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View Full Version : Chevy Volt is no "electric Camaro"


xcel
04-18-2008, 02:37 PM
For efficiency's sake GM's electric car will look a little tamer than the concept car, but still no Prius. (http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/17/autos/chevrolet_volt/index.htm?postversion=2008041812)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/548/Resize_of_Volt_Front_View.jpgPeter Valdes-Dapena – CNN/Money - April 18, 2008

If anyone had a clue as to what it will finally look like, maybe than we could pass judgment. With seating for only 4 however, it sounds like a standard compact class platform. -- Ed.

WARREN, Mich. -- General Motors is on track to begin production of the Chevrolet Volt in 2010, according to GM executives involved in the car's development. But consumers should ready themselves for something a little tamer-looking than the concept car GM revealed in January 2007.

A recent visit to GM's Design Center in Warren, Mich., provided a look at design sketches and life-size models of the interior and exterior of the production Chevrolet Volt. Parts of the models were kept covered, but large portions of the front and rear ends of the life-size models were revealed.

Designs are very nearly finalized, according to Bob Boniface, head of design for the Volt program, with only minor details needing to be worked out.

The Volt will run on electric power stored in large lithium ion batteries. Plugging the vehicle into a wall outlet overnight will provide enough to power to drive the four-door sedan about 40 miles, GM (GM, Fortune 500) says. Beyond that, a small gasoline engine will act as a generator to pump more electricity into the batteries.

Sharp-edged concept … http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/17/autos/chevrolet_volt/index.htm?postversion=2008041812

bestmapman
04-18-2008, 02:42 PM
Their a just too many unknowns still too get to excited yet. If the car is what they say it is and at the original price. Where do I put my deposit.

99HXCivic
04-18-2008, 02:50 PM
Drive 40 miles to work = no more battery. No charging at work. I hope they have a car parked generator function so it can charge for the drive home. But then you wouldn't want this for a closed garage. I hope GM is smart enough to forsee this.

Earthling
04-18-2008, 03:04 PM
Even while trying to maximize efficiency and range, designers were careful not to strip away too much of the Volt's personality, said Boniface. The car will look nothing like Toyota's (TM) egg-shaped Prius hybrid.

"From what I've seen, it's going to be really cool looking," agreed Dennis

Oh, so a Prius isn't cool looking?

I beg to differ. And my Prius is real, unlike GM's vaporware concept car.

Harry

Chuck
04-18-2008, 03:06 PM
Drive 40 miles to work = no more battery. No charging at work. I hope they have a car parked generator function so it can charge for the drive home. But then you wouldn't want this for a closed garage. I hope GM is smart enough to forsee this.I'm no GM apologist, but PHEV-40 is kick butt! Even if the caviat is EV limited to 40mph that is something new.

Say the Volt or similar in non-EV mode gets 50mpg...this traction battery pack gives it a mixed-mode fuel economy that would probably be over 100mpg.

Of course, it comes back to will GM suprize us and deliver?

efusco
04-18-2008, 03:13 PM
Related Video:
http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/news/2008/04/17/news.dapena.chevyvolt.cnnmoney

brick
04-18-2008, 04:13 PM
If they deliver anything, and it functions, and people get excited about buying it as a legitimately fuel efficient and forward thinking car...ever...I'll be ecstatic.

rweatherford
04-19-2008, 09:14 AM
Perhaps you can dig this up.....

There was an article about GM giving out platform assignments to it's plants for the 2010 timeframe. There is a new platform that will house a new 7 seat MPV (like my Mazda5) for export only (WHY?) and two new cars, one of them being the Volt. One of the cars already had a picture, which may give an indication on the Volts size and shape. Sounds like it will be similar in size to the Malibu to me. (seats 5)

vtec-e
04-19-2008, 02:14 PM
for export only (WHY?)
Because they know it will be so successful that sales of other cars will die off very quickly. Things will only happen gradually.

ollie.

desdemona
04-19-2008, 04:52 PM
I hate to be an apologist for Chevy, because I actually have no faith that this car will come about. BUt if it does, don't the vast majority of Americans drive LESS than 40 miles per day?
I don't know if they realize this. Seems people buy cars for the one time they might need to haul something vs the 364 days a year they don't. Or the one camping trip a year vs the 51 weeks they don't take one. Or perhaps the mountains they imagine they will go up vs the real life mountains they don't.

--des

deezle
04-21-2008, 03:00 PM
Sounds like it will be similar in size to the Malibu to me. (seats 5)

Except that the battery pack would likely go the length of the floor in the center---perhaps preventing a middle seat in the rear.



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