Production Volt

[tpl]

Longish review:
First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (Integration Vehicle)

While it's too soon to say whether the Volt is the homerun GM really needs to buff its tarnished luster, we can conclude that the project is on track with better driving performance than we expected. This is definitely GM's best opportunity to show the world that it's alive, kicking, and still able to top the best imported technology

The more I read about it the less I want one.

Why?
Cause it's a hybrid?

Seems to be coming along very well.

Erik I made no derogatory comments about the Volt. 
 I, me, myself will continue to buy conventional  gas or diesel engined vehicles for the rest of my driving career.  No hybrids, no electrics, no cvt transmissions.

Why? 'cos that's what I wish to do.

Apart from that I don't believe that the battery problem ( charging time and capacity) will be solved in my lifetime if ever.   That is: to recharge a practical sized battery with the same amount of available energy in the same time as that energy can be pumped into a gasoline tank.   Now a car with a gasoline engine and an electric traction motor like the Volt is surely just re-inventing the power system used in various railway locos and heavy machinery  on a tiny scale.  OK but why add the complexity to a car that doesn't need the characteristics of an electric motor to work well.

[Erik]

Erik I made no derogatory comments about the Volt. 
 I, me, myself will continue to buy conventional  gas or diesel engined vehicles for the rest of my driving career.  No hybrids, no electrics, no cvt transmissions.

Why? 'cos that's what I wish to do.

Apart from that I don't believe that the battery problem ( charging time and capacity) will be solved in my lifetime if ever.   That is: to recharge a practical sized battery with the same amount of available energy in the same time as that energy can be pumped into a gasoline tank.   Now a car with a gasoline engine and an electric traction motor like the Volt is surely just re-inventing the power system used in various railway locos and heavy machinery  on a tiny scale.  OK but why add the complexity to a car that doesn't need the characteristics of an electric motor to work well.

Didn't take it that from your comments that you meant it in a derogatory way. Was just curious.

My view of the Volt is that it is a next step forward in automobile design and a very intriguing engineering exercise. I wish GM lots of success with it.
However, I don't plan to see one in my driveway anytime soon. Not what I am looking for in a car.

[Leviathan]

Video: Chief TWIT Leo Laporte drives, digs the Chevy Volt

Over this past weekend, thousands of the most influential geeks in America gathered in the middle of Texas for a huge party conference called South by Southwest Interactive. Being fully aware that most of these people are early adopters of new technology, Chevrolet took advantage of that fact to show off the Volt and offer some test drives.

When it comes to selecting new gear and gadgets, few people in America have a louder microphone than Leo Laporte. Laporte is a long time radio and TV host who in recent years has built up one of the most popular podcast networks out there with his TWIT empire. On Saturday, Laporte and über-blogger/twitterer/video podcaster Robert Scoble had a chance to drive the Volt and came away very enthused. Scoble spent time burning rubber until he was asked to slow down by GM officials. Laporte said of the car, "The Chevy Volt is very sweet. Glad to see Detroit embracing the electric car." Laporte now seems intent on buying a Volt and he and Scoble discuss the car on episode #239 of This Week In Tech at about 40 minutes in. Check out video of Leo learning about the mobile app after the jump.

[Leviathan]

Chevrolet’s first Volt leaves the assembly line

By Mark Kleis

The Detroit-Hamtramck plant assembled its first Volt earlier this week, several months ahead of the planned launch in November. The production of the Volt will continue over the coming months as GM tests the assembly line to find potential issues before the vehicle launch.

The Chevy Volt that rolled off of the Detroit-Hamtramck line on Monday – the first Volt to do so – was intended to be a manufacturing-validation vehicle. Chevy Volts destined for showrooms are not expected to begin production until much closer to the November launch date, according to the Detroit News.

“The first manufacturing-validation vehicle … came down the assembly line on Monday,” said GM’s vice chairman, Bob Lutz, in an interview with the Detroit News at the New York Auto Show.

Lutz went on to explain that the current Volts being produced on the assembly line are only intended to “ferret out any areas that are difficult to assemble.” Lutz added, “This is eight months before production launch. It shows that the program is in extremely good shape.”

