Vauxhall’s state-of-the-art Ampera-e electric car is due to be unveiled at next week’s Paris Motor Show and is to be appraised in the UK with the possibility of right-hand-drive models being produced in a future generation.

The Ampera-e, which has a claimed pure electrical range that can exceed 250 miles without recharging, is due to be sold by Vauxhall’s sister company, Opel, from 2017.

Taking into account the real world impact of driving style, road and weather conditions, the Astra-sized car can still achieve a range of over 185 miles under average, every day conditions.

Technology includes the clever integration of the 10 battery modules in the underbody and that means that the 4.17 metre-long car can easily carry five people, yet still offer a 381-litre boot capacity.

And when it comes to performance, the Ampera-e has some pretty impressive stats. Zero to 30mph takes just 3.2 seconds, while 50-75mph takes just 4.5 seconds and it features a top speed that is electronically limited to 93mph for the benefit of overall range.

The Ampera-e also has the ability to re-charge its batteries on the move. To do so, the driver just eases off the accelerator in the normal ‘Drive’ mode. The Ampera-e recuperates automatically in over-run and wins back energy from the electric motor, which doubles as a generator.

Vauxhall sees the car as a possible zero emission successor to the original Ampera range extender plug-in hybrid that was launched back in 2010.