Production Chevy Volt to Have a Kammback, Round Front, and Tapered Corners
We have known for a while that the initial Chevy Volt concept car did poorly in the wind tunnel. GM has advised us that in order to achieve a full 40 mile end of life EV range the car has to have an excellent aerodynamic profile.
Over time we have heard that the production Volt will have a coefficient of drag in the “mid-2’s”, as per GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz. I have also been told the new design outperforms the Prius in the wind-tunnel.
GM has only shown us a teaser of the new designs front end. I and other journalists caught a glimpse of a rear quarter while at the tech center in April (no pics) and noticed the rear corner was squared.
The video below demonstrates some of the aero effect issues GM is dealing with. In it we are told the Volt will have a flat back end, called a Kammback. The steep drop off leads to turbulence behind the car which improves the CD. We are also told the car will have a round front and tapered corners.
No official word yet on when we’ll finally see it all but I suspect very soon.
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May 29th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Good information and I am first tonight.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
First comment contained the word w o w without the spaces and went into moderation. Man!
May 29th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
This information goes with the Popular Mechanics link I added to my post earlier today.
Another Popular Mechanics link about the Volt. You should find it interesting. I did.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4257460.html
May 29th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Hm, reminds me of the latest Vettes with the squared back; but I could be way off.
I imagine the Volt will be immediately distinguished from other cars like the Prius. This is a good thing.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Rounded front end, flat back, and tapered corners. I’m not sure what’s new information here. This was all obvious in the camouflage mock-ups.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Sorry to be making all of these comments while you guys are asleep at the wheel. My little mind can only handle one thought at a time and I have to get it typed in and submitted.
I don’t mind the rounded corners and the cam-back or whatever as long as it is roomy for long legs and wide shoulders. It needs to easily handle four full-sized men.
I am ready to see what it looks like now. Come on GM, finish the design and give us a look see. Then let us put down deposits.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Form following function often has a natural beauty. I’m sure it will be fantastic.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Nice view of the Caddy’s opening grille louvers. I’ve heard the Volt will have something similar.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
N Riley: thanks for the link, it’s interesting. I like the snippets info that shows up each day on this site from GM.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Hey Dave B and Scott
Welcome to the party. If it looks like a cross between a Corvette and a Prius, I will be very satisfied. Won’t you?
May 29th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Well,
If it has the general shape of that black sillouette it will be an attractve car.
imho
May 29th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Hrm…where have I seen that shape before…hrm
Kind of looks like the mild redesign of the 2009 Prius.
http://fuelzilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/toyota-prius-2009-0307.jpg
BTW…my favorite color of jelly bean is red.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I failed that spelling test…
May 29th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Grizzly #9
I hope it does not have grille covers that open and close. That might look good and sound good, but in real practice it is problems waiting to happen. I remember the early Camaro (1967) with headlights that opened and closed. Wasn’t long you either had to fork repair money or wire them open. Maybe it will work better now. Caddy owners can afford the repair bills.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Also, I don’t think that short front window, long flat nose could achieve the efficiency they are looking for. What is this going to be the first sedan to lose ‘cab-forward’ in the last decade? That mockup couldn’t have a window depth of more than 20 inches.
Looks like the front end of a ‘86 Firebird…just needs a flashing Red LED at the front.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Don’t mind me however..my glass is always half-empty. Hehe.
/time will tell
May 29th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
N. Riley #14
Bob Boniface doesn’t pull the cover off far enough in this vid to see the louvers that are present at 0:49 of the video on youtube entitled “new look for the Chevy Volt”. I didn’t want to post the link because the spam catcher seems all too active lately.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Statik #16 & 17
The profile shown does not show me the leg and head room that I was hoping for. It looks like it might be ok in the front seats for most people but be pretty tight in the back seat. I would easily give up 4 or 5 miles or a little more under EV mode for more room. GM said that weight was not the primary concern but that CD was. If that is so, why not give us a 4-door sedan that can actually carry four grown up men that are a little above average in height and weight?
