Category Archives: Chevrolet Volt

GM Invites Volt Fans to Name First Color and Win a Test Drive!

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Take a close look at the Chevy Volt in the photo above. We’ve seen it a number of times already but we’ve never said anything about the color. While it’s predominantly silver, it does have a green (or more specifically emerald) tint in it. According to General Motors spokesman David Darovitz, this will be one of the launch colors for the Volt and, in fact, will be exclusive to the company’s extended-range electric vehicles. Anyone who has ever bought paint, sorted through a box of Crayolas or ordered a car knows that every hue, no matter how subtle, needs a unique name. This Volt color is no different.

GM wants to include Volt fans in the naming process and is running a contest on www.chevroletvoltage.com starting today. Between now and November 4, people can submit their color name suggestions on the site. GM will sort through submissions and pick out three finalists. Between Nov. 16 and Dec. 1 you can then vote for your choice among the finalists. The three finalists will be flown to LA where the winner will be announced on the eve of the LA Auto Show press days. That person will be among the first people in the world outside of GM who actually gets to drive (not just ride along) one of the pre-production Volts. We’ve include a full gallery of high-res Volt images, so jump in to get your creative juices flowing and start submitting your name ideas! Details are after the jump. 

Chevrolet Volt

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Making its European debut at 2008 Paris Motor Show, the much-anticipated production version of the Chevrolet Volt delivers up to 60 kilometers of gasoline and emissions-free electric driving, with the extended-range capability of hundreds of additional kilometers.

"The Chevrolet Volt is symbolic of GM’s strong commitment to the future," says Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. "It features just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today’s and tomorrow’s energy and environmental challenges."

Form Follows Function

The design of the Chevrolet Volt production car has evolved from the original concept that was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Because aerodynamics plays a key role in maximizing driving range, GM designers have created an aerodynamically efficient design for the production vehicle. Many of the design cues from the concept vehicle endure in the production Chevrolet Volt, including the closed front grille, athletic stance, rear design graphics, outside rearview mirrors and more. The Chevrolet Volt’s rounded and flush front fascia, tapered corners and grille are functional, enabling air to move easily around the car. At the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler allow the air to flow off and away quickly. An aggressive rake on the windshield and rear screen help reduce turbulence and drag.

Working closely with GM aerodynamicists to shape the Chevrolet Volt, design and engineering teams have developed one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in GM’s history. They spent hundreds of hours with the Chevrolet Volt in GM’s wind tunnel, testing and re-testing parts such as the front and rear quarter panels, rear spoiler, side sills and side mirrors. Aerodynamic improvements enabled GM to reach the Volt’s target of driving up to 60 km (MVEG cycle) without using gasoline or producing emissions.

Inside, the Chevrolet Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a four-passenger sedan, and it delivers them in a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options unlike any offered before on a Chevrolet sedan. Modern controls and attractive materials, two informational displays, and a touch-sensitive infotainment center with integrated shifter distinguish the Volt’s interior from other vehicles on the market.

New Era in Automotive Transportation

The Chevrolet Volt heralds a new era in the electrification of the automobile by creating a new class of vehicle known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV.

The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 60 km, the Chevrolet Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery’s energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt’s electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional kilometers, until the vehicle’s battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Volt eliminates "range anxiety," giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

The Chevrolet Volt can be plugged into a standard household 230v outlet for charging. The vehicle’s intelligent charging technology enables the Volt’s battery to be charged in less than three hours. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted. GM estimates that it will cost less than one euro at night for a full charge that will deliver up to 60 km of electric driving.

Charged Up for Performance

On the road, the Chevrolet Volt offers spirited driving performance in a remarkably quiet interior. More than 220 lithium-ion cells contained within the Volt’s battery pack provide ample power. The Volt’s electric drive unit delivers the equivalent of 150 hp/110 kW, 370 Nm of instant torque, and a top speed of 161 km/h. The lack of engine noise, combined with special sound-deadening materials, makes the Chevrolet Volt an extremely quiet vehicle to drive.

GM estimates that the Chevrolet Volt will cost about two euro cents per km to drive while under battery power, compared to 12 euro cents per km using gasoline priced at €1.50 per liter. For an average driver who drives 60 km per day (or 22,000 km per year), this amounts to cost savings of €2,200 annually. Using night-time electricity rates, GM estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in a Volt will be about one-sixth of the cost of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.

The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced.

Chevrolet Volt: What is an E-REV?

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its primary power source and gasoline as its secondary power source to propel the vehicle.

An E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt represents a significant departure from conventional hybrids. In a E-REV, the wheels are turned by an electric drive unit, whereas in conventional hybrids the wheels are turned by an electric motor, a gasoline engine, or both. For short trips, E-REVs will run on battery power alone.

