Comments on: Video Update: Ask Your Chevy Volt Questions at the GM Centennial Event

By: powerful video webchat

powerful video webchat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:27:20 +0000

I spend a lot of time reading blogs and I have to say I’m impressed with your posts. It’s refreshing to find a blog that has valuable content such as yours. I’ll be a regular reader from now on, you can count on it.
Thanks,
Dennis

By: Noo

Noo — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:44:56 +0000

- What was your inspiration?

– Chevy Volt is the extended-range electric vehicle. Is that different from normal vehicle in term of design?

- What was the hardest thing for designing Volt?

- What was your first thought when you got the briefing that you had to design the electric vehicle?

- Since you had got the briefing, how long had you designed the Chevy Volt?

- What the philosophy was with the design of the Volt.

- Most of GM vehicles have been demonstrating its industry-leading aerodynamics. How’s Chevy Volt?

- Why light blue? Why not red, green or any other color?

- Does GM’s cost-cutting measure affect your work?

- Besides Volt, have you ever design other GM’s brands?

Who designed the User Interface of the console? Will it have a similar touch interface to Apple’s iPhone? Will it have voice capabilities similar to Ford’s/Microsoft’s Sync?

By: Jim F.

Jim F. — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:19:13 +0000

I assume that the first generation Volt design is complete except for tweaks as a result of testing. What I’m wondering about is the next generation Volt:

1. What changes are forecast for the Gen 2 Volt?

2. Will there be new battery innovations for Gen 2? Will ultracapacitors be incorporated in Gen 2?

Also, will the EREV concept be expanded to other types of vehicles, e.g., small pick-up trucks, cross-over SUVs, etc.

Thanks, Lyle!

By: Bob R

Bob R — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:38:59 +0000

To Chris Moody – I think you have succinctly described one of the biggest
pitfalls of this loser. Sad to say it, but I’ll be at the Honda and Toyota dealer
tomorrow, no more waiting for an American company.
They just don’t have the talent.

Chris, thank you for pointing out the energy demand/supply loss proposition.

By: Bob R

Bob R — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:32:48 +0000

What a complete disaster! A PLUG IN car so we have to purchase
overpriced electricity from a monopoly ? And then $40,000 to boot ?
I am ssssooooo disappointed. I dumped my GM stock.
I really thought the American Engineers were going to get it right this time.
But nnnooo. The Volt from GM will be the biggest loser of all time.
An overpriced (way overpriced) undependable vehicle that can’t compete or gain market share, or meet the needs of the American public. I am stunned at how poor a product they have designed.

By: chris moody

chris moody — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:09:39 +0000

So here’s a thought, and I feel retarded so no other news outlet has mentioned this, but does the Chevy Volt, in order to get it’s 360-mile range need periodic stops?

The 71hp-generator hooked up to an electric engine (and the generator runs at only this speed.) The electric engine is 160hp, and eats up a full battery charge in about 40mi.

As the battery gets low, the gas engine kicks in to start recharging the battery. But because the generator generates so much less power, wouldn’t that limit the max speed after your battery is depleted? The max speed for the electric motor is ~100mph, and if you cut the power (once you’ve run out of battery) to 71hp/160hp~44% of that, you’re top speed is like 44mph, no? And that’s not including other inefficiencies, and assuming (probably incorrectly) that power is proportional to speed, so the max speed is probably still lower.

So assuming that you’re doing a cross-country trip, are your choices go at 44mph (or whatever the actual max is) or stop, charge up, and go again? Does that 360-mile range have this big caveat?

Because I don’t see a way around it. I don’t see other secret power sources, and the generator runs at one speed, so it’s not like you can ramp up power at the expense of efficiency.

chris

By: Ed from PA

Ed from PA — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:23:02 +0000

Can’t they use kenetic energy to recharge the batteries while doing normal driving? It would be a waste to lose all that power potential.

(Retired U.S.A.F. Aircraft Maintenance Technician)

By: Jake Starling

Jake Starling — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:28:41 +0000

What about an under-the-hood photo? Also, where are the specs? Finally, why not a Lead Cobalt battery (www.electricauto.com) and a fiber composite body (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiA4cpJb0uw). The 40 mile/charge range is a deal killer.

Cheers,

Jake

By: Robbert

Robbert — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:53:47 +0000

Why did you invest so much in a new design? Why not just use a Cobalt or Malibu shell? It would have saved you money, and would not have excited the community, only to let them down with the butt ugly POS “volt” shell that you designed.

By: paddy

paddy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:45:52 +0000

You are so lucky Lyle Wish I was there
1.) Horsepower??
2.) manual or automatic option?

Thanks Be safe and have a good time!!!!