Come on GM. What is it gonna be? You have got to give us room to move around and not feel like sardines packed in a tin can. I must admit I have yet to find out how sardines would feel packed in a tin can. But, I darn sure don’t want a Cobalt size car. I got behind a late model Cobalt today and was not pleased with the size. I could imagine myself behind the wheel and I did not see any extra space for comfort. I will not spend $30,000 or more for a sardine can.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Aerodynamics are sometimes counterintuitive. On a recent MYTHBUSTERS - they proved that a pickup truck with it tailgate up was more aerodynamic than when it was removed.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I think GM has a history of not going deep in to the aesthetic side of its designs or they have a different view on this. The prius and Honda FCX designs are beautiful. I hope and wish GM does something better than this to Volt. May be the concept of electric cars were always associated with extra ordinary shapes.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
That photo looks like my kid’s first Pinewood Derby car.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Prius is a beautiful design? Not to me. Waiting for the Volt. Wish GM would take deposits.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
It’s not “cam back,” it’s “Kammback,” named after a German, Kamm, who discovered the aerodynamic advantage of the chopped-off tail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kammback
May 29th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
#22 Charlie
I agree. I think we are being told a story.
Take Care
Arch
May 29th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Reminds me of the early 80s Camaro, Pontiac Firebird design. Tepid, but noticeable.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I really hope they make it look better then the Prius. I hate the way the Prius looks. I would be willing to sacrifice a mile or so of range for a awesome looking EV. Looking forward to seeing the finished design! I know they can pull off a gorgeous looking car after seeing the new Cadillac CTS and Chevy Malibu. Can’t wait!
May 29th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
It is indeed true that styling sells the car, but in the case of the Volt, aerodynamics must take center stage.
The Volt’s efficiency and total mileage will be dependent on just how low they can get the coefficient of drag.
Form follows function.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
4 door Corvette. Now we’re talking!
May 29th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
N Riley #14:
Your concern about unreliable grille covers should not be a problem. Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU-dChOfkAg
And if you skip ahead to about 80-90% of the way through the video below, there is a hint that some of this magic may appear on the Volt.
http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/show/1121/2?play
It makes sense to have this feature because you only need an open grille when the ICE is running.
And if it’s cheap to build, it will help keep build costs lower while giving the customers an “oooh, ahhh” impression that they would be willing to pay extra money for. Sort of like the millions of people paying a premium for a sexy Apple iPod even though there are many cheaper MP3 players out there.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:03 am
I wish the Chevy Volt will come also equipped with a CNG tank (instead of gasoline tank) similar to the Honda Civic GX. It would run much cleaner and could be filled up in our garages. Both sources of power (electricity and with CNG) could be provided in our garages overnight. We (the future Volt owners) would not have to ‘visit’ a gas station again. Honda dealers sell a filling station to GX owners for home use, for about $4000. Could GM do something similar for the Volt nation? I hope YES…
May 30th, 2008 at 12:58 am
From reading these comments It seems as though people are confusing that model pictured above to demonstrate a wind tunnel effect with the Volt.
It’s clear from what we’ve been shown via the clay model, and the peek a boo from Boniface that that car is not the Volt.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:58 am
So I never have seen this stated: Is the volt hatchback like? This seems to lend itself to that. One of the things I love most about my prius is the versatility of being a hatchback (thing things I’ve fit in it…). I was really turned off of the Honda hybrids since not only did it lack this versatility, but they can’t even fold the seats down.
I apologize if this is redundant but would love to hear if GM has said anything definitive on whether it will follow the prius in this way (which will make me want one that much more).
May 30th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Clark #30
Writing from across the Atlantic, and owning two Opel cars, I may say that if GM wants to include versatility in the use of their cars, they can do it very well. It is for this reason and for the general quality of those cars that I bought them. And I never regretted my decision.
If the Volt comes to Western Europe, I hope it will include a part of this versatility … or I will wait for an E-flex Opel.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:24 am
#3 N Riley Thank you for the Pop Mech link. I found it very interesting, just as you said. For example
” The overall shape, which was covered by a red sheet in the studio, looked to have a very Prius-like profile. In other words, the proportions and overall style of the Volt probably won’t look much like the concept. “
May 30th, 2008 at 5:42 am
“Sustainable materials are all over the place, from a recycled carpet to soy-based foam seats.”
