Second Gen 2016 Chevy Volt
#18
Lexus Champion
an EV range of at least 60 miles
a co-worker drives his Leaf to work (about 30 miles OW) and uses their chargers for free...only charges at home on weekends . He previously had a truck he commuted with and was spending a TON on gas.
#19
GM Talks Camouflage on the New 2016 Chevy Volt 2.0
Like all business, GM wants to control the information it gives to the public about its future products.
So, while it wants you to know that the second generation Chevrolet Volt will debut at the 2015 Detroit motor show, at the same time, it doesn't want anyone knowing what it will look like – not just yet, which is where the art of camouflage comes into play.
Prototypes are a doubled edged sword for automakers; on one hand, you have designers who want everything hidden and on the other hand, you have engineers who want to evaluate the cars with as little interference as possible.
"If it were up to me it would be a shoebox driving down the road," said Lionel Perkins, GM camouflage engineer. "The design team wants us to cover more of the vehicle and the engineering team needs to have enough of the vehicle’s weight and aero exposed so that the tests in the development process are consistent with the product that will come to market."
GM shared some of the tricks that it uses on its testers:
Black and white patterns – The color scheme creates a shadow that hides vehicle design elements.
3D – Layered camouflage throws off onlookers, but has to be applied without interrupting airflow around the car.
Swirls – In the old days of car camouflage, the design relied mainly on a grid pattern, but over the years engineers discovered that grids are difficult to realign if a piece is removed to make a change to the car. Swirl patterns better hide such developments.
Bubble wrap – Camouflage can be made from many different materials including plastics, vinyl and foam. Good, old bubble wrap is a lightweight, easily attachable three-dimensional material used to confuse prying eyes.
One other thing about GM's prototypes, which also holds true for most other carmakers, as you can see from our scoop shots, is that, the camouflage package is not only unique for each car, but it's also constantly updated and revised.
“Each car is unique. We are like a dress maker, and the car is our model,” said Perkins. “No two models are the same. We need to make the right dress that fits the body we are dealing with."
So, while it wants you to know that the second generation Chevrolet Volt will debut at the 2015 Detroit motor show, at the same time, it doesn't want anyone knowing what it will look like – not just yet, which is where the art of camouflage comes into play.
Prototypes are a doubled edged sword for automakers; on one hand, you have designers who want everything hidden and on the other hand, you have engineers who want to evaluate the cars with as little interference as possible.
"If it were up to me it would be a shoebox driving down the road," said Lionel Perkins, GM camouflage engineer. "The design team wants us to cover more of the vehicle and the engineering team needs to have enough of the vehicle’s weight and aero exposed so that the tests in the development process are consistent with the product that will come to market."
GM shared some of the tricks that it uses on its testers:
Black and white patterns – The color scheme creates a shadow that hides vehicle design elements.
3D – Layered camouflage throws off onlookers, but has to be applied without interrupting airflow around the car.
Swirls – In the old days of car camouflage, the design relied mainly on a grid pattern, but over the years engineers discovered that grids are difficult to realign if a piece is removed to make a change to the car. Swirl patterns better hide such developments.
Bubble wrap – Camouflage can be made from many different materials including plastics, vinyl and foam. Good, old bubble wrap is a lightweight, easily attachable three-dimensional material used to confuse prying eyes.
One other thing about GM's prototypes, which also holds true for most other carmakers, as you can see from our scoop shots, is that, the camouflage package is not only unique for each car, but it's also constantly updated and revised.
“Each car is unique. We are like a dress maker, and the car is our model,” said Perkins. “No two models are the same. We need to make the right dress that fits the body we are dealing with."
#20
2016 Chevrolet Volt to feature an all-new 1.5-liter engine
Model will be unveiled early next year
General Motors has released some new details about the 2016 Chevrolet Volt.
First and foremost, the company confirmed the model will feature an all-new 1.5-liter four-cylinder range extender engine. There's no word on specifications but the engine will be built at the Flint Engine Operations plant in Flint, Michigan.
The engine will be backed up by a new Voltec Multi-Mode Electric Drive Unit that will allow the Volt to drive in pure electric or extended range electric mode. That particular system will be built at the Warren Transmission plant in Warren, Michigan.
General Motors didn't have much else to say about the car but they noted about 70 percent of the Volt’s parts will be made in the United States or Canada. The company says they believe is the most for a plug-in or conventional hybrid.
General Motors has released some new details about the 2016 Chevrolet Volt.