At various times GM has suffered doubts and reports that the Volt may not make it to market, or may be significantly delayed, but Lutz denied any of those suggestions as being even remotely possible. At one point, GM even announced that it would delay construction of the Flint, Michigan, plant that was set to produce engines for the Volt.

“There’s never been any problem. There’s never been threat of cancellation. There’s never been any threat of delay,” Lutz said.

Lutz said GM will produce several hundred more manufacturing-validation versions of the Chevy Volt before the launch in November. GM plans to produce roughly, 4,000 units through summer, 2011. For now, the automaker is still working on finalizing software for the Volt, particularly in terms of drive-ability.

[EV Dan]

That's 1 month earlier than the Leaf; any info on the MSRP yet? As much as I like the Volt from the design point, I feel for GM as they will only have that one little month to "live" before the competition kicks in. At that point Volt will out price itself off of the EV market, having decided to include an expensive genset with all of its controls. And even if eventually they will go the pure EV route, the Volt will still be more expensive to make, taking into account incurred R&D costs and "retail" purchased battery cells.
If only they continued the EV1 program {sigh}

[Leviathan]

That's 1 month earlier than the Leaf; any info on the MSRP yet? As much as I like the Volt from the design point, I feel for GM as they will only have that one little month to "live" before the competition kicks in. At that point Volt will out price itself off of the EV market, having decided to include an expensive genset with all of its controls. And even if eventually they will go the pure EV route, the Volt will still be more expensive to make, taking into account incurred R&D costs and "retail" purchased battery cells.
If only they continued the EV1 program {sigh}

I don't see the Volt & Leaf as direct competitors. For folks looking for a second car they may overlap but for a one car solution the Leaf just doesn't have the range (yet).

Last I saw about an MSRP for the Volt:
Nissan will sell electric car for just over $25K

spokesman for General Motors Co., which will begin selling its Chevrolet Volt electric car later this year, said it will look at Nissan's pricing before announcing its own closer to its December sales date.

The Volt is widely expected to cost around $35,000 before the $7,500 tax credit.

[safristi]

...is this a repeChage......the train has not left the station.........but WE here have to re_LIVE the Company Speil & Pee ARRR-GH!!!!................the damn electric CHAIR would be better............

[EV Dan]

That's 1 month earlier than the Leaf; any info on the MSRP yet? As much as I like the Volt from the design point, I feel for GM as they will only have that one little month to "live" before the competition kicks in. At that point Volt will out price itself off of the EV market, having decided to include an expensive genset with all of its controls. And even if eventually they will go the pure EV route, the Volt will still be more expensive to make, taking into account incurred R&D costs and "retail" purchased battery cells.
If only they continued the EV1 program {sigh}

I don't see the Volt & Leaf as direct competitors. For folks looking for a second car they may overlap but for a one car solution the Leaf just doesn't have the range (yet).

Last I saw about an MSRP for the Volt:
Nissan will sell electric car for just over $25K

spokesman for General Motors Co., which will begin selling its Chevrolet Volt electric car later this year, said it will look at Nissan's pricing before announcing its own closer to its December sales date.

The Volt is widely expected to cost around $35,000 before the $7,500 tax credit.

35k before rebates would be definitely competitive. As one and only family car candidate the Volt is harder to overlook than the Leaf, but it is a tiny percentage of families who only have one car, even smaller in States. Besides, Leaf can still be a one car solution if there is a car rental nearby, providing of course the battery works as claimed in colder climates. IIRC Volt's battery cooling (liquid) is more sophisticated than the Leaf's and I'm not sure if either is using a battery warming.

[Erik]

The Leaf is more commuter toy. I strongly believe that they will not make a huge dent in the market just because people won't want a car that will limit them on how they can use it.

[EV Dan]

The Leaf is more commuter toy. I strongly believe that they will not make a huge dent in the market just because people won't want a car that will limit them on how they can use it.

Tell that to Californians. My bet Nissan will not be able to satisfy the demand, especially in Europe. At first many will be sold as toys, later when some infrastructure is in place ppl will discover that driving an ICE commuter is like sticking to an old good VHS. Anyone know how much Nissan's stock went up after the announcement?