Ever since high-school I’ve been dreaming of getting some soy-based foam seats. Usually I’ve had recycled carpets though (smile, and again thanks to N Riley for the link)
This kind of stuff is environmental baby food and makes the car seem pitiful.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:52 am
#28 Eugene
Nice thinking, but by providing a CNG tank calls for further design changes. CNG and Diesel options will come under the E-Flex development stage which is likely to take place only after Volt’s roll out. But a BEV is more likely to come first.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:56 am
N Riley #3:
Good link, but the comments at the bottom show a real lack of information. They need to do some reading of the old posts here!
Statik #12:
We are starting to agree on some things, but I sure do hope the Volt does not look like that Prius….
Eugene #28:
CNG sounds like a good idea, but what are you going to do when you are 200 miles from home???? Whether we like it or not, right now gasoline is still available wherever you happen to be!
I hope that GM shows us the final production Volt soon, so we can end all this speculation!!!!
Go GM Volt Team!!!
May 30th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Sorry for the typing mistake, read ..but providing a CNG tank..
May 30th, 2008 at 6:11 am
#23 dagwood55
Thank you for the link and info on Kammback. Very interesting phenomenon.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:24 am
#35 Jim I
“We are starting to agree on some things, but I sure do hope the Volt does not look like that Prius…”
Scary. Although it is well known I think the Prius is a pretty OK car…(although I won’t buy one in it’s current iteration, because of the ‘nerd’s shoe’ looks for a extra 15 MPG). I also hope very much that it does not end up looking like that…or similar.
I think the problem with targeting a coefficient in the ‘mid 2s’ is that, well…there is only so much variation you can get away with.
As the target number gets lower, it reduces the uniqueness of a car…until at some point every car is identical, once optimal efficiency is made.
As has been pointed out…I’d rather have 5 mile less range and not get a jelly bean.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:30 am
N Riley # 3
I failed to mention that in the Interview with Mr. Lutz on the Bill Bennett show, he mentioned the size of the VOLT to be about
the size of the old Malibu, maybe a little smaller.
I’m with you in that I don’t want a glorfied Colbalt.
Regards,
Tom
May 30th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I’m hopeful that we get to see the final design soon. I’m sure it will be a show stopper.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Form should certainly follow function here as it is true that areo-dynamics play a larger role in overall efficiency than the actual wieght of the car…
I’ve been all over this Volt since the first time I heard about the Electric-primary Gas-secondary concept…then I saw their concept design and loved the look! It got me hooked.
I just cannot bring myself to move from my ‘01 BMW to a Prius or Civic…I’m just too much of a car guy to take that plunge…sorry their ‘form’ (u-g-l-y) just does not make up for their ‘function’ (modest increases in oveall MPG)
I’m still excited, visiting this site and others daily but I havent been nearly as excited about some of these latest Volt designs we are seeing as they are less and less like that concept car we’ve all been seeing (top right of this pg)… but I’m already hooked and I’m just looking forward to seeing the final design.
C’mon GM…you can pull this future hopeful GM customer away from the evil German engineering he has enjoyed for several years…bring me back to American-made!
Make this car look as much like that concept as possible… my deposit is collecting interest each and every day!
May 30th, 2008 at 7:41 am
PLEASE DO NOT LET IT LOOK LIKE THE PRIUS. Toyota still makes some real vanilla vehicles and I like spice in my vehicles. They may be good vehicles but design is not their strong point.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Have no fear. Remember everyone that Mr. Lutz said that although they had to change the concept to improve the CD, it will be unmistakably the VOLT. Time will tell, but I seriously doubt it will look like the Prius (which in itself, is a chick magnet)
May 30th, 2008 at 8:41 am
…or they could make it look like the Flextreme with a rounded Volt front end. I have to admit, I like the Volt but the Flextreme wowed me from the jump. The Flextreme also has slightly tapered corners, a rounded front and a steep cut off at the rear. So if it comes out looking a little Flex-ish, I won’t be disappointed. To be honest with you, pretty much whatever it comes out looking like, it will be unique-and that to some is enough.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Rashiid
I don’t know about you, but all I need is another chick magnet. Man, its hard to fight them off now. Just wait until I buy my 2009 Prius as a stop-gap car!