First and foremost, the company confirmed the model will feature an all-new 1.5-liter four-cylinder range extender engine. There's no word on specifications but the engine will be built at the Flint Engine Operations plant in Flint, Michigan.
The engine will be backed up by a new Voltec Multi-Mode Electric Drive Unit that will allow the Volt to drive in pure electric or extended range electric mode. That particular system will be built at the Warren Transmission plant in Warren, Michigan.
General Motors didn't have much else to say about the car but they noted about 70 percent of the Volt’s parts will be made in the United States or Canada. The company says they believe is the most for a plug-in or conventional hybrid.
#21
2016 Volt powertrain teased, initial specs released [video]
Model will be significantly lighter than its predecessor
Following a preview earlier today, Chevrolet has released preliminary powertrain information for the 2016 Volt.
Set to debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, the next-generation Volt will feature an all-new Voltec powertrain that consists of a battery, a drive unit, a range-extending engine and related electronics.
The car's new battery, developed in conjunction with LG Chem, features a revised cell chemistry that "increases storage capacity by 20 percent on a volume basis when compared to the original cell." The new battery is almost 30 lbs (13 kg) lighter than the previous unit and will be mounted lower in the car to reduce the Volt's center of gravity.
Chevrolet will provide electric range estimates at the North American International Auto Show but Larry Nitz, executive director of GM Powertrain’s electrification engineering team, hinted “It would have been simple for us to tweak our existing battery to provide nominally increased range, but that’s not what our customers want. So our team created a new battery system that will exceed the performance expectations of most of our owners.” This implies the 2016 Volt will far exceed the previous model's 38 mile (61 km) electric-only range.
The company also confirmed the 2016 Volt will have a new two-motor drive unit that weighs 100 lbs (45 kg) less than its predecessor and is approximately 5-12 percent more efficient. Chevrolet went on to say there will be a boost in performance from both motors operating together in more driving scenarios, in both EV and extended-range operation. That's a little vague but the company says the use both motors helps to deliver more than a 20 percent improvement in electric acceleration.
While we briefly mentioned the all-new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine earlier today, GM has now confirmed it will feature direct injection, a variable displacement oil pump, cooled exhaust gas recirculation and a high-compression ratio of 12.5:1.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/11410288...released-video
#22
2016 Chevrolet Volt Teased Once Again, Gets GPS-Based Charging System
Click here to view more photos
GM has invited current Chevrolet Volt owners to an event in Hollywood where they were able to take a look at the 2016 model, scheduled to debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.
Guests weren’t allowed to take photos, but Chevrolet’s announcement featured a teaser pic that was sent to Jalopnik by one of the participants. As you can see, the second-generation Volt has a more dynamic front end, with an upper grille that houses the bow tie logo and a much bigger lower grille.
The redesigned headlights and new vertical LED DRLs are also significant changes compared to the current model, with the car also looking wider and lower. According to the owner who sent the photo, the new Volt looks “fantastic,” but we should take into account that this is the opinion of a current Volt owner, a car that is not exactly a standard of beauty.
GM didn’t tell Volt owners anything about the new model’s price and specs, but it released details on its press site about the 2016 Volt’s charging system. The automaker says it has made it easier for customers to recharge the battery and to check the charge status.
The new model features GPS location-based charging, which allows owners to set their charging preferences exclusively for their “home” charging location, with the vehicle automatically adjusting to that setting when it is at that location. The car will recognize when it arrives “home” based on GPS data.
This function will allow owners to pre-set their charging level (8 amps or 12 amps on 120V only) and whether they wish to charge immediately, set a departure time for each day of the week, or set a departure time and a utility rate schedule to charge only at off-peak rates.
Additionally, the new Volt features more intuitive charge status indicators. An updated charge status indicator light on the on the top of the instrument panel will show the approximate charge level through a series of flashes. In addition, an available illuminated charge port makes it easier to plug in after dark as well as indicate approximate charge level through a series of flashes.
Finally, GM will offer a new 120V portable cord set including a cord nearly 25 feet (7.6 meters) long, longer than the current 120V portable cord.
Guests weren’t allowed to take photos, but Chevrolet’s announcement featured a teaser pic that was sent to Jalopnik by one of the participants. As you can see, the second-generation Volt has a more dynamic front end, with an upper grille that houses the bow tie logo and a much bigger lower grille.
The redesigned headlights and new vertical LED DRLs are also significant changes compared to the current model, with the car also looking wider and lower. According to the owner who sent the photo, the new Volt looks “fantastic,” but we should take into account that this is the opinion of a current Volt owner, a car that is not exactly a standard of beauty.
