Comments on: Production Volt Exterior Design Photoshop Rendition http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Rich in Armada, MI http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-36169 Rich in Armada, MI Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:23:02 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-36169 The end of 2010 stinks as far as how long it takes to develop a vehicle like this, BUT being an engineer in the auto industry I also understand. This isn't just tweaking another internal combustion engine for more horsepower or mileage, this has the potential to wonderfully change automobiles of the future - a very welcome change. And let's face it, not many people going to dealerships 3+ years ago put gas mileage near the top of their list of "must haves", otherwise we'd probably still be paying only $2.25/gal at most. I just hope that GM is doing what they seem to be committed to, going for the home run on this concept rather than just dangling a carrot for people to hold out until gas prices go down a bit. Don't think for a minute that the oil industry isn't going to try and pop some more wells if they can keep vehicles like this from becoming more mainstream. The end of 2010 stinks as far as how long it takes to develop a vehicle like this, BUT being an engineer in the auto industry I also understand. This isn’t just tweaking another internal combustion engine for more horsepower or mileage, this has the potential to wonderfully change automobiles of the future – a very welcome change. And let’s face it, not many people going to dealerships 3+ years ago put gas mileage near the top of their list of “must haves”, otherwise we’d probably still be paying only $2.25/gal at most. I just hope that GM is doing what they seem to be committed to, going for the home run on this concept rather than just dangling a carrot for people to hold out until gas prices go down a bit. Don’t think for a minute that the oil industry isn’t going to try and pop some more wells if they can keep vehicles like this from becoming more mainstream.

]]> By: Tom http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-36123 Tom Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:51:34 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-36123 Who cares about the details of what it looks like -- all these articles about what it will look like is just hype trying to get people interested in a cool looking car. All I care about (and should care about) is performance and timing. I am currently getting 50MPG on my 2003 prius with 134,000 miles and would like to replace it but it looks like GM will probably be too late for me. Troubling that 5 years after the Prius, GM is still so far behind. Don't get me wrong, I want this car (if it works as promised); I just can't understand why they are so far behind the 8-ball. Who cares about the details of what it looks like — all these articles about what it will look like is just hype trying to get people interested in a cool looking car. All I care about (and should care about) is performance and timing. I am currently getting 50MPG on my 2003 prius with 134,000 miles and would like to replace it but it looks like GM will probably be too late for me. Troubling that 5 years after the Prius, GM is still so far behind. Don’t get me wrong, I want this car (if it works as promised); I just can’t understand why they are so far behind the 8-ball.

]]> By: Ted in Fort Myers http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-35859 Ted in Fort Myers Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:59:00 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-35859 I don't care as long as it is electric and can get me back and forth to work. 42 miles. My next vehicle will be electric. Chevy-VOLTTED I don’t care as long as it is electric and can get me back and forth to work. 42 miles. My next vehicle will be electric. Chevy-VOLTTED

]]> By: BillR http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-35833 BillR Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:52:10 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-35833 I think both models show some thought and study. I wish I could do something like this, but my skills aren't very good in this area. Following are comments from some of the published articles: "design changes that include lengthening the front overhang and slightly stretching out the rear spoiler" "the design is getting a combination of more rounded (front) and abrupt edges (rear). From what we could see -- given the duct tape camouflage on the 1/3 scale model in the wind tunnel and the tarps on the pair of design studio models, the production car will likely lose some of the pronounced, muscular wheel wells of the concept" "In the wind tunnel we learned that 90 percent of the drag on a car is the suction created by air swirling around the rear of the vehicle." The battery pushed the occupants outboard, or to the sides of the vehicle, so the design team had to get creative with the sections of the roof structure to enable aerodynamics and provide adequate head room. The interior will accommodate a 6-foot 2-inch (99 th percentile) male comfortably in the front and rear seats. “By having the battery in the middle, we were able to move the occupants apart and give them more space,” said Tim Greig, interior design manager for the Chevrolet Volt. “We also shrink-wrapped the interior, particularly the doors, for comfort and spaciousness. There is no wasted space. Just some suggestions for future renditions: 1) One article mentioned that the seats in the Volt were moved outward to provide room for the batteries in the center tunnel. Also, observers mentioned that the fender flares were all but gone. My guess is that the Volt is wider with minimal fender flares. Maybe the Cadillac CTS Coupe would provide a good model for the side profile http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/experience/news_ctscoupe.jsp?seo=goo_cts 2) The wheels in the model may be close to the final wheels. For aerodynamic reasons, these wheels typically are almost solid (see EV-1 pictures) http://avt.inl.gov/pdf/fsev/eva/ev1_eva.pdf 3) Another article discussed their "sneak peek" at the rear, provided by GM partially lifting the cover. It appears that the taillights and back end are similar to the concept. I think both models show some thought and study. I wish I could do something like this, but my skills aren’t very good in this area.