May 30th, 2008 at 9:22 am
On a more serious note, I hope GM knows how important it is to deliver a car that is actually useful as a family vehicle. Granted, not one that could carry a five member family. I mentioned to my wife last night that the Volt was going to be a four passenger car and she thought it was “silly” to spend that kind of money on a car that could only carry four people. It mentioned to her that the average family was less than four people in the U.S. That didn’t make much difference to her.
I hope the Volt looks more like the concept car than a Prius, but my primary concern is interior space. I can accept many shapes as long as I have a comfortable seating arrangement and a great driving experience.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Should be “I mentioned to her….”
May 30th, 2008 at 9:52 am
So many tidbits but nothing concrete… Come on GM… You are in the preproduction phase.. You have the final design already… Now gear up for MASS production and let’s get started here…
oh… and give us a real peak at the car…..it’s time to get going….
I have deposit in hand… Black and ALL the options…
Just get it to me and soon….. and remember… it your milage is less that the Prius or Honda or ??? and the price is 30 % more.. you know where my deposit will go.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Volt Front-end Styling: (I first pulled up this Saab 9-3 Aero link, then toggled between it and 1:08 in the video at the top).
My guess is (as someone in the press who’d seen the latest Volt front end has said) that the Volt shape & headlamp housings will be similar to the Saab Aero’s, but styled better. Its hood will be lower, slope more & the grill will make it look like a Chevy.
As I visualize it, it’ll be sleeker & sexier than the concept Volt!!!
May 30th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I do not think the 4 seats is a problem, people with large families drive minivans, station wagons, and SUV’s that seat 6 or more.
Why GM makes cars with less than 38 inches of headroom or 40 inches of leg room, is beyond me. Maybe we they let go of the 19,000 who accepted the buyout, they can improve customer satisfaction.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:21 am
#49 Van
You are correct as far as the Volt is concerned. I am satisfied with a 4-passenger vehicle as long as it is roomy. In the future we will see the same drive train technology applied to mid-sized SUVs and small pickups, I hope. The small SUV will be able to carry a family much more comfortable.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I remember reading negative reviews of Saturns, before I got my 2000 SW2, that they were a “boring” and “unexciting” designed vehicle. Guess I’m one of those odd pragmatists where cars are concerned. Reliability, utility, affordability, intuitive controls. Don’t give a rip about “Corinthian leather” (OK, that was another car maker’s schtick) and the car’s sex appeal.
If GM can get the CD down into the low .2 range. Great. Under .2 would be even better for the MPG and AER.
Just like the Prius, there are gonna be a lot of car geeks who declare the Volt “ugly” and exclaim “What the heck was GM thinking with this thing? It’s just not sexy.” Whatever.
I’ll be weighing the PHEV Prius and Volt as a replacement for my SW2. [Unless an EV beats 'em to that.] Price, MPG, AER, warranty. Those are my factors.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:28 am
#46 N Riley
Your chick magnetic field must not emanate through this blog. If it did, I suspect we’d have more than a 2% female population.
…and your wife is on to something. Even if the average US family has less than four people, sometimes we take friends with us in our 7-passenger van. Tell your wife that we will eventually see e-flex vans. But, GM has to start somewhere. A family sedan seems like the right place. As battery sizes reduce, we’ll see a fifth seat.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Jim I #37:
CNG sounds like a good idea, but what are you going to do when you are 200 miles from home???? Whether we like it or not, right now gasoline is still available wherever you happen to be!
Jim - Many gas stations carry now the CNG or could sell in the future (for Volt) a 1 gallon or 5 gallon tank of CNG (or, propane…?!) as an extended range emergency supply to get home or to the next CNG supply station. Chevy Volt should also come equipped with a ’safe’ socket or connector where to plug this emergency CNG supply (a la protable pre-filled propane tanks for camping). WHAT DOES ‘BEV’ STAND FOR?
May 30th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I should point out that my chick magnetic field is simialry challenged. I think my poles are aligned to repel chicks.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Eugene:
I doubt that a 5 gallon low presssure tank would fuel the car very far, but maybe I am wrong about this….
And BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle.
:)
May 30th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Looks like there could be a new problem ahead.
http://www.resourceinvestor.com/pebble.asp?relid=43162
Take Care
Arch
May 30th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Oh! Look! A dead horse! I guess I’ll give it a few whacks too.
