Comments on: Is GM planning an E-Flex Cadillac? http://gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Thu, 24 May 2012 18:25:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Drake http://gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10457 Drake Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:01:41 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10457 E-Flex will eventually end up in all of GM's vehicles. ICE-only cars will become antiquated dinosaurs that our grandchildren laugh about. I can see the basic E-Flex designed hanging around for a good 100 years after it debutes in the Volt. It is such a radical departure from the old, outdated, and inefficent design that plagues all of today's vehicles- it truely is the next generation of technology for the automobile Industry. Whether they realize it or not, the people working on this project are changing the world. E-Flex will eventually end up in all of GM’s vehicles. ICE-only cars will become antiquated dinosaurs that our grandchildren laugh about. I can see the basic E-Flex designed hanging around for a good 100 years after it debutes in the Volt. It is such a radical departure from the old, outdated, and inefficent design that plagues all of today’s vehicles- it truely is the next generation of technology for the automobile Industry. Whether they realize it or not, the people working on this project are changing the world.

]]> By: OhmExcited http://gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10449 OhmExcited Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:26:06 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10449 There's no reason why the generalized e-flex architecture couldn't be expanded to Cadillac. And no reason why a hydrogen fuel cell couldn't be used -- the onboard generator would be used more in a larger vehicle, and fuel cells are quiet, a luxury value; fuel cells are also more expensive, and could be mass produced first for the Cadillac brand. There’s no reason why the generalized e-flex architecture couldn’t be expanded to Cadillac. And no reason why a hydrogen fuel cell couldn’t be used — the onboard generator would be used more in a larger vehicle, and fuel cells are quiet, a luxury value; fuel cells are also more expensive, and could be mass produced first for the Cadillac brand.

]]> By: Dave G http://gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10434 Dave G Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:52:46 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10434 Well, obviously they need to focus on the Volt first and get that right. But after that, I don't see any problem with a Cadillac E-Flex. I think the main attributes of Cadillac are comfort and status. With American speed limits, gobs of power has been more of a status symbol than anything useful. But I think this is starting to change. There's a new green kind of status starting to take hold. So in the end, a Cadillac E-Flex probably doesn't need gobs of power. Sure, a Cadillac E-Flex would need a little more power. This can be done with a bigger battery pack, electric motor and ICE. But I think the real difference will be an ultra-smooth, quiet, and responsive ride plus plenty of comfort/convenience extras. This will make it a Cadillac. Well, obviously they need to focus on the Volt first and get that right. But after that, I don’t see any problem with a Cadillac E-Flex. I think the main attributes of Cadillac are comfort and status.

With American speed limits, gobs of power has been more of a status symbol than anything useful. But I think this is starting to change. There’s a new green kind of status starting to take hold. So in the end, a Cadillac E-Flex probably doesn’t need gobs of power.

Sure, a Cadillac E-Flex would need a little more power. This can be done with a bigger battery pack, electric motor and ICE. But I think the real difference will be an ultra-smooth, quiet, and responsive ride plus plenty of comfort/convenience extras. This will make it a Cadillac.

]]> By: Jim http://gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10430 Jim Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:22:13 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10430 [quote comment="10423"]Jim if you want to cater to power then electric has more potential than ICE![/quote] It seems that in your excitement, you missed my point. I did not argue that Cadillac should never get E-Flex or that ICEs are better. From a marketing standpoint, Cadillac would probably sell more environmentally friendly cars if they were parallel hybrids. While I have your attention again, Buick has decided to make its main focus reliability, and kudos for their gains. The E-Flex would probably do well there after it has: 1. Proven to be be basically reliable 2. The ICE was replaced with either all electric or at least a diesel engine to stress reliability. (Not hydrogen or anything exotic, since the typical conservative Buick buyer would fear the safety.) [quote comment="10423"]Jim if you want to cater to power then electric has more potential than ICE![/quote]

It seems that in your excitement, you missed my point. I did not argue that Cadillac should never get E-Flex or that ICEs are better. From a marketing standpoint, Cadillac would probably sell more environmentally friendly cars if they were parallel hybrids.

While I have your attention again, Buick has decided to make its main focus reliability, and kudos for their gains. The E-Flex would probably do well there after it has:
1. Proven to be be basically reliable
2. The ICE was replaced with either all electric or at least a diesel engine to stress reliability. (Not hydrogen or anything exotic, since the typical conservative Buick buyer would fear the safety.)

]]> By: Scott http://gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10429 Scott Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:15:58 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/10/09/is-gm-planning-an-e-flex-cadillac/#comment-10429 I think that GM producing a Cadillac with the E-Flex would be a good thing. It would not require that much more effort to produce. The technology is the difficult part, not the implementing it in the car. Also, GM says that the E-Flex might initially loose money, but GM could charge more money for an E-Flex Cadillac than a $25k Chevy because people pay more for Cadillacs. That being said, I still want the Volt. I think that GM producing a Cadillac with the E-Flex would be a good thing. It would not require that much more effort to produce. The technology is the difficult part, not the implementing it in the car.

Also, GM says that the E-Flex might initially loose money, but GM could charge more money for an E-Flex Cadillac than a $25k Chevy because people pay more for Cadillacs.

That being said, I still want the Volt.

]]>