Comments on: What Will the Chevy Volt Sound Like? http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:55:54 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Owners' Stories - Tesla Motors Club Forum http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-105213 Owners' Stories - Tesla Motors Club Forum Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:50:19 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-105213 [...] noise through your car stereo drive blog: Should an electric car have an artificial soundtrack? What Will the Chevy Volt Sound Like? | GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site Lotus fits speakers to electric cars to put the 'vroom' back into silent engines | Mail Online I [...] [...] noise through your car stereo drive blog: Should an electric car have an artificial soundtrack? What Will the Chevy Volt Sound Like? | GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site Lotus fits speakers to electric cars to put the ‘vroom’ back into silent engines | Mail Online I [...]

]]> By: Rashiid Amul http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-9892 Rashiid Amul Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:03:55 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-9892 Why not just cure blindness and keep the cars quiet? This would be a better choice for everyone. Why not just cure blindness and keep the cars quiet? This would be a better choice for everyone.

]]> By: Jim http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-9556 Jim Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:16:20 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-9556 Ok, I guess I have to take a step back from my previous post. Apparently, blind people really are having issues with the lack of noise from hybrids. http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/blind-people-hybrid-cars-pose-hazard/n20071003012309990002 Ok, I guess I have to take a step back from my previous post. Apparently, blind people really are having issues with the lack of noise from hybrids.

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/blind-people-hybrid-cars-pose-hazard/n20071003012309990002

]]> By: LabRat http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-9375 LabRat Tue, 02 Oct 2007 01:54:41 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-9375 Timely article. In fact the SAE HEV Technical Committee just started looking into minimum noise levels for vehicles. The National Federation of the Blind had a compelling pitch. We must face the fact that EVs may have to make noise. (As long as its more pleasing then the 'bird chirps' at intersections) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7555520 Noisier cars may save some injuries/lives in the long run. Timely article. In fact the SAE HEV Technical Committee just started looking into minimum noise levels for vehicles. The National Federation of the Blind had a compelling pitch. We must face the fact that EVs may have to make noise. (As long as its more pleasing then the ‘bird chirps’ at intersections)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7555520

Noisier cars may save some injuries/lives in the long run.

]]> By: ug http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8884 ug Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:22:50 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8884 "Now, I do not agree the vehicle should be made to act like a normal gas vehicle, but something needs to be added so pedestrians can hear something at lower speeds." It's called a HORN. You know people put bells on their bikes for a similar reason. Going round a blind curve? Beep your horn. “Now, I do not agree the vehicle should be made to act like a normal gas vehicle, but something needs to be added so pedestrians can hear something at lower speeds.”

It’s called a HORN.

You know people put bells on their bikes for a similar reason. Going round a blind curve? Beep your horn.

]]> By: AES http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8873 AES Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:34:15 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8873 "And a reminder: previous news releases here have indicated that the range-extender will be VARIABLE rpm, not constant. The reason I asked about the turbocharger is because the lowest rpm that the turbocharger works at will probably function as the output floor. So even if the car is stopped, but is being charged, the engine wouldn’t go below that rpm." The only situation in which I see the engine going below ~3000 rpm is during start/stop. Only situation I see it going above that nominal speed is if the driver is draining the battery so quickly the genset can't keep up - e.g. if the car is being driven at 100mph down the highway. “And a reminder: previous news releases here have indicated that the range-extender will be VARIABLE rpm, not constant. The reason I asked about the turbocharger is because the lowest rpm that the turbocharger works at will probably function as the output floor. So even if the car is stopped, but is being charged, the engine wouldn’t go below that rpm.”

The only situation in which I see the engine going below ~3000 rpm is during start/stop. Only situation I see it going above that nominal speed is if the driver is draining the battery so quickly the genset can’t keep up – e.g. if the car is being driven at 100mph down the highway.

]]> By: noel park http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8852 noel park Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:02:21 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8852 AES: I agree. It is a non-issue. Next case. Lyle: 52 comments? You are doing great. That's more that "Fastlane" gets on most posts - sorry Bob. And as to FYI, it speaks for itself. Well done! AES:

I agree. It is a non-issue. Next case.

Lyle:

52 comments? You are doing great. That’s more that “Fastlane” gets on most posts – sorry Bob. And as to FYI, it speaks for itself.

Well done!