Bottom line: Those that loved the original concept are going to be very disapointed and those that love the Prius and all things EV will be satisfied. A lot of the general car buying public won’t really care. Very few will be buying this car because of the way it looks. It will look better than a Prius, better than the Cobalt, but only the bastard stepchild of the Volt we know.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Considering the Delta II platform that the VOLT will be riding on is the about 95% the size as the BMW 3 series I don’t think size should be that large an issue for seating 4 adults. However, it will be interesting to see how the seating arrangement will work with the interior, battery pack, gas tank and trunk space.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Thanks for talking me down there DaV8or … I’m working on tempering my expectations as best I can. I keep telling myself that it is the BEV concept that is so much more important than the chick-magnetization factor…
I have no immediate plans to spend my deposit.
On another note, hasnt the final design already been posted here on the May23rd story…? Albeit its a fiberglass, see-through smaller scale version…
May 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am
58 DaV8or ….
Anyone who cares how I really think the Volt front end will look, go up to my post #50 (which just became available –off of moderation) and follow my link there, etc.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Lyle,
Are you going to going to post about Mr. Lutz’s first Volt Mule drive? There is video.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Not all women go for muscle cars. I’ll bet some like the Prius. That means the Prius could be a “chick” magnet.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Well, speaking as a chick, I am not personally drawn to the Prius. The looks are repellent & the name suits it well - basically a shortened version of “pretentious”.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Not to repeat the obvious but…
As to the size of the car and the interior room, drag is a function of the Cd TIMES the frontal area. So, the bigger the car gets as viewed from the front, the more drag, Cd being equal.
This is just one more difficult tradeoff for car designers to assess.
#40 Statik:
I agree that, as Cd gets smaller, cars must tend to look more and more alike. We just need to get there first, and make the rest look like copycats. I would rather have 5 miles more AER than a whizbang styling statement.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
#2 N Riley:
Yeah, it did it to me yesterday too. Too bad. A lot of things on this blog tend to make one want to say w o w without the spaces, but I don’t advise it!
May 30th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
The Volt needs to be 5 seater: 1 driver, two kids and two friends. That make sense for most people that want to use the Volt around town.
Looks? I guess we will just have to wait until GM shows us what it will really look like. It could be anything at this point.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I know how to type, really. Just not very well. Insert as appropriate:
a s
May 30th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Nasaman @61
Good call on the Saab. I think you are spot on with your analysis of the front end. I just hope the back end doesn’t look like a Prius.
To those of you here that will take a few miles longer range for a less attractive design, I have to ask what is the reason you wish to buy a Volt. I simply don’t understand that line of thinking. To me, a car purchase is a big deal, I’m in it a lot, and there is no way I will spend that kind of money for something ugly. I can not believe, those here who own a house, bought there house by function alone. NO ONE does that. Looks matter. Design matters. Style matters. Any one you know bought their house on insulation value alone? Heating and AC bills alone? I don’t think so.
Then why, on another ~ $30K-$35K money layout, would you take this approach with a car? A few more miles of range?? Why, to save a tiny bit more money?? If money matters that much, you should be buying a Hyundai for $13K and banking the rest.
Cars need to be rescued from the appliance rack and put back in the garage, like they used to be. I don’t know how we’ve drifted so far down that unfortunate path. Cars used to be fun and stylistic, something you wanted to drive, not had to. They should be that way again.
Maybe I’m a dinosaur; I still care more about how my car looks than how my cell phone looks.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I think some people are saying they will ignore some styling issues if the performance is up to par (range).
May 30th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
N. Reily @ 10
Would a Corvette mixed with a Prius be a Corius?
PS How come I got this at 2 pm on the 30th and some comments are posted yesterday?
May 30th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Time Travel
May 30th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Terry @70
I know thats what they are saying. I don’t understand the mindset. An extra 3-5 miles of range, taken advantage of, say 4 times a week, is about 13 gallons of gas saved. 50-60 bucks.
You would drive a crappy looking car rather than a more attractive looking car to save 60 bucks a year??
“That’s small potatoes on a 35,000 dollar car, lieutenant.”
