for which Opel/Vauxhall is also the official auto supplier and one of the key sponsors, take place in Hamburg (July 20-21), Stockholm (August 24-25), and London (September 11-15) — which serves as the Grand Finale of the series.
The Ampera — Europe’s best-selling electric car in 2012 — will lead the way emission-free and silently for the faction of elite triathletes at all three events, while also serving as the environmentally friendly and comfortable shuttle service vehicle for dignitaries and VIPs.
“Triathlon is a rapidly-growing Olympic discipline among sports fans. It requires serious ambition, absolute perfection and enormous versatility – values that our Ampera also ideally represents,” said Opel CEO and dedicated marathon runner Karl-Thomas Neumann. “So we are delighted to be the only automaker to exclusively support the ITU World Triathlon Series in Europe with our emission-free electric vehicle.”
When running on a fully-charged battery, the Ampera — along with its Bow Tie-wielding cosign, the Chevrolet Volt — has a purely-electric range of between 40 and 80 km (25 and 50 miles). Once the battery charge has been depleted, an innovative range-extender is active, and enables a driving range of up to 500 km (over 300 miles) without necessitating stopping for a filling station. The hatchback-disguised-sedan can fit four occupants and their luggage (or sporting equipment, in the case of the ITU World Triathlon Series).
“The Opel/Vauxhall Ampera delivers power and endurance in a sustainable format, which reflect triathlon’s core components and key values for the International Triathlon Union”, said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “We are delighted to partner with a company that shares our same message.”
The GM Authority Take
The concept of a clean-emissions car such as the Ampera/Volt pacing a sporting event such as the ITU World Triathlon Series is very fitting, given that the vehicles doing such duty should (preferably) be have as clean (or free of) emissions as possible. And in that regard, the Ampera fits like a glove running shoe, swimming cap, or well-fitted road bike.