[Erik]

Good article on what the real range might be. Looks like something in the range of 60 miles, if you should be silly enough to run your headlights or air conditioner, or worse yet, include a fair bit of highway in your daily commute.

Looks like the 100 mile range is based on a temperate climate, and speeds kept at or below 30 mph.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ev-range-high-anxiety-normal-driving-may-cut-range-in-half/

[safristi]

..HELL.. ADAM had a BIGGER range with HIS LEAF...............................

[Ontariodriver]

http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/volt/2011/2011-chevrolet-volt-fuel-economy-number-up-in-the-air.html

2011 Chevrolet Volt Fuel Economy Number up in the Air

Just the Facts:
GM officials are not yet willing to confirm the Chevrolet Volt will earn 230 mpg as reported last fall.
The final number is still being discussed between the automaker and the EPA, says GM.
2011 Chevy Volt will hit showrooms late this year.


DETROIT — A lot of numbers were thrown around during a nearly one-hour media update of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt on Monday afternoon, including a range of 40 miles in electric mode and 50 mpg in extended-range mode. But the Volt's overseers seemed to steer away from the much-ballyhooed 230 mpg figure in city driving that was trumpeted by GM last August.

"The 230 mpg number talked about a few months ago was based on some preliminary discussion with the EPA," said Andrew Farah, the vehicle chief engineer on the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera, when asked if the number is still relevant. "Those conversations have been continuing and have not yet come to a conclusion."

After the media conference call, Inside Line asked Rob Peterson, GM's Volt spokesman, if the Volt's fuel economy is still up in the air.

"I couldn't have said it any better," he replied.

"The discussion continues to go on between the EPA and GM," Peterson said. "[We're] working together to come up with a number that works best for the consumer."

When asked if the 230 mpg number was irrelevant at this point, Peterson said: "I don't have anything to say about it at this point in time."

He emphasized that the 50 mpg number mentioned by Farah is "the unadjusted number for extended-range [mode]. It's unrelated to the fuel economy value."

At the very least, GM officials seem hesitant to emphasize the 230 mpg number at this point, just months away from the on-sale date for the Volt, which is due to arrive in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2010. Last August, then-GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson announced the 230 mpg number standing in front of a Chevrolet Volt and a green banner with the white numerals 2 and 3 and an electrical outlet that had been transformed into a smiley face, representing the zero in 230.

The smiling electrical outlet was conspicuously absent from the PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the GM conference call on Monday.

GM said last August that the Volt will be the first mass-produced vehicle to claim more than 100 mpg in composite fuel economy.

"Are we overpromising?" said Henderson in response to a question from one reporter. "No. That's what the customer will see in the city."

The other number that still remains a mystery with the Volt is the price tag. Peterson said pricing is still not available for the Volt.

Farah did confirm that Opel Ampera pre-production has started and that the first vehicle "will come out later this month." He said the Ampera, the sibling to the Volt, will be a 2012 model introduced in Europe, but would not announce specific timing for the production model.

Farah also confirmed that GM is looking to expand the Volt technology into other vehicles. "We're looking at that in a number of different places," he said. "We're not ready to announce anything."

He said the Volt continues to be "on time.... Everything from the vehicle perspective is performing well," he said, adding that the Volt team is "still doing a few last-minute tweaks and tunes on the aerodynamics." Six pre-production Volts have been built at the Detroit Hamtramck facility and are scheduled to go to GM's Milford Proving Grounds later this week.

Farah said there will be "no changes to the propulsion system" of the 2012 Volt, but noted that there would likely be the addition of "some customer convenience items for 2012."

GM said it will also offer a 240-volt home charging station to customers of the Volt, a setup that is expected to be similar to the one offered with the Nissan Leaf.

