Chevy Volt doesn't have an engine note, so it'll get sci-fi operating noises

[HeilSvenska]

[10000rpmlover]

what a shame, GM has UGLYFIED this car remarkably well, I was planning on getting one for the wife since all she does is ineer city stop and go, but now... no way, her little Mazda 3 is nicer looking than this heap of garbage in design

looks like a neon had sex with a volkswagen

[HeilSvenska]

^To be fair, there was no way this(v) was going to be made.

And I shouldn't have to explain to you the reasons. It's still worlds better looking than Prius and Insight.

Sad Insight. It's bad enough that it look (exactly) like a Prius with a Civic front, no one knew that it was coming out.

[RC45]

I'd take a Volt over the Pius or the Insult any day.

[Minacious]

So where's the Volt, because that isn't it.

[79TA]

It died in the wind tunnel. They kept the rear pretty faithful. GM wanted to do all they could to achieve a good glory mpg number. I really wish they could have done something nicer with the basic proportions though (the details aren't too bad considering the surface they have to try to accentuate). Atleast it isn't a Prius clone like the new Insight.

I don't find it offensive though.

[10000rpmlover]

re badge the concept as a cobalt, put in a 2.0L turbo ecotec four and they will sell more cars than they can make

[79TA]

That's an interesting idea. It does seem like a shame to waste so much of that design, even if the whole side window setup couldn't be completely replicated.

[FoxFour]

I see that the Volt will have Lithium Ion batteries. Even though they (GM) say they are of modified design, these batteries are quite the unpredictable little buggers. Overcharge a typical lithium ion battery and they can either explode,catch fire or both. But they should have the design fully tested and deemed safe by the time the car hits the streets. I mean, new cars never have any problems, right?

[dutchmasterflex]

GM says this car will get 40 MILES per charge?! Hahahahah

[79TA]

Originally Posted by FoxFour I see that the Volt will have Lithium Ion batteries. Even though they (GM) say they are of modified design, these batteries are quite the unpredictable little buggers. Overcharge a typical lithium ion battery and they can either explode,catch fire or both. But they should have the design fully tested and deemed safe by the time the car hits the streets. I mean, new cars never have any problems, right?

You'll notice that most of the delay with the volt has been battery development. GM is fully aware of the issues that lithium ion batteries have and is set on making them work in the Volt. I'm so glad they're not stuck in the 90's using NiCd's like Toyota.

Originally Posted by dutchmasterflex GM says this car will get 40 MILES per charge?! Hahahahah

Yes, exactly. They don't want it to weigh as much so terribly much like electric cars or hybrids from the past. Most people only drive about 40 miles in a commuting day. If they go over that, they have the gas engine as an efficient generator. I myself fall exactly into this category with my commute to school (38 miles a day.) People in the midwest will certainly find their heater plugins (or whatever those are called) to be quite handy for their Volts.

It's a very well thought out car. The drivetrain is basically like what you'd find in your average diesel electric train. It's not a coincidence that trains don't run the diesel directly in combination with regenerative braking and a whole freaking extra drivetrain. Ugh, current hybrids like the Prius are such bandaid technology it's not even funny.

[MidEngine4Life]

Is this a different thread or was my comment deleted? lol

[HeilSvenska]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...9160402/&imw=Y


I really don't mind the way it looks.

Vehicle Type: 5-door, front-wheel-drive sedan Category: Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) E-REV competitors: none Chassis: Independent McPherson struts front, compound crank twist axle rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximize energy capture, electric power-assist steering seating Capacity: Four Manufacturing location: Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly (subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives) Top speed (mph): 100 EV range, city (miles): 40 (based on EPA city cycle) Chevrolet Volt Leads General Motors Into Its Second Century DETROIT - General Motors launched its next 100 years today by unveiling the much-anticipated production version of the Chevrolet Volt - a vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving, with the extended-range capability of hundreds of additional miles. "Revealing the production version of the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century," said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. "The Volt is symbolic of GM's strong commitment to the future ... 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 created an aerodynamically efficient design for the production vehicle. Many of the design cues from the concept vehicle endure in the production Volt, including the closed front grille, athletic stance, rear design graphics, outside rearview mirrors and more. The Volt's rounded and flush front fascia, tapered corners and grille are functional, enabling air to move easily around the car. In 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 back glass help reduce turbulence and drag. Working closely with GM aerodynamicists to shape the Volt, design and engineering teams developed one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in GM's history. They spent hundreds of hours with the Volt in GM's wind tunnel, testing and re-testing parts such as the front and rear quarter panels, rear spoiler, rockers and side mirrors. Aerodynamic improvements enabled GM to reach the Volt's target of driving up to 40 miles (based on EPA city cycle) without using gasoline or producing emissions. Inside, the 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 in the market. Some of Volt's interior technological features include: * Driver-configurable, liquid crystal instrument display * Standard seven-inch touch screen vehicle information display * Touch screen-style climate and infotainment controls * Optional navigation system with onboard hard drive for maps and music storage * Standard Bluetooth for cellular phone and USB/Bluetooth for music streaming New era in automotive transportation The Chevrolet Volt is leading a new era of 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 40 miles, the 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 miles, 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 either into a standard household 120v outlet or use 240v for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours on a 240v outlet or about eight hours on a 120v outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted. At a cost of about 80 cents per day (10 cents per kWh) for a full charge that will deliver up to 40 miles of electric driving, GM estimates that the Volt will be less expensive to recharge than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee. Charging the Volt about once daily will consume less electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and freezer units. Charge out of driving 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 horsepower, 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, and a top speed of 100 miles per hour. The lack of engine noise, combined with special sound-deadening materials, make the Chevrolet Volt an extremely quiet vehicle to drive. GM estimates that the Volt will cost about two cents per mile to drive while under battery power compared to 12 cents per mile using gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon. For an average driver who drives 40 miles per day (or 15,000 miles per year), this amounts to a cost savings of $1,500 annually. Using peak electric rates, GM estimates that an electrically driven mile in a Chevy Volt will be about one-sixth of the cost of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle. The cost savings are even greater when charging during off-peak hours, when electric rates are cheaper. 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. Visit media.gm.com/volt for more information. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

[HeilSvenska]

Pics
http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/voltpresshots/

[5vz-fe]

The interior seems (esp the steering) civic like. However, I have to say, they have come a long way from their old interior styling.