Saturn Flextreme

[tripp]

Originally Posted by patsparks

Agreed.
The only other improvement I can think of is a removable range extender module you can leave home when it isn't needed but a 5 minute owner install is all that is required to prepare for a long drive. The range extending engine could be replaced by additional batteries for longer electric range which you remove to install the diesel generator and fuel tank at holiday time.

That's my 2c

A bit of heavy lifting there, mate. I think the genset would prolly have to stay. Which it ain't a lawn mower engine.

[Godiva]

Originally Posted by patsparks

Agreed.
The only other improvement I can think of is a removable range extender module you can leave home when it isn't needed but a 5 minute owner install is all that is required to prepare for a long drive. The range extending engine could be replaced by additional batteries for longer electric range which you remove to install the diesel generator and fuel tank at holiday time.

That's my 2c

Speaking as a lady, Oh, that's going to be real popular.

Speaking as someone with two herniated discs at L4 and L5 I'm thinking if it weighs more than 20 lbs....no way.

This is NOT a selling point.

[patsparks]

How about if the car came with a dolly that attaches to the genset so you can wheel it out the back of the car? No lifting and 5 minutes to remove? Don't think of the generator in the car but rather a corner which wheels away and another panel clips in its place or a door hinges to one side so you can attach a trolley, unlock the power module and wheel it away easy as that.
I know this will never happen but why carry a 150kg engine and generator with you all year when you only need it twice a year? Especially when the extra weight is costing you range or taking extra battery space.

Yes, I know I'm crazy, they already told me that when I said CD would be replaces by re-recordable solid state chips. (like in an iPod or MP3 player.)

[Godiva]

Originally Posted by patsparks

How about if the car came with a dolly that attaches to the genset so you can wheel it out the back of the car? No lifting and 5 minutes to remove? Don't think of the generator in the car but rather a corner which wheels away and another panel clips in its place or a door hinges to one side so you can attach a trolley, unlock the power module and wheel it away easy as that.
I know this will never happen but why carry a 150kg engine and generator with you all year when you only need it twice a year? Especially when the extra weight is costing you range or taking extra battery space.

Yes, I know I'm crazy, they already told me that when I said CD would be replaces by re-recordable solid state chips. (like in an iPod or MP3 player.)

No woman is going to do this. Excuse me, Galaxee and PintoGirl. Very few women are going to do this. There are some men that won't do it either.

And what about those that don't have garages to store the dolly and parts when not in the car? Are they going to wheel them off the street and into their living room?

The only way this is going to work is to make the part a rentable one that you go to the dealer to have put in when needed and removed after you're done. And even THAT isn't going to fly.

[tripp]

I was assuming at first that this thing's a series hybrid. But after reading a little more, I discovered that it's got a 1.3L turbo diesel. Given the size of the car, it's not a genset, it's a full blown engine. In this respect, it sounds very different to the Volt, which seems to have a smaller engine that really acts as genset and doesn't ever directly power the wheels (correct me if I'm wrong). So this design seems a bit inefficient to me. The 1.3L engine is gonna weigh about the same as a large adult passenger, I'm guessing.