GM releases some teasers for Volt 2.0

The CHAdeMO port shown in the Mirai video might be part of a vehicle-to-grid demo capability. Right now it's a mystery. As far as I know, the size of the battery pack in the Mirai has not been published yet. The existing fuel cell prototype vehicles have ~2kwh non-plug hybrid-style packs as far as I know but I haven't followed the details on these cars very closely.

 

The video mentions it can power a house.
How do the Japanese Prius PHVs with emergency power function connect to a house?

 

i think they plug right into the charging port.

 

I wish them luck.

Bob Wilson

 

i think that's what the onlookers said about the hindenburg, as it left for america...

 

Very cool and proof they've been listening: GM put out a release tonight detailing the new Volt's "user-friendly" charging system, which includes a GPS-based system that allows drivers to set different charging settings based on locations. An owner could set specific charging times and amperages at home to take advantage of off-peak power rates, and other settings for quick charging at the office or at remote stations.

 

I don't really see how the charging changes will really help. They should have spent the programming money on a 6.6kW charger.

It's definately more aggressive. I'm not sure how I feel about the half silver bottom grille. Sorta reminds me of the "grillz" worn by Nelly and Paul Wall. :/





The headligh assembly is ugly too. Looks crooked and the turn signal bulb is atrocious. I think the Volt 1.0 headlights looked better. The new ones probably function better though. Hopefully they are at least as good as the Gen III Prius.

Here is the shopped version of the whole front end.

I noticed it is using Prius-like LED running lights. I wonder if only half light up like the Prius. LOL


Merged back to back to back posts, please multi quote everyone.......

 

Hmmmmmm.......

I'll betcha in about 9-10 months I can get a great deal on a 2015 Volt......

 

GM has done their homework. They know the Volt has stolen some of the Prius's market share with it's longer EV range, therefore it's logical to increase the EV range. However, it's hard to see how they can do this without sacrificing either interior space or battery longevity, but then again, component longevity has never been Detroit's strong suit.

 

GM has, IMO, been overly cautious with their batteries. The car only has access to about 65% of the battery.
So they could easily dip into some of that with negligible drawbacks.
In addition, battery technology isn't standing still. Their have been intermittent improvements in the EV range without increasing the pack size.
I don't see it all that unreasonable to see them continue to do so.

 

What you call "negligible drawbacks" are not supported by empirical data. Toyota deliberately seeks an optimal balance between charge level and battery longevity, by limiting charge levels, and by using the best quality batteries available in that class.

 

And GM went a few steps further by using even less overall capacity and installing a very robust cooling system for the battery and associated components AND continually reformulating their battery chemistry and plate designs. The Volt has already had 2 battery upgrades. The Volt 2.0 will see a completely new design and chemistry. That's how you get more range without sacrificing more room.

 

If you believe all the marketing copy.

 

The reality is that Toyota is putting at least as much stress on the plugin pack than the Volt is. Liquid A/C compressor tied cooling versus ambiant cabin air cooling. The Prius Plugins draws up to 38 kW from its 4.4 kWh pack. If the Volt did that it would draw 148 kW (17.1/4.4 x 38) instead of it's maximum 111 kW.

It's still early days but the initial real-world battery capacity loss testing of plugin cars being done by Idaho National Labs shows their Prius Plugins with almost twice the battery degradation as their Volts after the same Te and number of miles. The Prius Plugins only have about 25,000 miles and have lost 3-4%. The Volts at 25,000 miles lost about 2% and at 60-75,000 miles have lost 4-5%.

The chemistries are a little different and some batteries drop a little faster initially and then hold steady for awhile so you can't read too much into the data yet for the Prius. You can say that the Volt is doing quite well with less than %1 loss for every 10,000 miles.

 

I don't.
Which is why I've been reviewing all of the data that I can find on my next car.....

 

Oh cool. What will the price of the new Volt be, 5grand now?

 

I spent 10 weeks, checking out nearly every vehicle in my price-range, at nearly every dealership within 50 miles before I settled on the Prius. I have no regrets whatsoever.

 

GM hasn't said much other than it will cost less than the current one. That makes it at least $20K less than the toyota mirai ;-)

 

And more practical.