Volt: GM's life ring ... and the two-modes?

[bwilson4web]

Two quick articles, basic press gets to drive the Volt mules:

2011 Chevrolet Volt Prototype - First Drive Review - Automobile Magazine

Test Drive: Chevy Volt test mule

Originally Posted by David_Zenlea

I'm driving through General Motors' Warren Technical Center at about 30 mph, and see some Canadian geese in the distance. "They'll move," I think, and hit the throttle a little harder. As I get closer, they show no inclination of moving. In fact, it's as if I'm not even there. It's only as I slow down and veer away from the plodding birds that I realize: of course the geese can't hear me, I'm driving a Chevrolet Volt prototype. There's no noise for them to hear.
. . .

I understand the Volt is planned to have some sort of noise generator. The question is will GM put them on all of their two-mode hybrids? How about their 'auto-stop' hybrids?

For GM, the Volt is their 'save the company, Hail Mary' vehicle. Their two-modes are with the exception of the Saturn two-mode (ever hear much about it???), what some think justifies their continued existence. I'm open minded but I'm buying a 2010 Prius this year.

Bob Wilson

[john1701a]

An interesting note about the Volt test-drives is no one has ever been allowed to witness the very feature in operation which makes it unique: the generator.

All reports are only of drives using the battery-pack exclusively... never after it has been depleted.
.

[FL_Prius_Driver]

Notice how the Volt is presented quite differently than fuel cell vehicles and other exotic government funded technology (e.g. Supercar). It's an encouraging sign when the developmental cars are ugly and have lots of minor details to address. That's a sure sign that the developmental car is actually being used for development.

[Shawn Clark]

Geese don't move for standard passenger car engine noise anyway. Honking doesn't work either. Now if you have a vehicle with a bit of intake and exhaust power tuning that will put out a nice roar/rumble they will move--that much I tested many times...depress the clutch, tap the go pedal for a nice throaty roar and suddenly the obstinate geese were on their way.

[Prianista]

I've said it on this forum before and I'm pleased to say it again:

If the Volt is going to be such a great car, how come the new Star Trek movie features a Corvette?

[Rybold]

Bob Lutz and the Chevy Volt were on David Letterman's show yesterday (May 20).
It actually looked really cool. Too bad Bob seemed very reluctant every time David said "I want one. Put me on the list. How soon can I get one?"
Bob's reaction seemed to support those that allege the Volt will never happen. Bob kept saying "in a year or two."
It was great advertising/publicity for the Volt and David seemed excited about it ... too bad consumers may never see it.

[rfruth]

gas2 had something about it, funny Letterman slammed the Volt not too long ago ...

Bob Lutz Responds to Elon Musk on David Letterman Show [video] : Gas 2.0

[daniel]

Originally Posted by Rybold

... Bob kept saying "in a year or two."

"Jam yesterday, and jam tomorrow. Never jam today." The Volt will always be two years away.

[Frayadjacent]

My thought about the geese:

If I'm coming at them and they don't move... and I clobber them and they die... it's just natural selection.

[hill]

Originally Posted by Frayadjacent

My thought about the geese:

If I'm coming at them and they don't move... and I clobber them and they die... it's just natural selection.

I'll bet it's less toxic to eat a goose that was hit by my Prius, than by 20 lead pellets from a 12 gauge shot gun shell.