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More on the Opel E-Flex Concept

August 30th, 2007 | Posted in: Opel

eflex-opel.jpg

Frank Weber, GM chief engineer has made some comments about the E-Flex Opel concept car set to debut in Frankfurt in 2 weeks.

Keep in mind the car is essentially the same vehicle as the Volt except for using a different range extender

For one thing Mr. Weber tell’s us is the car is Astra-sized, and as we expect, the range extending engine will be diesel-powered.  He says of the car, that full recharge time is 3 hours (can this be correct??), and “This has extremely high torque characteristics,” and, “similar to what you would get from a V6 engine, and it is available from zero revs.”   The latter comment reflicting the characteristics of electric motors.

He also makes the following comments:

“We have to see how the battery performs in very hot and very cold conditions and what sort of drain is put on it by other systems such as heating and air conditioning, audio systems, lights and windscreen wipers.”

and

“But we are not looking at this essentially as a long distance vehicle. This is for people with daily and relatively short commutes although there is the ability to go longer distances when necessary.”

Benoit Schlumberger, GM product planning director for global compact vehicles, said: “Obviously there is a lot of development cost and there will be a price premium on these vehicles, but we are expecting to sell a large number in China, for example. The environmental challenge there is greater than most other areas of the world but it is where interest in the E-Flex system is developing fastest.”

Hey how about that, E-Flex’s in China.

Source [AUTO INDUSTRY]

Posted by: Lyle

12 Responses to “More on the Opel E-Flex Concept”


  1. Estero
    Vote -1 Vote +1Estero     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 1:12 pm

    Good information. Thanks Lyle.  

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  2. Estero
    Vote -1 Vote +1Estero     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 1:24 pm

    Frank Weber’s comment is very interesting — “But we are not looking at this essentially as a long distance vehicle. This is for people with daily and relatively short commutes although there is the ability to go longer distances when necessary.”

    Once the Volt gets into the hands of the consumer, it is likely to be driven on more long distance drives than GM might expect because of the price of gas.

    Take me for example. 95% of all my driving is within a range of 40 miles. But, we are retired and take a couple long trips each year. If comes down to a choice between driving a Volt that gets the equivalent of 50 mph or our other car that might get 25 mph, guess which one is going on that long trip.  

    (Quote)


  3. RE-EV
    Vote -1 Vote +1RE-EV     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 2:04 pm

    I would guess this vehicle will have 1/2 the Volt’s battery w/ 1/2 the battery range and 1/2 the battery cost.  

    (Quote)


  4. kent beuchert
    Vote -1 Vote +1kent beuchert     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 2:59 pm

    I agree comletely with Estero’s comments. While it is true that maximum advantage is, of course, achieved when driven on less than 40 mile jaunts from the home, 50 MPG on the highway makes this a long range
    vehicle, in my book.  

    (Quote)


  5. Jack the R
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jack the R     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 3:29 pm

    How about we make that Chinese E-Flex a Buick Skylark, and bring it to the U.S. too? Let’s also use that extremely high torque to make it a G37 fighter. And put the electric motor on the back axle where it belongs.  

    (Quote)


  6. Henrik
    Vote -1 Vote +1Henrik     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 3:34 pm

    The recharge time might be correct because Opel probably counts with 230 Volt instead of 110 V.  

    (Quote)


  7. kent beuchert
    Vote -1 Vote +1kent beuchert     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 5:54 pm

    Although I’d never thought of it, Henrik is probably correct about the double voltage
    in Europe. Of course, I’m hoping GM will provide 220 Volt rechargers here for the VOLT. Hopefully they will allow the battery pack to accept 40 amps, but now I’m not so
    sure after hearing of their desire to keep the recharge rate relatively modest while using the range extender.  

    (Quote)


  8. Steve F
    Vote -1 Vote +1Steve F     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 7:40 pm

    Interesting thought about the largest demand for E-Flex is in China. A few days ago there was a statement about GM selling 60K of Volts the first year. Many question that number. I myself feels there will be big demand here in US to sell high numbers from the start. But the point of China and there demand that 60K the first year is not that hard to believe.

    Comment on the Europe Astra based E-flex. Just hope they offer both model here in US. We may still not get the diesel range extender but at least offer the different car body. Myself would pick the Astra based model over the original sport car body. The original looks great but not pratical with a family.  

    (Quote)


  9. Drake
    Vote -1 Vote +1Drake     Says:
    August 30th, 2007 at 10:37 pm

    The economies of China and India are developing rapidly. To continue this rapid development, they will require relatively cheap energy to power vehicles. China and India, however, do NOT have the military might to secure all of the oil they need now and in the future. Because of this, they are more willing to embrace alternative vehicular technology than the West is. In India, for example, I read about cars being used that are powered by on-board compressed air. These cars have to be incredibly light to be able to operate effectively, so they do not have roll bars and other safety features that are required in vehicles in Western nations. While the drivers may not drive in the safety that Western drivers enjoy, they are infact promoting the development of new technologies that could never exist in the West.

    Global prosperity and the free market are truely things of good. The more minds working on a problem, the quicker it will be resolved. If we can only get past our dependance on oil, the world will be such a better place.  

    (Quote)


  10. Jean-Charles Jacquemin
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jean-Charles Jacquemin     Says:
    August 31st, 2007 at 1:28 am

    Thanks Lyle, very good information.

    My Astra station-wagon (diesel-powered) will have 170.000 km (a little more than 100.000 miles) by the end of 2010, and will be five years old. I think that I already know the car that will replace it.  

    (Quote)


  11. Dave
    Vote -1 Vote +1Dave     Says:
    August 31st, 2007 at 5:48 am

    Steve F – I agree, I hope an E-FLex Astra makes it to the US. The Volt body isn’t the best for our family, especially our dog.

    Jean-Charles Jacquemin – I wish they sold the Astra station wagon in the U.S. As it is, the only real choice for station wagons is the Subaru Outback.  

    (Quote)


  12. Jean-Charles Jacquemin
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jean-Charles Jacquemin     Says:
    August 31st, 2007 at 6:13 am

    Dave – Its my second Astra station wagon, the first one is still in the streets of Namur Belgium. I just hope that Opel keeps the quality level of the E-Astra as high as it is for their ICE models.  

    (Quote)

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