Inside Line says: We'll just have to wait and see whether the Volt will get triple-digit fuel economy numbers as GM touted last year. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent

[IceAndFire]

So it looks like a Chevy Orlando concept based concept is (is that confusing? ) is coming with the same voltec technology from the Volt.  Except in a 5 person crossover/microvan sort of configuration.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/19/voltec-powered-chevy-crossover-concept-to-debut-in-beijing/

I'm starting to get more excited about the Volt. I was before but now I'm excited to the point of thinking that if it works out in the first few years and there are good incentives or good pricing then maybe I'd consider even buying one.  I love the liftgate/hatchback configuration, the styling is alright and technology (if it works properly) is very cool.  Either way I'm glad that it will be very difficult to kill the electric car now... Ford, Nissan, BMW and GM are in this game now.

The kinds of people that won't buy these cars but SHOULD are some of the retired folks that live near me who only drive 40kph, only drive to the stores in town and back, never drive further... they have no need for a Lincoln V8.

[Erik]

So it looks like a Chevy Orlando concept based concept is (is that confusing? ) is coming with the same voltec technology from the Volt.  Except in a 5 person crossover/microvan sort of configuration.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/19/voltec-powered-chevy-crossover-concept-to-debut-in-beijing/

I'm starting to get more excited about the Volt. I was before but now I'm excited to the point of thinking that if it works out in the first few years and there are good incentives or good pricing then maybe I'd consider even buying one.  I love the liftgate/hatchback configuration, the styling is alright and technology (if it works properly) is very cool.  Either way I'm glad that it will be very difficult to kill the electric car now... Ford, Nissan, BMW and GM are in this game now.

The kinds of people that won't buy these cars but SHOULD are some of the retired folks that live near me who only drive 40kph, only drive to the stores in town and back, never drive further... they have no need for a Lincoln V8.

Thanks for sharing that! Cool concept.

[IceAndFire]

So it looks like a Chevy Orlando concept based concept is (is that confusing? ) is coming with the same voltec technology from the Volt.  Except in a 5 person crossover/microvan sort of configuration.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/19/voltec-powered-chevy-crossover-concept-to-debut-in-beijing/

I'm starting to get more excited about the Volt. I was before but now I'm excited to the point of thinking that if it works out in the first few years and there are good incentives or good pricing then maybe I'd consider even buying one.  I love the liftgate/hatchback configuration, the styling is alright and technology (if it works properly) is very cool.  Either way I'm glad that it will be very difficult to kill the electric car now... Ford, Nissan, BMW and GM are in this game now.

The kinds of people that won't buy these cars but SHOULD are some of the retired folks that live near me who only drive 40kph, only drive to the stores in town and back, never drive further... they have no need for a Lincoln V8.

Thanks for sharing that! Cool concept.

And a little more information...

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/04/22/beijing-2010-chevrolet-volt-mpv5-crossover-revealed/

So basically it looks like an Orlando concept and the Volt mashed together and it works extremely well.  Suddenly GM has some great designers.  The engine and powertrain system is the same as the Volt but the electric range will be somewhat diminished (not surprising).  I do think it's great... a car like the Volt is really starting to appeal to me but if I had a family then this Volt based Orlando looking option looks great too.

[rrocket]

Well if GM had a clue, they'd put this technology into EVERYTHING to offset the cost, because I'm not so sure the Volt will be as huge of a success as they hope.  Spreading it around is a good thing.

[IceAndFire]

Well if GM had a clue, they'd put this technology into EVERYTHING to offset the cost, because I'm not so sure the Volt will be as huge of a success as they hope.  Spreading it around is a good thing.

I'll just keep posting links I guess

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/04/22/gms-randd-head-says-voltec-powertrain-not-suitable-for-vehicles-b/

So apparently something smaller than the Volt probably wouldn't be able to fit everything and something that much bigger would also be an issue.  I guess weight and aerodynamics become bigger problems.  So... maybe Voltec 2.0?

I do think it's great to expand to a Crossover/Wagon thing.  I was hoping that they would build the Caddilac Converj concept as well but I heard that was not given the green light.

[rrocket]

Well presumably, they'll try and write a bunch of this off as R&D.  And then use what they learned for smaller, more compact unit.  Moore's Law in action...

[IceAndFire]

Well presumably, they'll try and write a bunch of this off as R&D.  And then use what they learned for smaller, more compact unit.  Moore's Law in action...

True true... there's no reason in my head that this can't get better and better as they go along.