Local Vauxhall retailer, York Ward & Rowlatt in Wellingborough, has opened its order books and announced full specs and pricing for the revolutionary Ampera, a plug-in Extended-Range Electric vehicle.

The retailer on St John Street is one of only 23 specialist dealers in the Vauxhall network to stock the Ampera and offers the support of Vauxhall HQ-based customer liaison for every owner.

The innovative car from Vauxhall is equipped with a cutting-edge, 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, which enables the car to travel 25 to 50 miles on battery power alone. The battery can be fully recharged in approximately 6 hours, using a domestic 240-volt/10amp outlet.

Offered in three trim levels, with the entry model available to order from May, the first Ampera will arrive in the showroom on May 1, 2012.

Starting at £29,995 (inclusive of the £5,000 government plug-in car grant) even the basic Ampera comes with a raft of standard features, such as DAB radio, 7-inch touch-screen control monitor, cruise control and alloy wheels.

Adding a standard leather interior, with heated front seats and front/rear parking cameras with a rear-view camera, the Positiv model sits in the middle of the Ampera range at £32,250 (inclusive of the £5,000 government plug-in car grant). But topping the line-up will be the Electron, which comes as standard with a state-of-the-art infotainment unit comprising:

· Colour touch screen
· Satellite navigation system
· Bespoke Bose Energy Efficient Series sound system
· DVD video player
· 30GB hard-disc drive storage
· Voice-controlled navigation, telephone and music systems

The Electron costs £33,995 (inclusive of the £5,000 government plug-in car grant) and, like the Positiv, can be ordered from York Ward & Rowlatt immediately.

But where all Amperas stand out from the crowd is the level of customer service and support offered to owners. Backed by Vauxhall’s unique Lifetime Warranty*and an 8 year 100,000 mile battery warranty, Ampera owners in Northamptonshire will have the convenience of having York Ward & Rowlatt as their specialist dealer within a one-hour drive from their home.

The retailer will give owners the benefit of two Ampera specialists, in both sales and aftersales, who will provide expert advice and attention on all aspects of the car.

But the icing on the cake is a service known as ‘MyAmpera’, which offers owners the telephone number and email address of their own personal Ampera agent, based at Vauxhall’s head office.

“We’re breaking completely fresh ground with the Ampera,” said Nick Hughes, General Manager at York Ward & Rowlatt.

“The technology is obviously unique in a production car, but it’s the level of personalised customer support we’re offering that will be just as important to owners. MyAmpera reinforces this personalisation and will help us engage with our new owners throughout their time with the car.”

For further information, please visit York Ward & Rowlatt at St John Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 4LG. Alternatively, call 0844 701 9134 or go online to www.yorkwardandrowlatt.co.uk.