Following are comments from some of the published articles:

“design changes that include lengthening the front overhang and slightly stretching out the rear spoiler”

“the design is getting a combination of more rounded (front) and abrupt edges (rear). From what we could see — given the duct tape camouflage on the 1/3 scale model in the wind tunnel and the tarps on the pair of design studio models, the production car will likely lose some of the pronounced, muscular wheel wells of the concept”

“In the wind tunnel we learned that 90 percent of the drag on a car is the suction created by air swirling around the rear of the vehicle.”

The battery pushed the occupants outboard, or to the sides of the vehicle, so the design team had to get creative with the sections of the roof structure to enable aerodynamics and provide adequate head room. The interior will accommodate a 6-foot 2-inch (99 th percentile) male comfortably in the front and rear seats.

“By having the battery in the middle, we were able to move the occupants apart and give them more space,” said Tim Greig, interior design manager for the Chevrolet Volt. “We also shrink-wrapped the interior, particularly the doors, for comfort and spaciousness. There is no wasted space.

Just some suggestions for future renditions:

1) One article mentioned that the seats in the Volt were moved outward to provide room for the batteries in the center tunnel. Also, observers mentioned that the fender flares were all but gone. My guess is that the Volt is wider with minimal fender flares. Maybe the Cadillac CTS Coupe would provide a good model for the side profile

http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/experience/news_ctscoupe.jsp?seo=goo_cts

2) The wheels in the model may be close to the final wheels. For aerodynamic reasons, these wheels typically are almost solid (see EV-1 pictures)

http://avt.inl.gov/pdf/fsev/eva/ev1_eva.pdf

3) Another article discussed their “sneak peek” at the rear, provided by GM partially lifting the cover. It appears that the taillights and back end are similar to the concept.

]]> By: koz http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-35825 koz Sun, 06 Apr 2008 12:37:24 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-35825 Jeff M, It's a hatchback so you this isn't an issue. Jeff M,

It’s a hatchback so you this isn’t an issue.

]]> By: Rockyroad http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-35818 Rockyroad Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:32:07 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-35818 Safety issue. The tail and brake lights are too small, they need to be bigger. Safety issue.
The tail and brake lights are too small, they need to be bigger.

]]> By: MLRTYME http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-35814 MLRTYME Sun, 06 Apr 2008 06:49:25 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-35814 Hey Arch... You're not the only one concerned about that. However, hope springs eternal! Who knows...maybe we can fabricate a low-profile bracket assembly for the seat frame to rest on? :) Hey Arch…

You’re not the only one concerned about that. However, hope springs eternal! Who knows…maybe we can fabricate a low-profile bracket assembly for the seat frame to rest on? :)

]]> By: Jeff M http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-35811 Jeff M Sun, 06 Apr 2008 05:45:01 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-35811 With these photos, it look slike the trunk is either going to be small, or the opening/lid at least is small looking. Also like the high res photo in the other thread... I'm surprised this has the same drag as the Prius (which was stated elsewhere) with that front end which looks kind of flat. Maybe the grill is open and the air flows through some how with low resistence? With these photos, it look slike the trunk is either going to be small, or the opening/lid at least is small looking.

Also like the high res photo in the other thread… I’m surprised this has the same drag as the Prius (which was stated elsewhere) with that front end which looks kind of flat. Maybe the grill is open and the air flows through some how with low resistence?

]]> By: Tagamet http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-35809 Tagamet Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:59:57 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-35809 "It is amazing what we will try do to, just to get a view of this car…………" And only 2.5 years until we have a shot at getting one! (Methinks I should get out more) “It is amazing what we will try do to, just to get a view of this car…………”

And only 2.5 years until we have a shot at getting one! (Methinks I should get out more)

]]> By: Jim I http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/05/production-volt-exterior-design-photoshop-rendition/#comment-35785 Jim I Sun, 06 Apr 2008 01:28:05 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1004#comment-35785 It is amazing what we will try do to, just to get a view of this car............ It is amazing what we will try do to, just to get a view of this car…………

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