For longer trips, additional electricity can be supplied by an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. The battery and propulsion systems are sized so that when sufficient energy is available from the battery, the engine (or fuel cell) is not required for operation. During this electric only phase of driving, the battery, motor, and power electronics are designed to deliver full performance, acceleration, top speed, hill climbing on electric power alone.

How Chevrolet Volt Works

Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers (based on MVEG city cycle) without using a drop of gas. For longer trips, the Chevrolet Volt’s on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator when the battery’s energy has been depleted. The range extender, which can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.

GM: Volt to be Sportier Alternative to Prius and Insight

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Now that the Chevrolet Volt has progressed to the point where vehicles with near-production bodywork are running around, the time has come for the crew to begin ironing out details like the ride height and spring rates that will directly influence the plug-in hybrid’s handling.

Regarding these points, chief engineer Andrew Farah has some interesting things to say about the Volt and the way GM will position it against its competitors. For instance, Farah notes (in reference to the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight), "Our chassis is much more sporty than either of the other vehicles."

Farah also comments on a couple of changes to the car’s exterior design that eagle-eyed parties had noticed, such as the relocation of the plug from the front fender to under a flap in the traditional location for a gas cap. Other changes, such as the headlamps and taillights, may merely be present because the Volt is still early in its development cycle and there are some pre-production bits that aren’t yet necessary for testing purposes.

Spy photographers take note: Farah also says the car is set to undergo some hot-weather endurance testing out west this summer.

 

Chevy Volt Test Drive

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CNN’s own Peter Valdes- Dapena was given a rare opportunity to test drive a Chevy Volt pre-production vehicle at the Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan.

Typically, journalists are not allowed to test drive so called mules as they are not production ready and could have some bugs. However, GM has decided to show off the car rather than to wait for production versions. The mule driven contained the internals of the Chevy Volt, but it was the chassis and body of the of the Chevrolet Cruze.

Though other journalists have driven the Chevy Volt mule, GM has placed an embargo restricting most from writing about their experience at this point.

CNN’s reviewer Mr. Dapena had several likes about the Volt. According to Dapena, the Volt accelerated briskly under full electric power. Dapena is quoted as calling the performance "potent".

Dapena enjoyed the silent nature of the car. Noting that the "silence was still surprising" and the abundant torque provided acceleration times around 8 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint. The test Volt was also found to be vibration free and the car provided what felt like a 250 hp V6 experience.

However, the entire review was not all raves. According to Dapena, the car felt front heavy when turning and cornering due to the excessive weight of the battery system in the front of the vehicle. Quoting Dapena, "It felt almost like the small Cruze had turned into something more of a Cadillac the moment I turned the steering wheel."

Some adjustments will be made to the suspension tuning prior to production and mules are really just a test bed to find what needs to be altered. However, reducing weight does not seem to be an option, so a firmer suspension may be in order to eliminate the nose heavy feel.

Dapena’s overall impression of the Chevy Volt during his test drive is positive. Dapena said, "Except for the added weight of the battery pack, I found it surprisingly fun to drive, at least at around town speeds."

[Source: CNN Money]

 

The Chevy Volt, A Big Disappointment?

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General Motors finally unveiled the long-anticipated production version of the Chevy Volt, the world’s most famous car that doesn’t exist yet.

Today, at 8:30AM Eastern Time, GM started its 100th birthday celebration. The Volt was officially unveiled at GM’s birthday party. You can watch the video of the anniversary at GMnext.com, a website dedicated to the carmakers anniversary celebration.

GM Chairman Rick Wagoner introduced the plug-in hybrid car in Detroit, a traditional looking 5-door compact sedan that has space for 4 passengers. The Chevy Volt is called and extended-range electric vehicle or  E-REV, meaning the vehicle will run up to 40 miles on electricity from a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that powers a 150-hp electric motor.

About 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, meaning a huge percentage of Volt buyers will hardly ever fill up the tank with gas, since they can just plug-in the car and recharge it every single night.

The Chevy Volt also features a 1.4-liter flex-fuel engine. The engine doesn’t drive the wheels, it only powers the generator that recharges the battery. GM estimates that it will cost about 2 cents per mile to drive while under battery power. By contrast, it calculates that people will pay approximately 12 cents per mile for gasoline at $3.60 a gallon. The Volt will also go up to 100 miles per hour, and reach 0-60 in about nine seconds.

The price of the Chvey Volt is not set yet. According to GM, the Volt will cost somewhere between $30,000 and $50,000. According to many, the price will be around $35,000 after tax rebates.

GM has plans on selling a few hundred Volt’s in the fourth quarter of 2010 and about 60,000 in 2012.

What do you think about the Chevy Volt? Do you think it’s worth the money? Please let us know in the comment section!