Chevy Volt Concept @ NAIAS (Update, GM Jolted by Chevrolet Volt Buzz)
01-07-07, 12:02 AM
#1
Speaks French in Russian
Thread Starter
Chevy Volt Concept @ NAIAS (Update, GM Jolted by Chevrolet Volt Buzz)
GM's much-rumored electric vehicle introduction for the North American International Auto Show has indeed been revealed to be the Chevrolet Volt. Built on a new platform referred to as E-flex, the cute coupe spins the front wheels via a 161 HP electric motor and a lithium-ion storage pack with 16 kWh of capacity (a piece of technology that, by GM's own admission, is not yet ready for prime time). An Ecotec-branded turbocharged 71 HP three-banger sits under the hood to spin a 53 kW generator, which provides one method by which to charge the pack; the other consists of a pair of plugs (one on either side) that facilitate charging via a standard 110V connection. Six hours or so of charge time at home is good for 40 miles of range, after which the IE kicks in at a steady 1800 RPM to feed the packs. GM calls it an EV with "range extending capability", but to our eyes, it sure looks like a series hybrid. It also has us asking why a small diesel wasn't employed, as such an engine can provide wonderful efficiency when used at a steady speed and load (as former GM division Electromotive has proven with its locomotives over the past several decades).
01-21-07, 06:32 PM
#5
G35x - RWD/AWD goodness
Green Beat: GM Jolted by Chevrolet Volt Buzz
There's high-wattage public interest in the Chevrolet Volt electric concept that was displayed at the Detroit auto show, GM says.
Date posted: 01-18-2007
DETROIT — Call them love letters to the Chevrolet Volt.
But General Motors apparently has been besieged by consumers who want to get their hands on a production version of the electric concept that was unveiled last week at the North American International Auto Show.
Writing in GM's Fastlane blog, Beth Lowery, GM environment and energy vice president, said the Volt's fans have been flooding the automaker with lots of ideas. Among them are suggestions to build a high-performance version and to get it "into production within two years while keeping the price under $30K."
Lowery says, "It's a little early to talk in detail about the specific applications beyond the Volt or about a specific time frame for its release, but we believe E-Flex is a very versatile technology that could be right for general applications."
Lowery took on critics of the Detroit automaker, especially those who castigated the company for its dead EV1 program. "I can understand why people are skeptical," Lowery said. "All I can tell you is that we recognize the role that electricity will play in future cars — that's why we've worked so hard to bring you the Volt.
"But we do not believe that electric cars are the only answer," she continued. "We believe there are a number of solutions to ending our dependence on oil, and we are working on many of them simultaneously, including hydrogen fuel cells, clean diesel, FlexFuel and hybrids. And we have designed the E-Flex system for the Volt so it can be coupled with motors using any of these fuel sources."
What this means to you: GM hears you loud and clear and plans to make absolutely sure you won't be seeing any movies called Who Killed the Volt?
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=119260#2
Trending Topics
01-21-07, 09:06 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post