The Chevrolet Volt which plans to land in November this year, is a real player. Though the production model is yet undergoing substantial changes……what I looked at was a pre-production model. But even it was a good challenge for this year’s other launches.
On the Roads:
Power is good and comparable to that of a large four-cylinder engine but with six-cylinder levels of torque. The Volt isn’t a neck-snapping electric freight train like the Tesla Roadster, but she’s no golf cart, either. With no gears to shift or engine buzzing, acceleration is silky smooth (remember it’s a test model). Button cycles through the Volt’s various power-train modes include normal is the EREV’s default state, emphasizing efficiency in an attempt to get the full 40 miles out of the battery. Next up is titular Sport mode, which remaps the throttle for more aggressive tip-in and is more liberal with sending the electrons to the motor. An oddly specific Mountain mode causes the range extender to kick in earlier and more frequently, helping to prevent draining the batteries when traversing steep mountains. In addition to the different drive programs, there is also a mode chosen via the drive selector lever that increases the amount of regenerative braking, maximizing efficiency and minimizing brake use in stop-and-go situations.
Electric Vehicle:
The hardware begins with a T-shaped lithium ion battery pack running the length of the vehicle’s centre tunnel and rear seats that provides power to a 120kW electric motor. The motor is connected to the front wheels through a single-speed transmission and handles all of the vehicle’s motivational duties. Running in electric vehicle (EV) mode, the Volt has an estimated optimal range of 40 miles. Tucked under the Volt’s hood is a 1.4-liter gasoline engine. This engine integrates a generator, producing juice to keep the Volt’s batteries trickle-charged in extended range (ER) mode when trips exceed the vehicle’s 40-mile EV range. This gasoline engine is not mechanically connected to the drive wheels or transmission, only the electric motor is. So don’t go calling the Volt a hybrid around GM’s people. The preferred term is extended range electric vehicle, or EREV.
iPod-inspired Interior:
The Volt’s LCD displays sprung to life and we got our first look at the interface. At the top of the centre stack is a colour touch panel that gives you control over the infotainment systems and climate controls, and it displays detailed information about the Volt’s electric power train, charge state, and historical fuel economy. Below the touch screen is a bank of capacitive touch sensors that bring up functions such as hard-drive media storage, XM Satellite Radio, or navigation. In the center of this bank is a pair of knobs for tuning and volume, and the Volt’s CD slot.The Volt’s glossy white is inspired by the Apple iPod. Chevrolet will also make available a dark black finish.
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is scheduled to hit showroom floors around November 2010. No word on pricing yet.
Tags: chevrolet, chevrolet volt, cylinder engine, default state, electric vehicle, gasoline engine, golf cart, lithium ion battery, optimal range, power train, production model, range extender, regenerative braking, single speed, speed transmission, sport mode, tesla roadster
nothing new in these new jenerations of cars but more elecreic and more computronix.