When Bob Boniface, the Volt’s Chief Designer, officially presented the first ‘IVer in motion’ on July 28th (also known to him as Christmas morning), that Volt was painted in the finest color known to man, which of course is not a color at all, it is black. While this made the Volt look impressive, it made design changes a little hard to pick up on.
A few weeks later at a media event, another IVer Volt was put through its paces by Frank Weber, who is officially ‘King of the Engineers’ at GM. (Ok, that is not his actual title, but it is way too long to repeat, and too boring to remember)
This particular Volt gave us the opportunity to more easily judge/identify the changes, because it was in the worst color known to man, Robin’s Egg Blue.
Actually, that is bold-faced lie. Bob Boniface just recently sent me a note telling me that particular IVer was in “e-coat gray without paint,” not Robin’s Egg Blue. (However, my making that mistake illustrates my point…that Robin’s Egg Blue is a terrible color, and all previously built Volts in that color (or similar) need to be used in crash tests…but I digress)
As you can see from the illustrations, the hood has been changed into more of a bonnet, and the front side quarter panels have been adjusted accordingly. This type of hood, while often seen on trucks and SUV/CUVs is a rarity for sedans.
What was unclear is if this design change is functional or aesthetic. From first glance, it appears it could allow for more access, or perhaps it offers additional protection/redundancy from the elements for the sensitive components inside. Then again, perhaps Bob Boniface just really liked the new Ford Fiesta and this is his homage to it.
When I inquired about the subject, all of those first assumptions proved incorrect, and Mr. Boniface has this to say:
“Hood cutline change was made for compliance with European Pedestrian Protection regulations. Hood cutines tend to be very stiff due to metal flanging and the original ones fell into test zone for head impact.”
So there you have it, functional changes. However, he did add his thoughts on what that meant for the aesthetics as well:
“I was happy to move them because I think the side view line makes the fender appear thinner.”
Taking the reason for the changes to its logical conclusion, one could assume these changes will see their way to the Opel Ampera project as well.
Personally, I think the new changes give it a little more of the “nerd’s shoe” mystique, but it also gives the Volt a little more uniqueness…and that can’t be a bad thing.
Sidenote: Frank Weber’s official title actually is “Global Vehicle Line Executive/Global Vehicle Chief Engineer, Global Electric Vehicle Line Team” …that has to be one whale of a desk plaque.
+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:16 am)Where the heck did my comment go?
Oh well, I will repeat.
The bottom picture is gorgeous.
They did take the concept (which was beautiful) and made an equally beautiful looking car.
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-2
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:18 am)YES!!!! The old style of posting comments? Could this be true? Oh what a great day this is turning out to be. Of course, there will be some detractors today.
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+33
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:18 am)Nevermind. I am an idiot.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:20 am)Statik:
Is that the best you can come up with for a complaint? They were required to change the design of a sheet metal part to pass crash tests is your big post???
Isn’t this one of the main reasons to build he IV’s in the first place? To get it through testing and make sure it will build properly for manufactuing? Of course there will be small changes made.
And I am sure there are lots of people that like “Robin’s Egg Blue”…
Me personally, I want Sky Blue Metallic, which is a bit darker than Robin’s egg.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (6:26 am)I hadn’t noticed that at all… well, it doesn’t seem a big change anyway; the headlights are unaffected, which could have spoiled the design way more than this new hood.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:27 am)Had noticed the design changes during the IVER test drive. My first thought is that it must be a cost saving measure.
Parts sharing with the Cruze (and Orlando?).
EREV me
=D~.
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:32 am)Actually I think it has been scientifically proven that nobody likes robin’s egg blue. I do have to agree though that Statik is realy pushing for a contreversy. I guess this means things are going well.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:32 am)Maybe our “guest” writer is also a “ghost” writer who whisked your first comment away, Rashiid!
Regarding the hoodline change, it’s easy to imagine that the lower photo’s spear-shaped upper front fender (now eliminated) might be considered a sharp-pointed threat to pedestrians in a car-person collision at a crowded crosswalk in Paris or London. But I’ll need to adjust to the esthetics of it.
/ Welcome back Statik –your wry sense of humor has been missed!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (6:46 am)With the hood line change and in robin’s egg blue the Volt is coming to like a real gm car. There’s no longer possible confusion with BMW.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (6:48 am)“…and the original ones fell into test zone for head impact”
————
Anyone understand what this means?
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:56 am)I lover the Quicksilver Metallic I’ve seen a lot of G6 coupes in lately. It’s kind of a white-ish pearly silver, rather than a grey silver. Very attractive.