GM didn’t tell Volt owners anything about the new model’s price and specs, but it released details on its press site about the 2016 Volt’s charging system. The automaker says it has made it easier for customers to recharge the battery and to check the charge status.
The new model features GPS location-based charging, which allows owners to set their charging preferences exclusively for their “home” charging location, with the vehicle automatically adjusting to that setting when it is at that location. The car will recognize when it arrives “home” based on GPS data.
This function will allow owners to pre-set their charging level (8 amps or 12 amps on 120V only) and whether they wish to charge immediately, set a departure time for each day of the week, or set a departure time and a utility rate schedule to charge only at off-peak rates.
Additionally, the new Volt features more intuitive charge status indicators. An updated charge status indicator light on the on the top of the instrument panel will show the approximate charge level through a series of flashes. In addition, an available illuminated charge port makes it easier to plug in after dark as well as indicate approximate charge level through a series of flashes.
Finally, GM will offer a new 120V portable cord set including a cord nearly 25 feet (7.6 meters) long, longer than the current 120V portable cord.
#23
2016 Chevrolet Volt interior teased [video]
Car will have a regenerative braking on demand function
Chevrolet has released a new video of GM Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Mark Reuss, test driving the 2016 Volt.
In the clip, Reuss confirms the model will have a regenerative braking on demand function which is controlled by steering wheel-mounted paddles. The system will enable drivers to engage the regenerative braking system when they're slowing down or approaching a stop light. Furthermore, Reuss says "It is even more refined than the [system on the] ELR."
The video also gives us our first glimpse of the interior. While it is covered by camouflage, we can see the 2016 Volt will have a digital instrument cluster, metallic trim and an evolutionary center stack with a larger infotainment display.
As we have previously reported, the 2016 Volt will have a new two-motor drive unit that weighs 100 lbs (45 kg) less than its predecessor and is approximately 5-12 percent more efficient. The model will also have an all-new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection, a variable displacement oil pump, cooled exhaust gas recirculation and a high-compression ratio of 12.5:1.
Chevrolet has released a new video of GM Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Mark Reuss, test driving the 2016 Volt.
In the clip, Reuss confirms the model will have a regenerative braking on demand function which is controlled by steering wheel-mounted paddles. The system will enable drivers to engage the regenerative braking system when they're slowing down or approaching a stop light. Furthermore, Reuss says "It is even more refined than the [system on the] ELR."
The video also gives us our first glimpse of the interior. While it is covered by camouflage, we can see the 2016 Volt will have a digital instrument cluster, metallic trim and an evolutionary center stack with a larger infotainment display.
As we have previously reported, the 2016 Volt will have a new two-motor drive unit that weighs 100 lbs (45 kg) less than its predecessor and is approximately 5-12 percent more efficient. The model will also have an all-new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection, a variable displacement oil pump, cooled exhaust gas recirculation and a high-compression ratio of 12.5:1.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
Why do they need paddles, just use the brake pedal that's what it is there for. On demand even.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Regen braking uses the electric motor as a brake before it uses the calipers/pads. If the battery can't take any more charge then the conventional system kicks in. Also this means that Chevy has to link the paddles to the brake lights otherwise the car will slow down quickly with no indication for cars behind the Volt.
#27
The Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive has similar paddles and they work great, they also use a radar based system that'll use regen if you start to approach a car in front of you to maintain a gap, similar to the new dynamic/active cruise control systems, A little weird the first time it kicks in, but very slick and works effectively.
#28
Lexus Champion
My ES Hybrid has 6 virtual "gears" that allow for regen-on-demand: push the shift lever to the left from Drive and I can shift through S6 to S1. Each lower gear gives me greater regenerative braking when I coast with my foot off the accelerator.
I don't know if it turns on the brake lights; I assume not and if that is the case, that is how I like it. Leaving the shift lever in D and coasting gives me almost unnoticeable regenerative braking -- I have to press the brake pedal. But I want to be able to slow down without having to scare the guy behind me with my brake lights.
I don't know if it turns on the brake lights; I assume not and if that is the case, that is how I like it. Leaving the shift lever in D and coasting gives me almost unnoticeable regenerative braking -- I have to press the brake pedal. But I want to be able to slow down without having to scare the guy behind me with my brake lights.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
You are supposed to "scare" the person behind you when you slow down quickly that's what brake lights are for. Or would you rather the person remain perfectly calm and slam into you.
#30
The all-new 2016 Volt is designed to turn heads everywhere it goes--from the test track to the open road. And it's as quiet as it is powerful, providing an exciting and unparalleled driving experience.