]]> By: AES http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8832 AES Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:02:02 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8832 "Will the driver be shocked when the ICE kicks in?" I highly doubt it. The ICE will almost definitely not start using a conventional starter motor. Perhaps it will use the generator itself to start, similar to what GM already employs with its belt-alternator-starter (BAS) mild hybrids. That system allows for large ICE's to start/stop very very smoothly, so I see no reason why there would be a significant shock when the system kicks in. In summary, based on this and the other points I've mentioned about maintaining efficiency, I think this whole thing is a non-issue. “Will the driver be shocked when the ICE kicks in?”

I highly doubt it. The ICE will almost definitely not start using a conventional starter motor. Perhaps it will use the generator itself to start, similar to what GM already employs with its belt-alternator-starter (BAS) mild hybrids. That system allows for large ICE’s to start/stop very very smoothly, so I see no reason why there would be a significant shock when the system kicks in.

In summary, based on this and the other points I’ve mentioned about maintaining efficiency, I think this whole thing is a non-issue.

]]> By: noel park http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8831 noel park Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:47:53 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8831 Why didn't I think of it??? Just do it LA style. Roll down the windows and play rap or nortenos as loud as the stereo will go. Actually, that gives me a great idea for a sure fire new option. Mount external speakers on the car so that we can annoy our neighbors and warn pedestrians without having to turn up the sound inside until the woofers rattle and buzz. Maybe they could do double duty and switch over to GET THE @#$%^& OUT OF THE WAY, per the brilliant suggestion of Marty McFly. Why didn’t I think of it???

Just do it LA style. Roll down the windows and play rap or nortenos as loud as the stereo will go.

Actually, that gives me a great idea for a sure fire new option. Mount external speakers on the car so that we can annoy our neighbors and warn pedestrians without having to turn up the sound inside until the woofers rattle and buzz.

Maybe they could do double duty and switch over to GET THE @#$%^& OUT OF THE WAY, per the brilliant suggestion of Marty McFly.

]]> By: Luke http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8829 Luke Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:40:58 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/09/25/what-will-the-chevy-volt-sound-like/#comment-8829 One thing that bothers me about the discussion about whether the Volt's generator-noise should vary with the speed, rather than with the electrical demand (or not at all), is the question of whether the Volt should try to be everything to everyone one. GM already tried that, and the result was the SUV. It can do anything, but it is optimized for nothing; I don't want one. If someone wants a Buick, or traditional car/truck/SUV, then GM should try to sell them that. The Volt is a new class of machine. The Volt should be optimized for what it is - an electric car suitable for commuting, grocery runs, and the occasional road-trip. No faking. No bloat. A daily-driver. With good engineering, that is accessible to the owner on many and all levels. If the Volt is that car, then my kind will be drawn to it like moths to a bug-zapper. ;-) And, yes, maybe I'll own another vehicle (probably a compact pickup truck) that is optimized for other purposes. P.S. If you want to know what I mean by "accessible", refer to the following: 1. The guy who wants to download performance data to the ipod. 2. My comments about interacting with the onboard diagnostic system. 3. PriUPS backup household generator: http://www.priups.com/riddle/answer-1.htm 4. Prius as a comfortable, efficient, air conditioned mobile HAM radio station: http://wa8lmf.net/mobile/prius/index.htm That guy can pull power from his drive battery all night for the Prius's air conditioning, and to power his radio station -- without draining his gas tank or wearing out his engine. One thing that bothers me about the discussion about whether the Volt’s generator-noise should vary with the speed, rather than with the electrical demand (or not at all), is the question of whether the Volt should try to be everything to everyone one. GM already tried that, and the result was the SUV. It can do anything, but it is optimized for nothing; I don’t want one. If someone wants a Buick, or traditional car/truck/SUV, then GM should try to sell them that. The Volt is a new class of machine.

The Volt should be optimized for what it is – an electric car suitable for commuting, grocery runs, and the occasional road-trip. No faking. No bloat. A daily-driver. With good engineering, that is accessible to the owner on many and all levels.

If the Volt is that car, then my kind will be drawn to it like moths to a bug-zapper. ;-) And, yes, maybe I’ll own another vehicle (probably a compact pickup truck) that is optimized for other purposes.

P.S. If you want to know what I mean by “accessible”, refer to the following:
1. The guy who wants to download performance data to the ipod.
2. My comments about interacting with the onboard diagnostic system.
3. PriUPS backup household generator: http://www.priups.com/riddle/answer-1.htm
4. Prius as a comfortable, efficient, air conditioned mobile HAM radio station:
http://wa8lmf.net/mobile/prius/index.htm
That guy can pull power from his drive battery all night for the Prius’s air conditioning, and to power his radio station — without draining his gas tank or wearing out his engine.

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