The Chevrolet Volt.

Syclone · 01-07-2007, 12:23 AM

This article is in the Sunday NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/automobi...amp;oref=slogin

Great concept - but no batteries available yet!

**efusco** · 01-07-2007, 12:59 AM

Interesting...

gring40 · 01-07-2007, 01:26 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jan 6 2007, 11:59 PM) [snapback]371970[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Interesting...

[/b]

Sounds a bit like their old California Electric Vehicle with upgraded LI batteries and a gas engine added. It would be inefficient to use the engine this way, but might make up for it if it were a plug-in as well, which one might imply from that 6.5 hour recharge time. (Sorry, should have read the first post first, as I only mention the obvious)

john1701a · 01-07-2007, 02:02 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(syclone @ Jan 6 2007, 11:23 PM) [snapback]371969[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Great concept - but no batteries available yet!
[/b]

I suppose if people acknowledge the reality that a concept vehicle rarely ever advances beyond being just a publicity tool, there's not much harm done. After all, automotive history is loaded with publicity models that never actually make it to production. But it is still rather annoying hearing people say stuff like they'll wait for a fuel-cell vehicle rather than considering a hybrid. It's evidence that crucial details are lost in the dazzle of showing off for the press.

In this particular case, the "E-Flex" series hybrid sounds great... until that note about no batteries actually being available is read. It's a vital component that's missing, making production unrealistic anytime soon.

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 01-07-2007, 02:05 AM

What's this?

A new electric vehicle for GM to crush because . . .
“We learned that customers did not want to plan their lives around the next battery charge.”

So how is the Volt - a plug in vehicle - that much different from the EV-1 if you only use it for short distance driving?

I sure as hell wouldn't be leasing a Chevy Volt.

So far, this thing is just a bunch of vaporware. " . . .the company cannot set a production schedule until the proper batteries are ready."

When will that be? As far behind as GM normally runs behind the competition in automobile high-technology . . . my guess is the latter half of the next decade. <_<

“We are dead serious about taking this technology into high-volume production.” . . . and then crushing it as proof that nobody wants this stuff if it doesn't come in an SUV form factor.

gring40 · 01-07-2007, 02:13 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Jan 7 2007, 01:02 AM) [snapback]371981[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I suppose if people acknowledge the reality that a concept vehicle rarely ever advances beyond being just a publicity tool, there's not much harm done. After all, automotive history is loaded with publicity models that never actually make it to production. But it is still rather annoying hearing people say stuff like they'll wait for a fuel-cell vehicle rather than considering a hybrid. It's evidence that crucial details are lost in the dazzle of showing off for the press.

In this particular case, the "E-Flex" series hybrid sounds great... until that note about no batteries actually being available is read. It's a vital component that's missing, making production unrealistic anytime soon.
[/b]

When I left grad school in '71 (hate to date myself this way

), the Engineering Department had a working gas-electric hybrid project car, and only 30 years later it made it into the marketplace. Same is probably true for today's lab prototypes: don't hold your breath.

Godiva · 01-07-2007, 02:19 AM

The perfect concept car. On paper only. And they can pretty much claim anything they want.

They don't even have to build one, so nothing to crush.

Does anyone find it interesting that this has come out after all of the bad press of "Who Killed the Electric Car"? And notice they made it a point to mention the EV1 in the article.

viking31 · 01-07-2007, 08:33 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jan 7 2007, 02:19 AM) [snapback]371984[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The perfect concept car. On paper only. And they can pretty much claim anything they want.

They don't even have to build one, so nothing to crush.

Does anyone find it interesting that this has come out after all of the bad press of "Who Killed the Electric Car"? And notice they made it a point to mention the EV1 in the article.
[/b]

Amazing how many posters in this forum seem to actually be praying for GM's demise. Never mind the 10's of thousands of people directly employed by GM, the 10's of thousands of families who rely on their spouses employment. Your basic lack of the understanding of the economic impact GM has on the US is astounding to say the least...

Back to the Volt. I think it is an excellent concept car. What appeals to me the most is its relative simplicity compared to the standard hybrids that exist today. Yes, the Chevy Volt operating as a serial hybrid cannot achieve the efficiencies that the Prius can operating as a parallel hybrid but it comes close. But the price point should be lower allowing more people to buy hybrids. And it is a PHEV. If used as a PHEV this car will burn sigificantly less fuel than the Prius.

Rick
#4 2006

seasalsa · 01-07-2007, 08:50 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking31 @ Jan 7 2007, 05:33 AM) [snapback]372020[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Amazing how many posters in this forum seem to actually be praying for GM's demise.
Rick
#4 2006
[/b]

No, they are just judging GM on past performance.

daniel · 01-07-2007, 10:26 AM

I'd buy one. But I'm not holding my breath. The article in Forbes says "it may never be built."

But if they do build it, and come out with it first, I'd sure buy one. A 40-mile plug-in range more than makes up for its less-than-Prius efficiency for the long trips that I take so seldom.

I hope they build it. I hope they succeed. But considering GM's history, I think it's all just make-believe.

01-07-2007, 02:05 AM	#5
Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,012 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 15 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	What's this? A new electric vehicle for GM to crush because . . . “We learned that customers did not want to plan their lives around the next battery charge.” So how is the Volt - a plug in vehicle - that much different from the EV-1 if you only use it for short distance driving? I sure as hell wouldn't be leasing a Chevy Volt. So far, this thing is just a bunch of vaporware. " . . .the company cannot set a production schedule until the proper batteries are ready." When will that be? As far behind as GM normally runs behind the competition in automobile high-technology . . . my guess is the latter half of the next decade. <_< “We are dead serious about taking this technology into high-volume production.” . . . and then crushing it as proof that nobody wants this stuff if it doesn't come in an SUV form factor. __________________ My words are my word. I refuse to actively participate in any forum where my written words can/are changed by the powers that be. If you don't like what I wrote, delete it – but don't put words in my mouth that aren't mine. Good-bye.

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01-07-2007, 12:23 AM	#1
Syclone Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 490 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This article is in the Sunday NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/automobi...amp;oref=slogin Great concept - but no batteries available yet!

01-07-2007, 12:59 AM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,050 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 23	Interesting...

01-07-2007, 02:19 AM	#7
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 9,946 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 3 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	The perfect concept car. On paper only. And they can pretty much claim anything they want. They don't even have to build one, so nothing to crush. Does anyone find it interesting that this has come out after all of the bad press of "Who Killed the Electric Car"? And notice they made it a point to mention the EV1 in the article.

01-07-2007, 10:26 AM	#10
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 9,124 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'd buy one. But I'm not holding my breath. The article in Forbes says "it may never be built." But if they do build it, and come out with it first, I'd sure buy one. A 40-mile plug-in range more than makes up for its less-than-Prius efficiency for the long trips that I take so seldom. I hope they build it. I hope they succeed. But considering GM's history, I think it's all just make-believe.