Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM, Detroit Auto Show
UK Sunday Times continues the Chevy Volt leaks
The Chevy Volt leaks are getting stronger now. Check out this article from the Sunday Times (a UK newspaper with a January 7 date). The new tidbits they've revealed (without a picture, mind you):- The Volt production model will be on sale at the end of the decade.
- The Chevrolet Volt is propelled only by the electric motor, and the ICE is there to recharge the batteries.
- The Volt's top speed is 120mph and it accelerates from 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds.
- After 40 miles of electric power-only movement, the gas engine is starts automatically and then runs at a constant speed as it recharges the batteries.
- GM estimates fuel consumption of 180 mpg equivalent, based on a 60-mile trip with fully charged batteries.
- The Volt will use GM's new E-Flex propulsion system, which can be adapted to use bioethanol fuel and will also be able to handle a diesel engine or a hydrogen fuel cell as the electricity generator.
UPDATE: As promised, here's all the info you could ever want on the Volt, including pictures, specifications, and lots and lots of details.
[Source: The Sunday Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ready Set Slow 9:03PM (1/06/2007)
I'm guessing GM wasn't diggin the negative press of their brand falling second behind Toyota.
If they can get it to market before 2008 then they might have a chance against Toyota and Honda.
But if they can magically get it here in the summer of 2007, they'll get a green and white checkered flag.
Reply
Landon 9:05PM (1/06/2007)
Wow! If the production model meets those specs, this will be a leap ahead in terms of automobile design. I wonder what kind of engine is used. The article seems to indicate that after the batteries are discharged the car will still get 60 mpg. Perhaps the car uses an HCCI engine. It would be entirely feasible considering the engine runs at a constant rpm.
Reply
Rick 11:29PM (1/06/2007)
This is good news. As for the "ready set slow" poster, this car will get three times the mileage of the ugly Prius, whose battery production causes more pollution than any car could. Also get your facts straight, GM is still number one in global sales and leads in fuel efficiency with the most model over 30 mpg.
Reply
CM 3:36AM (1/07/2007)
GM doesn't "lead fuel economy". True, they do have the most models that get over 30 mpg, but some are the same cars with different name badges, and most barely make it over 30. Raise it to "models over 35 mpg" and GM is behind Toyota and Honda. At "models over 40 mpg", it's by-by, GM currently has nothing.
But the Chevy Volt, if it ever gets into production, will finally make GM a contender, and finally give GM a serious competitor to the Prius.
Who will get their "Pluggable" to market first? I'm betting on Toyota.
Reply
kent beuchert 1:38AM (1/08/2007)
I'd like to know why a car with a detailed drawing
showing a 16 kWhr battery pack is said to only get 40 miles of all-electric driving? That amount of juice will propel the VOLT over 70 miles down the road. I
thinkthey are confusing the VOLT plug-in with the upcoming Saturn Vue plug-in.
Reply
kent beuchert 1:38AM (1/08/2007)
Whether Honda and Totota happen to have a car with a higher MPG than any at GM is no proof that their fleet has better mileage. On similar models, GM always has higher MPG than either Honda or Toyota - check out the 3000 pound GM models versus the Camry and Accord.
Reply
bill moore 8:43AM (7/27/2007)
I would like to know to put my name on list to buy the volt. I think it looks better then the ev1
Reply