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-1
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:01 am)I believe “test zone” = maximum heigth of a crumpled hood. The design change lowers the top (cutting edge) by 6″ or so.
The adjusted fender location is a big help with under hood component access.
=D~
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Aug 26th, 2009 (7:03 am)Anyone notice the fuel or plug port on the picture of the right front fender above? Could we be looking at Ampera frames and if so is everything backwards on the euro models?
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Aug 26th, 2009 (7:06 am)My guess is that if you get scooped up by the Volt bumper as a pedestrian and you bang your little head on the old fender edge it will no longer be there to provide sharp force trauma and instead will use the new shape to decelerate your sacrilegious body.
I immediately thought of the PT Cruiser when I saw the new hoodline. Hopefully when the Volt comes in my favorite darker colors I won’t notice it so much.
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+9
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:15 am)Pedestrian impact assumes that the pedestrian’s head will come into contact with the vehicle hood. Pedestrian protection regulations require that the hood be flexible enough to deform upon impact from a human head. Regulators have prescribed test zones for this.
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:19 am)Jim, I couldn’t agree more – what a fluff piece.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (7:21 am)I lover it too Jim–
Sorry I had to say it though.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:30 am)My guess is that the lower right photo has been “flipped” to face the same way as the others.
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-1
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:32 am)Hi bb … thanks for the information regarding… “very stiff due to metal flanging and the original ones fell into test zone for head impact”.
In my past work history involving industrial equipment the concerns were injury from pinch points and from crush hazards. I can see ‘flexibility of panels’ being an automotive concern for posible pedestrian impacts. Good to see the modification to make the Volt (Ampera) to code and safe.
=D~
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:32 am)So your original hood design was truly employing “cutting edge” styling, huh Bob?
/ Sorry, couldn’t resist!
PS: Was the spear-shaped upper front fender just above the headlamp assembly also a problem?
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:41 am)A Anyone who jumps in front of my my Volt deserves to have their head bashed in.
B Statik we are really missing the low down on the financial stuff. After what they did to the concept, you are quibbling about a slightly changed hood?
Have you checked with Maximum Bob to see if he thinks GM has kept the essence of the original hood?
I guess yang thinks it’s a good thing to have a crumpled up bonnet if it saves some dickheads life.
/Tongue firmly in cheek!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (7:44 am)My first impression was that it looked more like a Saturn. The excitement I had for the original concept car is almost completely gone.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:45 am)Hey Rashiid, you’ve finally made a comment everybody can agree with!
/ We all know all IT guys are complete idiots, right? ….that’s why they so clearly deserve the blame for everything that goes wrong in both offices & factories all over the world, right?
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Aug 26th, 2009 (7:48 am)Not on the Euro models. Must be an early Holden Volt, we all drive on the left, so it must be MY plug point. The fuel tank is at the back.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (7:48 am)OK! Good! Keep up the good work and make sure you paint it some color.
I guess this kinda of work requires a master engineer, or at least today it does.
Get on with it and get a Volt out to the people so they can see a real car versus a, computer car.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:49 am)Almost as fluffy as yesterdays car wash test article.
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:49 am)What?!? They changed the hood design! What nerve, these engineers.
That’s it. No Volt For Me!
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:52 am)I don’t think it is a complaint at all, or is pushing for a controversy, I think he is saying he actually likes the change. He is just giving us some new information, with some humor along the way.
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-1
Aug 26th, 2009 (7:57 am)We talked about the hood change a week or so ago. Not a big deal to me. I think the new hood line works better w/the headlights anyway.
Having the two pictures above side by side, I feel like i’m playing that photo-hunt game, looking for the differences. I see a few other little sheet metal things but nothing major.
One question however, will the roofs be painted black, or has that look been removed?
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (8:01 am)/what Nasaman said
The image is a mirror of itself, to fit with the other two illustrations.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:01 am)The robin eggs blue looks good to me if one compares it to the color of a certain pink tie.
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-19
Aug 26th, 2009 (8:04 am)(click to show comment)
+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (8:07 am)Ok – We moved some small sheetmetal on a fender, it looks slightly more Prius like – Not a biggie in my book..
How about a real scoop – Whats the highway mileage, and/or the “final” gas tank size..
Given IVers, I’m guessing that’s both of these items are know now.
GuyMan
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:10 am)Confusion w/ BMW….you be funny RB
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:11 am)Financially, from the technical side of things, I appears that the mods might also make the cost to repair/replace the front fascia and body work a little cheaper in the case of an unfortunate more-minor accident with a rock, chunk of ice, or road debris.
This reflects excellent foresight in the design department so as to save us all a slightly higher insurance category premium for collision parts of our insurances.
GM is really careful to keep these things in mind for us as well in the “cost of ownership” accounting. The small OEM’s for BEV can not do this as well, since economies of scale are not as prevalent. I say this also because collision insurance premiums may necessarily need to include
****************************************
what EV equipment is behind
****************************************
those damaged areas.
Industry standards for production quantities under 5,000 are not nearly as stringent as production quantities above 5,000 per year.
Placing any component, especially and EV component, anywhere there is room behind the front body panels without the advanced as well as historically-referenced foresight that Bob Boniface and his department incorporates into Volt, would be a practice far more likely to “total” a BEV where there are very significant damages. I’ll bet that Bob’s department is working hard to make and keep Voltec vehicles far more insurable for us all.
(Off to work. Have a great day all!!)
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-5
Aug 26th, 2009 (8:11 am)OFF TOPIC
The Volt is a great design and will revolutionize the auto industry, no question. There is another technology that will, when it comes to market, also revolutionize the industry. EEStor will be bringing its energy storage units to market sometime in the first quarter of 2010 at projected cost of $100/kWh.
Here is an interview that gives that timeline:
http://theeestory.com/topics/2529
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:14 am)Some probable causes for the changes:
–Larger hood area for better serviceability, (maybe they found things were too tight for the removal of some components).
–It obliviously looks cheaper to stamp. both hood and fender.
– And as stated by Mr Boniface, “Hood cutline change was made for compliance with European Pedestrian Protection regulations. Hood cutines tend to be very stiff due to metal flanging and the original ones fell into test zone for head impact.”
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:17 am)Amen….that excitement was gone long ago (for me)
ahhh the old mantra for me again………..
“Its not about how cool the car looks….its about the electrifcation of the auotmobile”
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (8:22 am)Love the “nerd shoe” reference Statik…I have adopted the term from the first time you posted it…
Also nice how you call it a “mystique” AND add that it makes the Volt that much more “unique”…..with a wink-wink and a nudge-nudge
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:26 am)Hey!!!
You are not supposed to be posting here anymore!!!!
You promised!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:28 am)I would imagine that Maximum Bob would “target” idiots that are walking in the road….. He probably looks for the launch buttons for the sidewinder missles, just like on his jet!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:34 am)“Having the two pictures above side by side, I feel like i’m playing that photo-hunt game, looking for the differences.”
There are actually 10 things that are different in those pictures. Have you found the other nine????
Sorry, like nasaman, I couldn’t resist…….
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:48 am)I noticed that the headlight bezels were a little different in that first video of Lyle taking it for a drive. Even though they were painted black, I could see a slightly different shape. I passed it off as just a temporary piece until the chrome reflector was ready that would be the real piece to replace it.
Just like the “what’s wrong with this picture” puzzles for my 8 year old, I can now see what you mean by design changes. It does look like the VOLT is dishing out less whipped cream topping and more plain vanilla. YAWN!
Yet another reason I would like to see the EREV Cruze instead.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:49 am)It still looks like you could spear a pedestrian with the new design. Still…a fairly minor issue. I’m assuming the Acura Integra-style headlights are just for the IV?
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (8:51 am)Actually, I think the term for the original design was “smashing!”.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (8:52 am)Thanks guys. I should have thought of that darn photoshop.
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+5
Aug 26th, 2009 (8:53 am)Weren’t we supposed to have the EEstor units two years ago? Or was it last year?
At this point, I’ve given up on EEstor until they can do a verifiable public demonstration.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:56 am)Look closer at the headlights:
The finished car has projector bulbs with halo rings like the Camaro. The IVer has two small pockets with deeply set standard bulbs of some kind. Also, where the LED fog lights were on the finished model, those have been replace with round ones right off of an HHR.
Hopefully these are just temporary till the real pieces are ready.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (8:58 am)I actually think I found 10, but I won’t spoil it for the others who are just waking up and still looking.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:00 am)Hey Static,
Good to hear from you! Don’t be such a stranger. It’s also great to see BB posting here as well. That’s impressive!
I was afraid that the one pictured car with the “lines” on it was a “fit and finish” issue.
Be well,
Tagamet
/I’m wearing my Volt T-Shirt – must be Karma!
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:02 am)On the right car robin’s egg blue can look good. Larkspur Blue on a 57 Chevy Convertible has always been my favorite color for that car.