May 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
MetrologyFirst
Some people, like me, value function over form. If you understood that mindset better, you wouldn’t be swayed by looks. It is a left/right brain thing.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
73 MetrologyFirst….
As you say, “An extra 3-5 miles of range, taken advantage of, say 4 times a week, is about 13 gallons of gas saved. 50-60 bucks. You would drive a crappy looking car rather than a more attractive looking car to save 60 bucks a year??”
…..I’m following similar reasoning in my intensive “lobbying” efforts (with GM management & engineering) in the hope they’ll introduce a Plug-in Saturn Vue with a ~35 mile EV-only range …..AND that they’ll productize & market the Flextreme concept they claim will get 34 miles EV-only (& 444 miles per tank with its ICE/Gen running). :)
May 30th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
ThombDbhomb #54
Just like many other things, size is in the eye of the beholder (size of the chick magnet, of course). It certainly isn’t like it used to be. A 2% female population is not really that bad. Most women could care less about we have been discussing. Thank you, ladies, whoever you are.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I was never crazy about the concept Volt look. Visibility with those tiny windows must be atrocious. Probably outright dangerous… I’d rather give up a little in radical style for some improved efficiency. But I DO agree the Volt needs to be instantly recognisable. Unique in a way it will attract attention to it. I’m sure they can achieve such a look in an aerodynamic shape. I realy don’t think they want the Volt to resemble one of their more lame (sorry) designs… Not to worry folks.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
One of the videos posted hinted that the side mirrors will be video cameras. That should help the “view”.
I still love the look of the concept, but as long as it’s not distinctive in the sense that the Prius is “distinctive” (read but t ugly), I still have my check in hand.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Terry @67
At least initially, the Volt won’t be a 5 seater because of the T shaped battery. Once the platform is “ported” to other styles the 5th and 6th seats will come.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I think all of you are right, except for those asking for CNG fuel. I thought we had placed that one in the dust bin. You could always after market it. A lot of pickup trucks had that done back in the 70’s.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I think the Volt will be a great looking car that we all would be proud to own. My biggest concern, beyond price and availability, is how roomy it will be. I accept the 4-seater setup as ok. I will be the primary driver and at other times it will be mostly myself and my wife. Sometimes we may have our two grand kids. We do expect to have more grand kids, but we have a Honda Odyssey for hauling everyone. And the 2009 Prius looks pretty sharp! Looks is in the eye of the pocket book when it comes to fuel economy.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is up with the Moderation?
May 30th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Tagamet#71
Would a Corvette mixed with a Prius be a Corius? I don’t know but it probably would look pretty sharp. A Volt with the heart of Corvette and the economy, and better, of the Prius. Sounds like it would sell faster than GM could make them.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
78 Tagamet….
Great idea to use video cameras, Tag! We now know there will be a large touch screen in the center console ….so a tiny, wide-angle camera facing rearward located in a narrow probe-like extension on both sides with LEDs for running lights/turn signals facing forward would offer very little drag but improved rear vision. The driver could just speak “LEFT” or “RIGHT” (or “REAR” for a split screen showing both). (Not really far-fetched —my present car responds reliably to similar voice commands.)
May 30th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Nasaman,
Not far fetched and unlike MOST things mechanical, it’d work for left-handers.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I don’t want to get too off topic, but I was researching alternate batteries. Can any of you engineering types comment on this? Is this for real?
http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/01/12/electric-cars-nanotech-tech-sciences-cz_as_0112nano.html
May 30th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
ThombDbhomb @74
I understand function over from. I work at a place that takes that to new levels all the time. We have to consider the goal of the experiments before all else. But we work in a lab. It makes sense here.
Cars are different. (or at least they used to be) My problem is why throw away the style, visual appeal and creativity just for marginal functional gains? Particularly when there is no direct competion in this EV/RE-EV segment yet. There are many, many more people who value style, and consider the function a bonus. I understand that too. Especially when you are spending 30K on something you intend to maintain and be closely associated with for many years.
IMO, (and MANY others), the Prius is an ugly car. It sells because it is the only game in town if you want real high mpg and interior space. It sells in spite of its looks. Thats OK, but its in trouble when something else more attactive comes along that can play the same game. The Volt will be a problem for the Prius, IF it has goods looks to go along with its function.
