The Volt Song (& Dance)

I'm stunned. And not in a good way.

 

GM (Lutz) is trying so hard to make the Volt fail ... so far, they are hitting every sour note.

Bob Wilson

 

I keep thinking they could have devoted the money spent for that to something like an additional engineering assistant's salary or additional test time in the lab, etc. But instead they hired some cheerleaders (and not particularly good ones, either).

 

I like the words they use.... volt COULD change the world SOMEDAY...... Subliminal messed me that they not going to make it.... Or at least until someday comes along when ever that is....

 

Who on earth came up with that juvenile crap!?

 

There were a few responses to this on gm-volt saying it is their way of distracting from the engineering details recently revealed that don't exactly live up to the hype.

Why they allowed the hype to persist for so long had some concerned, but the response to the responses is even worse. The moderator simply deleted those comments.

I find it ironic. The song & dance of promotion & hype has literally transformed to actual song & dance.

With blinders on and fingers in ears now, what's next? We've got New York & Detroit auto shows on the way. Enthusiasts certainly are feeling pressure from every direction.
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+1. Good analysis.

I tend to believe this gives us a window into how things are run inside GM. Censorship.
When a problem arises, discussion of the issue so that you can correct the problem and make improvements is the best solution. What was the purported engineering problem?

 

Michael Jackson still has better moves than these dancers.

 

GM's own press releases stated that energy conversion from mechanical to electricity back to mechanical was not as efficient as direct mechanical.

It was a big part of the promotion of Two-Mode superiority over HSD, since their design could eliminate the conversion entirely rather than reduce it significantly like the competition. Then comes along Volt, which requires that convert-convert process 100% of the time the engine is used. Talking about mixed messages!

Anywho, we recently got a sample of actual real-world data. It didn't live up to the hype. The "50 MPG" generater hope some of us had questioned turned out to be roughly 40 MPG. That resulted in some hostile reactions from a few die-hard supporters, turning on anyone even remotely associated with Toyota hybrids. Censorship is an obvious quick solution to prevent things from getting too ugly.

Meanwhile, Volt now sits in a rather awkward position. How will it end up being marketed and to who?
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The 40 MPG makes a lot of sense from an engineering analysis. The Precept, GM's original Volt, had a diesel range extender engine. One reason for going with gas is to handle emissions and minimize weight. But as Toyota has shown, diesel-like performance can be achieved with an Atkinson cycle while retaining excellent emissions.

The other engineering fact is drag is the immovable rock in vehicle mileage performance. It is what limits EV range and still manufacturers are too willing to let 'style' bleed performance. Just look at the "air inlet" on the Volt front buffer.

I think the Volt can be 'saved' by adding a light weight, single or two speed transmission geared for Euro and EPA speed ranges. The engine still generates power but operates only at cruise speed, +40 mph. A significant portion of the power would come from the engine while it adds charge to the traction battery.

The improved 'two mode' would be:

• traction battery and motor - provide all urban speed performance
• range extender - provides traction battery charge and sustains high speed using a 'high speed only', one or two gear transmission (LOW POWER!)
• traction battery and motor - provide high speed, surge energy for passing and hill climb

Will we see this from GM? ... no.

Bob Wilson

 

<sigh>

 

Pathetic.Maybe they can try out for 'So you think you can dance' .... nextI think the Volt will be a bomb (and not 'da bomb')Chevy has virtualy no hybrid background coming into this Volt. How will they all of a sudden dominate?I don't understand how the car will only be driven by electric motor, then somehow the little gas engine will simultaneously recharge the battery while the battery is powering the electric motor(s).How is that supposed to happen?

 

You see, they assume that today's 3 year olds will be the primary buyers of the Volt so they are starting marketing campaigns to capture them early.

 

Today's 3 year olds may be 25 by the time the Volt hits the market. :madgrin: