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Opel Flextreme is not for Production: Chevy Volt will be a Global Vehicle

December 18th, 2007 | Posted in: E-Flex, E-REV, GM Q and A, Opel, Original GM-Volt Interviews, Production

oplflx.jpg

At the Frankfurt Auto show in September, GM unveiled the Opel Flextreme; an E-Flex concept car illustrating the possibility of using a diesel generator as a range-extender. Lost in the initial enthusiasm were comments we had here from Tony Posawatz in which he acknowledged the Flextreme was not production intent.

Here is vehicle line director of Chevy Volt/E-Flex Frank Weber’s most recent response to the following question:
Is the Opel Flextreme production intent, and if not what are your international plans for the Volt?

First of all, the Volt is a global product. So we are currently designing Volts for worldwide application. What we did with the Flextreme actually, is we wanted to show the bandwidth of what the propulsion architecture and the vehicle architecture is able to deliver. And what we said because the Volt was a rather sporty concept with not too much versatility, we wanted to show conceptually how a versatile concept could look like. So this was more for us to demonstrate the bandwidth of the vehicle and propulsion architecture. When it comes to final roll-out globally we have always said that the Volt is the lead application, and we have not finalized the complete portfolio, and how and when we are going to roll out each vehicle. There is still time to do that because we are designing in all the requirements for a global rollout.

It is my understanding that GM plans to roll out the Volt in North America (U.S. and Canada) in 2010. From there, next stop will be Europe, and after that China. As per Bob Lutz, the Volt is being designed in both left and right driver side versions.

So I’m sorry to say you won’t be seeing a Flextreme any time soon, but hey at least we’ll all get our Volts!

Posted by: Lyle

42 Responses to “Opel Flextreme is not for Production: Chevy Volt will be a Global Vehicle”


  1. domenick
    Vote -1 Vote +1domenick     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 7:03 am

    That’s disappointing. I think most people were under th e impression the Volt was for the North American market and the Flextreme (horrible name) would be for the European market.
    Hopefully, some other carmaker will pick up the EVRx slack.  

    (Quote)


  2. Jean-Charles Jacquemin
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jean-Charles Jacquemin     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 7:30 am

    Thanks Lyle but this is not what Carl Peter Forster said in July in ‘Auto, Moto und Sport ‘, here : http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/wirtschaft_-_handel/hxcms_article_505519_14140.hbs

    “Wie sehen hier die Details aus?
    Forster: Auf der IAA im September werden Sie ein Opel-Modell mit einem E-Flex-Aggregat sehen, wie wir es im Januar beim Chevrolet Volt-Konzeptfahrzeug vorgestellt haben. Dieser alternative Antrieb ist weniger komplex als ein Hybrid und wird ultimativ gesehen sicher auch günstiger sein.

    Was heißt “ultimativ gesehen”?
    Forster: Sobald wir in die Massenproduktion gehen können, um die Fixkosten zu drücken. Ich denke, dank der globalen Synergien im GM-Konzern können wir schon Ende 2010 so weit sein – auch für einen Einsatz in Europa bei Opel. Das schöne daran ist, dass wir hier im Gegensatz zum Hybrid bei einer Reichweite von 60 Kilomentern absolut keine fossilen Brennstoffe mehr verbrennen müssen, sondern auf regenerativ erzeugten Strom zurückgreifen können.”

    In summary, CPF was announcing an Opel EV for the end of 2010 with the same characteristics of the Volt and based on the Flextreme.

    This is disappointing, but as you say, we shall have the Volt and time will tell …  

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  3. Jim I
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jim I     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 8:09 am

    I still think that once the Volt is in production, and is as successful as we all think it will be, many other vehicle designs will be quickly introduced.

    And I am sure the other manufacturers will be quick to market with their designs as well.  

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  4. kent beuchert
    Vote -1 Vote +1kent beuchert     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 8:12 am

    Notice what he said : “There is still time ..” to produce more vehicles for the E-Flex portfolio. It would be insane to assume that GM is going to limit, even for a short time, this very exciting architecture to simply one vehicle. All of the heavy lifting involved in getting the Volt to market involves, obviously, all that’s new with the architecture (HVAC, propulsion system, range extender operation, etc.). Once that’s nailed down, spinning off variants becomes pretty blase.
    I still believe there is a very good chance that Saturn will show off its version come January at Detroit’s Auto Show. Hopefully, they will provide a timeline. My guess is that a small SUV or crossover is the next logical variant – that type would seem to
    be a more perfect match between function and usage.  

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  5. Joseph Martin
    Vote -1 Vote +1Joseph Martin     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 9:26 am

    It’s very possible that the finalized Volt design will take on elements from both the concept Volt and Flextreme designs. I would think that the overall shape of the Volt may look more like the Flextreme due to (as it appears to me) the better aerodynamics of the vehicle.  

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  6. nasaman
    Vote -1 Vote +1nasaman     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 9:51 am

    I LOVE the Flextreme’s innovative styling treatment of the headlight/ running/ parking/ turn-signal enclosures!!! (Their distinctive, handsome look is almost nice enough to let me overlook its wimpy, fake-looking grill).

    Also, the Flextreme front end is CLEARLY more aerodynamic than the original Volt’s. And with a little more work and a lot more inspiration, Volt’s stylists could take cues from the Flextreme’s distinctive front end styling, INCLUDING its lightning bolt insignia …NO BowTie, please, GM!

    Anyone else agree?  

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  7. butters
    Vote -1 Vote +1butters     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 9:52 am

    Shame. That’s a nice aero shape. Good-looking, too, minus the headlights and the widow’s peak.

    @Kent 4: Yes, a small crossover would do well if its interior is significantly more spacious and/or versatile than the compact hatchback (Volt). But they should also do a two-seat sports car in the $50-65K range, perhaps on the Corvette chassis. I know, this would probably kill Tesla, but the electric sports car is an excellent fit and a great evangelist for electric drive. It’s also an opportunity to put more advanced battery packs out in the field before they hit the price points required for the volume segments.

    The family sedan is a much tougher nut to crack. The midsize parallel hybrids haven’t done well because they don’t get the same kind of mileage as the compacts. People seem to expect at least 40mpg from a hybrid unless it’s an SUV. The Accord hybrid is discontinued, and the Camry hybrid gets about the same mileage as the Escape hybrid SUV. Many are finding that the Prius isn’t entirely too small to be a family car, mostly because of the hatchback design.

    Do we have enough information to make a preliminary judgment about the relative passenger and cargo space between the Volt and Prius?  

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  8. Abattoir
    Vote -1 Vote +1Abattoir     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 9:54 am

    I’m very encouraged by repeated plans to introduce this car in both US and Canadian markets simultaneously. I still have worries about bringing the Volt up here. How will the battery hold up in -20 weather when parked outside at the office all day? How will it handle when driving on snow-covered roads? Will they face any difficulties from the slow-to-change Transport Canada? (I can just picture them trying to adapt their regulations to something which doesn’t fit the mold)

    That said, GM has a lot of experience with Canada and Canadian winters, and it is reassuring that they are targeting a simultaneous US/Canada launch.  

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  9. Dave B
    Vote -1 Vote +1Dave B     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 10:30 am

    So am I to understand that a Volt range extender powered by diesel will be available in Europe? If so, that’s a plus in my book.  

    (Quote)


  10. Jean-Charles Jacquemin
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jean-Charles Jacquemin     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 11:12 am

    To all of us, this is the answer to a question I asked on the GMEurope social newsroom about news on the Opel flextreme: here : http://www.gmeurope.info/social_media_newsroom/index.php?url=archives/294-Chevrolet-Volt-development-moves-forward-with-focus-on-aerodynamics.html&serendipitycsuccess=true#feedback

    “# Keith Childs, GM Europe says:
    #1.1 2007-12-14 18:17 (Reply)

    As a rule we don’t discuss future product programs too much in advance for competitive reasons, but when there is news about the Opel Flextreme you’ll certainly first read about it here and on our media sites. As for the Chevrolet Volt what we can say is that the underlying E-Flex propulsion system can be used in Europe. It’s flexible and can drive an Opel or a Chevrolet vehicle. What we can’t announce yet is on what vehicle and when.

    Keith Childs, GM Europe”

    To Dave B, it goes in your direction. And yes it’s a plus in our book.  

    (Quote)


  11. butters
    Vote -1 Vote +1butters     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 11:13 am

    @Abattoir 8: Lithium-ion batteries can typically discharge efficiently down to -4F and with reduced power down to -22F. The advanced manganese and/or iron phosphate chemistries to be used in the Volt MAY be able to discharge at reduced power down to -40F. This matches nickel-cadmium, the most rugged common battery type at low temperatures.

    The more pressing limitation is that although lithium-ion batteries can theoretically charge below 32F, this causes lithium metal to accumulate on the anode, permanently increasing the chance of thermal runaway and “venting with flame”. Quality chargers will refuse to operate below 32F. Neither NiCd nor NiMH can accept a charge below freezing. Some lead-acid batteries can, but at reduced performance, and besides, this chemistry isn’t suitable for mainstream EV applications.

    There are specialized lithium-ion cells with a low-viscosity electrolyte designed for low-temperature charging in military and aerospace applications. These batteries have lower energy density, lower power capacity, shorter cycle life, and significantly higher price.

    Unless GM has some tricks up their sleeves, there will need to be a heater (in addition to the cooler) powered from the AC outlet that keeps the pack above freezing while charging. In most parts of America (let alone Canada), garages drop below freezing on winter nights at least occasionally. It was 26F last night where I live in Austin, TX (not known for its cold weather), and that’s not too unusual for this time of year.  

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  12. Jean-Charles Jacquemin
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jean-Charles Jacquemin     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 11:16 am

    To nasaman #6,

    I completely agree with you. Being an Opel customer I may attest that they are not only good looking but also very efficient and practical cars.  

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  13. Guy Incognito
    Vote -1 Vote +1Guy Incognito     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 11:18 am

    Whether they produce it or not, its cool looking.
    It looks like something right out of Star Trek.  

    (Quote)


  14. noel park
    Vote -1 Vote +1noel park     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 11:28 am

    nasaman, #6:

    I agree with 99.9% of what you say here BUT, I have to have my bowtie!  

    (Quote)


  15. Neil
    Vote -1 Vote +1Neil     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 11:37 am

    Pity, I like the styling of this car even more than what I’ve seen of the Volt so far. (I’ll probably like that better after it comes out of the wind tunnel).  

    (Quote)


  16. Brian M
    Vote -1 Vote +1Brian M     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 11:57 am

    Am I the only one who thinks the FlexTreme is ugly as sin? It looks like red-headed stepchild of a Prius and a minivan.

    p.s. I agree with Noel – the bowtie stays. The Volt should not be ashamed to be a Chevy.  

    (Quote)


  17. Scott H
    Vote -1 Vote +1Scott H     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 12:50 pm

    Yep, keep the bowtie.  

    (Quote)


  18. Luke
    Vote -1 Vote +1Luke     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 1:14 pm

    So, maybe they’ll bring a more wagon-like form-factor to the USA? That would be perfect for my needs.

    An e-flex wagon with a biodisel-powered range-extender…. :-) ~ I wasn’t going to ask, since the Volt itself is such a big step that I didn’t feel like I didn’t want to ask for more… But it’s hard to imagine that they’re not going to produce a club-car for European families eventually, so maybe “world wide” means world-wide — I can get Volt in a wagon-like form-factor? Yay for speculation and going out on a limb!  

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  19. OhmExcited
    Vote -1 Vote +1OhmExcited     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 1:15 pm

    This video shows more of the concept:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=kMv-DOznBe8

    An interesting thing is the use of a UV laser projected onto a transparent surface. It can show full video, is apparently cheap to produce, and is pretty cool looking to boot.

    The company that makes it is SuperImaging:

    http://www.superimaging.com/technology_dlp.html

    http://www.superimaging.com/news/news_070110.html

    On the Flextreme concept, it looks like they are using that technology on a whole row under the windshield, and can be used to show rear images from a camera for example. If this is software based and upgradeable over time like downloading the latest operating system for your xbox, that would be a radical shift.  

    (Quote)


  20. nasaman
    Vote -1 Vote +1nasaman     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 1:18 pm

    Noel #14 & Brian #16 re: the Chevy BowTie:

    Hey guys, its NOT that I dislike the BowTie OR the fact the Volt is a Chevy. When the Camaro underwent a major redesign for ‘82, I bought one …a gorgeous metallic charcoal Z-28 that I LOVED!!! One reason I liked it so much was the tremendous curiosity & intrigue GM stirred up (perhaps unwittingly) for this very distinctive design’s 1st model year by NOT using the BowTie or the words Chevy or Chevrolet anywhere, inside or out. At the car wash, people often asked me, “What IS that, a new Italian car?!?” It helped cause a marketing sensation that in turn helped that model Z-28 be selected as the first car to be driven by ALL IROC drivers, and I believe its intrigue also helped make it an automatic choice as the Indy 500 pace car that same year.

    How ’bout a compromise? Use ONLY a bright gold lightning bolt for the Volt’s 1st model year. After that, add the BowTie with a bold, highly-visible lightning bolt nestled inside it!

    [GM stylists: check my '82 Camaro story with the old timers at Chevy.]  

    (Quote)


  21. OhmExcited
    Vote -1 Vote +1OhmExcited     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 1:38 pm

    In other news, Nanosolar is online now:

    http://www.news.com/greentech/8301-11128_3-9835241-54.html?tag=nefd.top

    At $1 per watt, a $1000 charging system could recharge the 8kW∙hr portion of your battery during the day in 8 hours. Change is a comin’ folks…  

    (Quote)


  22. Tom
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tom     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm

    butters, #11:

    I don’t know if the battery packs under consideration for the Volt have similar properties, but do a search for Altair Nano’s NanoSafe li-ion packs. Their literature says they’ve basically got the low (and high) temperature issues licked, as well as thermal runaway. IIRC, they can charge and discharge with 80-90% efficiency at -40 degrees.

    Also, re: your #7 post:

    I think the Volt drivetrain should be much more successful than hybrids for family sedans. Even if it uses twice as much electricity, that still means 20 all-electric miles, whereas so far hybrids have gotten zero all-electric miles. So the difference is night and day.  

    (Quote)


  23. Estero
    Vote -1 Vote +1Estero     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 2:52 pm

    What the heck is the bowtie?  

    (Quote)


  24. Brian M
    Vote -1 Vote +1Brian M     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 2:55 pm

  25. noel park
    Vote -1 Vote +1noel park     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 3:26 pm

    Estero, #22:

    It is the traditional Chevrolet emblem on the grille or front of the hood of the car.

    Our 1917 Chevrolet has a blue “bowtie” on the radiator shell with “Chevrolet” lettered in white. I think that it goes all the way back to the first Chevrolet in 1911 or so. So there is a great tradition involved.

    Our family owns a business offering service and parts support for older Chevrolet vehicles. As such, we only drive Chevrolets. So it is a vitally important issue for us, as we really want to support GM as it seeks to regain the technological high ground.  

    (Quote)


  26. lkruijsw
    Vote -1 Vote +1lkruijsw     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 3:46 pm

    The Volt in Europe! That is great news! Then I don’t have to search for a 110V-230V adaptor with matching color.  

    (Quote)


  27. Estero
    Vote -1 Vote +1Estero     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 4:46 pm

    Thanks noel #23.

    I’ve owned many Chevrolets over the years but had never heard the emblem referred to as a “bowtie” prior to this website. I felt a little stupid asking the question but finally came to the conclusion that there might be others who are uncertain by the term. Thanks again!

    Now, I can say — keep the bowtie!  

    (Quote)


  28. noel park
    Vote -1 Vote +1noel park     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 5:08 pm

    Estero, #25:

    Well it’s just sort of a slang term which grew up from somewhere, so please don’t feel even a tiny bit stupid. I just couldn’t resist taking issue with our good friend nasaman. Thanks for clarifying the question for fellow bloggers.

    Many thanks for your support, and for that of all of you, on this emotional issue. I always hope that GM in general (no pun intended), and Chevrolet in particular, will find better ways to take advantage of their fantastic history and heritage.  

    (Quote)


  29. nasaman
    Vote -1 Vote +1nasaman     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 5:30 pm

    Noel & Estero, here’s what “Dr. Google” said:

    The Chevrolet Bowtie has been one of the World’s most recognized trademarks since 1913, when William C. Durant first introduced the symbol that represents Chevrolet’s winning success!
    We have all heard the legend how Durant copied the bowtie design from the wallpaper in a Paris Hotel. The 50 Year Anniversary issue of The Chevrolet Story, printed in 1961, and reprinted in part in the October 1986 G&D, told the story this way:
    “This was also the year (1913) that the famous Chevrolet trademark was first used on the cars. The distinctive trademark has appeared billions of times on products, advertisings and sales literature as the mark of dependability, economy and quality in motor transportation. It originated
    in Durant’s imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car.”

    [From http://home.earthlink.net/~scrippsbooth/chevbowtiehistory.html  

    (Quote)


  30. ChargedUp
    Vote -1 Vote +1ChargedUp     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 6:07 pm

    More competition.

    On MSN Autos there was a story about another contender in the EV market.
    http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=440939

    GM better get going!  

    (Quote)


  31. nasaman
    Vote -1 Vote +1nasaman     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 6:59 pm

    [quote comment="20429"]More competition.

    On MSN Autos there was a story about another contender in the EV market.
    http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=440939

    GM better get going![/quote]
    Thanks for that very interesting link! My guess is that Larry the cable guy would say to GM, “Git er dun!!!” :)   

    (Quote)


  32. AES
    Vote -1 Vote +1AES     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 7:25 pm

    re:the MSN autos link – I’d save your money for a Volt.

    Hybrid Technologies hasn’t done much to impress me – they use lithium polymer batteries from Kokam, which perform very poorly in cold weather. Case in point – the electric taxis that Hybrid Tech put into service in NYC:

    http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/07/16/electric-pt-cruiser-couldnt-cut-it-as-ny-taxi

    So it seems like they haven’t done much in the way of thermal management, in addition to using inferior battery technology to start with. Still a long way off from the work being pioneered by Tesla and GM.  

    (Quote)


  33. Abattoir
    Vote -1 Vote +1Abattoir     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 8:52 pm

    butters:
    Thanks very much for the details. I wasn’t clear on the temperature characteristics of the Li-ion chemistry, and you raise an excellent restriction I hadn’t thought of – temperature requirements during charging.

    The 32F (0C) requirement will be a consideration by GM, as most people do not have heated garages, and we go literally months here without the temperature getting that high. I imagine there will have to be some heating capability within the battery charging components to handle this requirement. I imagine it won’t be as inefficient as it sounded at first, as the energy lost when charging the battery will only help here by heating the battery pack.

    Also, the battery should heat itself during discharge to some degree, so as long as the battery is capable of discharging enough energy to warm itself up on those really cold nights (I’m thinking a mandatory warm-up period before the car will move) then this is merely a design problem, not a fundamental limitation of the technology. All in all, good news!  

    (Quote)


  34. Estero
    Vote -1 Vote +1Estero     Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 10:03 pm

    Nasaman #25.

    Thanks for the information. It is quite interesting how the “bowtie” emblem came about. Perhaps I should have paid more attention in history classes.  

    (Quote)


  35. james
    Vote -1 Vote +1james     Says:
    December 19th, 2007 at 12:43 am

    ohm 21. nano solar! now that’s what i’m talking about!
    we’ll be driving around for “free” in our chevy volts (or tesla’s if they get ‘em off the ground and have that kinda cash, lol)…definitely kicks ass.  

    (Quote)


  36. bruce g
    Vote -1 Vote +1bruce g     Says:
    December 19th, 2007 at 2:58 am

    Now,
    Have we agreed to a Opel styling with a Chevy bow tie to be deployed globally?
    Sounds good to me!  

    (Quote)


  37. Jim I
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jim I     Says:
    December 19th, 2007 at 7:25 am

    ChargedUp #30:

    Even if the performance, warranty, and service availability was there, you take my $35K Crossfire and put another $35K into the conversion. That is just way too expensive…………

    bruce g #36:

    No Way!!! If that is what the final design Volt looks like, take my name off the waiting list!!

    Please do not forget that the Gen-1 Volt is being designed as a commuter vehicle. Let them get that model out and functional. Then they can take that new design studio and work on all the other models that are desired!  

    (Quote)


  38. Jean-Charles Jacquemin
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jean-Charles Jacquemin     Says:
    December 19th, 2007 at 10:10 am

    More news from Keith. I asked why we didn’t get news on the Flextreme development in Europe the same way as GM does for the Volt in the USA. His answer is here and more positive, perhaps shall we get an E-Opel be the Flextreme or not :

    # Keith Childs, GM Europe says:
    #1.1.1.1 2007-12-19 11:39 (Reply)

    A firm production date can’t be announced, but rest assured, as soon as we know how fast lithium ion batteries for automobiles can be developed, you’ll be among the first to find out when we’ll put a vehicle on the road. In the meantime, stay tuned.”  

    (Quote)


  39. Suman
    Vote -1 Vote +1Suman     Says:
    December 19th, 2007 at 11:13 am

    According to a recent autoblog article, GM will display a “Saturn Flextreme” at the ‘08 Detroit auto show (among other vehicles), which contradicts this thread’s title. I guess we’ll have to wait until January to find out…
    http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/detroit-08-preview-saab-9-4x-could-make-an-appearance-at-cobo/  

    (Quote)


  40. Lyle
    Vote -1 Vote +1Lyle     Says:
    December 19th, 2007 at 1:05 pm

    Susman
    Concepts don’t always mean production intent.  

    (Quote)


  41. Ray
    Vote -1 Vote +1Ray     Says:
    December 30th, 2008 at 11:10 am

    I agree with nasaman! get rid of that gawd awful, ugly a*s gold bowtie….and stop putting those tacky little GM stickers on the vehicles. The new Chevy emblem should look more like Opel’s…a SMALL chrome bowtie badge with a circle around it…..maybe?  

    (Quote)


  42. Digger
    Vote -1 Vote +1Digger     Says:
    March 29th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    Yes, the bowtie is a recognizable item. It is a well-known symbol for crappy cars. Bowtie=Chevy=Junk

    If the Volt is to be a success, the bowtie needs to go. Any reference to Chevrolet should also be eliminated. Otherwise the car’s market will be limited to the choir – the same group of people who like Chevrolets and think they are good.

    Unfortunately, this group is not very big anymore. The bowtie and Chevy have become to symbolize junk to the majority of educated people in this country. Drive into any major city (except Detroit) and see how many Chevys are the family car. Most of these people won’t even consider buying a Chevy.

    The bowtie on this car is like an instant JUNK label that infects its entire image.

    Ah, who am I kidding — it’ll be junk with or without the bowtie. At least nobody will get fooled if it is left on…  

    (Quote)

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