The picture you see here is the production version of the Chevy Volt, due out sometime next year. But even though the plug-in car from GM is a long way off, the General gave CNN’s Peter Valdes-Dapena a test drive in a Cruze-bodied Volt mule.
Under the economy car skin are the mechanical organs of the Volt, GM’s attempt at bringing the first mass market plug-in electric car to the market. GM invited journalists from all over the blogosphere for a quick test drive in way they say is an 80% complete production car, minus the exterior.
The mule shares the same Delta-platform as the Volt, so the driving experience the test drive should give some idea of what the Volt will feel like. Brisk and heavy are the two things many journalists have to say because the T-shaped lithium battery alone weighs about 400lbs. Add that to the necessity of an electric and petrol-powered engine (to eliminate the “range anxiety” that comes with driving a vehicle whose electric-only range is 40 miles) and you have a car that feels much heavier than a petrol-only Cruze.
But that electric motor provides the performance-equivalent of a 250 horsepower V6 and provides 100% torque instantly. Slam the gas pedal, and apparently you are pinned to the seat. It may not be too long before some gearheads start twisting and tuning these into silent street sleepers, but for now that car cruises to 60mph in about 8 seconds, average for a small sedan.
But the car seems to drive and perform fairly well, even in test-mule stage. Acceleration and braking are smooth, but not perfect, and says the car is silent even standing outside of it. But he wasn’t able to see how the charge sustaining mode, the only function of the car’s 1.4 liter petrol engine, which is probably the 20% of the Volt’s powertrain still needing work.
The second half of 2010 is the target date for the Volt’s release, and the car will likely cost upwards of $30k, even with a $7,500 tax credit from the gov’ment. Lets just hope GM is still around by then.
Source: CNN
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About Christopher DeMorro
I think that I’ll just have to choose a Ford Fusion Hybrid with its 134 pound battery and range of probably around 1000 miles on a tank of fuel. I doubt that many will get the 1445.7 miles per tank that the fuel economy experts got on that demonstration run around Washington D.C.
I think that I’ll just have to choose a Ford Fusion Hybrid with its 134 pound battery and range of probably around 1000 miles on a tank of fuel. I doubt that many will get the 1445.7 miles per tank that the fuel economy experts got on that demonstration run around Washington D.C.
I think that I’ll just have to choose a Ford Fusion Hybrid with its 134 pound battery and range of probably around 1000 miles on a tank of fuel. I doubt that many will get the 1445.7 miles per tank that the fuel economy experts got on that demonstration run around Washington D.C.
I think that I’ll just have to choose a Ford Fusion Hybrid with its 134 pound battery and range of probably around 1000 miles on a tank of fuel. I doubt that many will get the 1445.7 miles per tank that the fuel economy experts got on that demonstration run around Washington D.C.
Why would it need a 1.4 liter IC engine just to run an alternator? There’s something they’re not telling you. It sounds like a more traditional hybrid, where both motors connect to the drive train.
Why would it need a 1.4 liter IC engine just to run an alternator? There’s something they’re not telling you. It sounds like a more traditional hybrid, where both motors connect to the drive train.
Why would it need a 1.4 liter IC engine just to run an alternator? There’s something they’re not telling you. It sounds like a more traditional hybrid, where both motors connect to the drive train.
I hope that picture is with a fake body. It looks like one of those 70′s junkers… the pinto or the opal.
I hope that picture is with a fake body. It looks like one of those 70′s junkers… the pinto or the opal.
The car runs via the electric motors, and petrol engine is there to give the car a range greater than 40 miles. Sure, its technically just charging an alternator, but an alternator that has to power an entire moving motor system rather than just the car electronics and spark plugs. I think its really too early to tell what the Volt will be like, but you have to start somewhere, right?
How long does the battery last and how much to replace it? The $6K battery replacement cost of the Ford Escape isn’t really palatable, but I don’t know about the new Fusion hybrid’s battery. Is it also $6K. I’d imagine the Volt’s is going to be in this range if not higher at around 100K miles. Makes all of these cars very, very expensive; but considering the real cost of oil/coal, maybe that’s necessary. What a mess we’ve made for ourselves.
http://www.ilovemountains.org/about
How long does the battery last and how much to replace it? The $6K battery replacement cost of the Ford Escape isn’t really palatable, but I don’t know about the new Fusion hybrid’s battery. Is it also $6K. I’d imagine the Volt’s is going to be in this range if not higher at around 100K miles. Makes all of these cars very, very expensive; but considering the real cost of oil/coal, maybe that’s necessary. What a mess we’ve made for ourselves.
http://www.ilovemountains.org/about
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It’s the first time I commented here and I must say you share us genuine, and quality information for bloggers! Good job.
p.s. You have a very good template for your blog. Where did you find it?