GM has the chance to produce a game changer here, especially right out of the box. The technology will sell it for sure. But if they can sacrifice a little range for a knockout style and appearance, GM will have REALLY changed the game. Instead of throwing their hat into the existing ring, they will have built a whole new ring the others may have to come into to play.
A cool, well styled, attractive Volt will require that the followers will also have to produce the same tech AND style to compete, not just the tech. It makes life harder for the rest. Particularly if they are style-challenged. And I would think a competitve advantage is what their business is all about. It seems like it would be easier in the future to pull back on the style and bump up the range if need be than the other way around.
The first EV out there will set the standard for all others, in tech AND style. If people accept a style dog, thats all we’ll get offered by the others.
But what do I know, I still LOVE driving a manual shift.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Tagamet @85
Sure would! (Coming from a frustrated left-hander)
If it makes our life easier……
May 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
MetrologyFirst
@87
We Lefties are down to 1 in 10 of the population and getting fewer. Statistically our life span is shorter than Righties, due to accidents (with machines). Maybe we can get priority on the waiting list? lol
May 30th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
MetrologyFirst #86
I agree completely. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Tag:
This is from another lefty on this forum…..
I am a bit confused by your recent comments. A month or so ago, you were saying to keep it simple, with nothing fancy. Just get it out on the road ASAP. Now you are talking about cameras and screens for backup mirrors and voice activation of the command structure!!!!!
Don’t get me wrong, this is what I have been asking for all along, and I am glad you have joined the “dark side of the force”, but what caused it????
Have you changed your meds without telling us???? :) :)
Also, if you really want to see danger, pick up just about any power tool used for woodworking. They are all designed to kill a left handed person……….
Go GM Volt Team!!!!! The dark side wants supercar!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 30th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
IS THERE ANY WAY TO POST LINKS ANYMORE WITHOUT BEING MODDED?
May 30th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I am a lefty as well!
Methinks It’s time for a poll…
May 30th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Jim I
Sorry for the confusion. No change in Meds OR valence. One of the videos I saw on Popular Mechanics really LOOKED like it had wiring coming from where the mirrors traditionally ARE. So being a right brainer, I leaped to the video/mirror conclusion. Given that, it’s already ON the Volt, it shouldn’t delay getting out the car that I STLL want them to get out NOW (or yesterday).
May 30th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Function over form…. BEV over E-REV. Will I really have to move to Californai to buy the VOLT in a BEV. Why not roll em out in Florida as well. TED
May 30th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
nasaman
“…..I’m following similar reasoning in my intensive “lobbying” efforts (with GM management & engineering) in the hope they’ll introduce a Plug-in Saturn Vue with a ~35 mile EV-only range ”
Thank you for your efforts with GM. I sure hope they can see the logic in your position. They clearly have their focus on the Volt, as it should be, but if they should at least see the tremendous advantages of an EREV CUV even if it is for a 2nd generation E-Flex model. There is an even bigger market advantage for a 35 mileAER CUV than for a 40 mile AER 4 person sedan.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Saab Sonnet
May 30th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
shape reminds me of a 67, 68 camaro…..just wish GM would complete the vehicle and get it to the customers
May 30th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
#86 , MetrologyFirst says, “But what do I know, I still LOVE driving a manual shift.”
I am really really going to miss my clutch when I buy the Volt.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
#50 nasaman
I agree, only I think the front end may come from the Saab 9-x concept shown at this link: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/geneva-08-previe-saab-9-x-biohybrid-concept/
Note that the 9-X is built on the Delta II platform, just like the Volt. As I look at the windshield for the Volt and 9-X, there are very similar in shape and slope. Therefore, I believe the Volt will look similar to the 9-X from the windshield forward (with Chevy grill, as you mention) and similar to the Volt concept from the windshield back, only without the large fender flares over the rear wheels. I agree this should still be an eye-catching, sexy vehicle. Time will tell if it can take the “chick-magnet” title away from the“pretentious”.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Hey, check out the latest rendering from the Design section of the forum!
This is what appears to be a very accurate rendering of the Volt, rounded front, similar to the Concept from the windshield back.
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=568
May 30th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
RATS!
I just realized that what I thought were possibly video rearviews, were probably ports for the plug. Duh.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I really like the Saab front end. Still digesting the rendering on our site.