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+5
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:03 am)You got it, my friend. lol
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:08 am)So the new hood design makes the the volt ‘SBND’ to pedestrians…. (Silent But Not Deadly).
/note to GM marketing: Go ahead and use that one if you want, it’s yours.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:11 am)NZDavid,
A) Ditto on the statik comment – we need his (grumbly) expertise.
B) You’re going to hurt your tongue doing that stuff.
C) It’s probably a good thing that heads don’t get crushed on hoods. Surely it was a “funded” requirement (now *I’m* getting that way).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:14 am)Murry,
I agree about the electrification but, it has to sell too.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:16 am)I’ll take a new fluff piece over a tired, wandering day-old thread.
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+4
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:18 am)Jason,
Some people’s “disrespectful/negative” is a actually balanced critical opinion (with which you should be familiar).
If there was a poll taken Statik would be BEGGED to return. JMO.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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-1
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:20 am)Rashiid @ #2,
“YES!!!! The old style of posting comments? . . .. . ”
___________________________________
Everyone COULD show their support for the “old style comments” by just boycotting the “reply” button.
/Anarchy at GM-Volt.com!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:22 am)I gave up reading and posting comments because of the new style.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:23 am)Murray,
Statik is turning into a regular word-smith. Seriously, it does let the reader actually “get” the content more easily.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:24 am)Looking at the picture, how is that not a Dodge Stratus? Seriously, I just looked out the window at my neighbors 95 Stratus and its the same car. I wish they could bring back some of the concept car’s styling cues that we all loved.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:25 am)______________________________________________________
Fantastic Cheese
_____________________________________________________
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+5
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:26 am)Amen! Would ANY of us like to take over for Lyle and make DAILY *article* posts? I don’t think so!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:26 am)I heard that!
Sometimes they want magic for free don’t they?
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-3
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:27 am)Dave
+1!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:27 am)LOL. Hey, there’s always room in the English language for new verbs that are actually nouns, right? I guess I’ve been in the corporate world too long. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to leverage myself out of here…
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:28 am)I don’t know about “BEGGED”………
He can come back if he wants to, but the only begging I do is with the wife!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:32 am)Jim I,
Point taken (g). I was just trying to drive home my point.
That latter “begging” is what we call “foreplay” (lol).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:37 am)Holy cow. You’re right. It’s the shape of the trunk metal, that sort of integral spoiler, that really seals it. Still, I don’t think it’s bad looking. Most people want a slightly, but not hugely, unique looking car. The Volt concept design was straight out of a Speed Racer cartoon and would not have had large mass appeal IMO. This finished product is a more understated and more attractive car.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:38 am)Guyman,
Granted we’d all like to know those things, but why would GM want to release that info. They have been more transparent on this vehicle’s progress than any other car that I can remember. They need to keep holding SOME cards to deal out over the next year or so.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+5
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:38 am)Sometimes? I wish!!
Also, +1 to Rashiid for modesty and having a sense of humor.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:40 am)Me too!!
PS. You are not reading this.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:42 am)Relax, CG, they are only temporary. This has been covered before.
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:43 am)That GM is even concerning themselves with the European design standards is yet more evidence that they are aiming down the road to release it world-wide.
That’s great news for a vehicle that many said would never see the road – period
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+4
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:45 am)Daraktig,
While pretty much everyone here loves the ‘idea’ of the eestor cells, the repeated delays scream ‘vaporware’ loud and clear.
Nothing short of a independantly verified public demonstration will remove this doubt.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:49 am)______________________________________________________
Good article Statik…thanks.
Side Note:
The black roof detail in Statik’s lower comparisonphoto gives the car a sharp modern look. Thin film photovoltaic has significantly come down in cost…GM should consider applying thin PV on the roof section of the Volt as a STANDARD feature…it would enhance the look of the Volt significantly…contribute towards regulating cabin temp when car parked outside in summer months… helps keep batt pack at optimized temp when car parked outdoors in winter (otherwise ICE is required to start up to warm the batt)…provides big marketing points because of the cool PV factor…yes I know a PV roof is not practical to charge the t-batt…just do it GM…it’s the smart thing to do.
______________________________________________________
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:52 am)I was looking at the pictures and it’s become very clear to me that the black roof looks better than the painted one.
It’s not no black roof no sale… just sayin’
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Aug 26th, 2009 (9:53 am)Off Topic
This may have been linked to before, but I missed it. Raser did a test drive of their 200 kw powered “EREV” and go about 2 miles per kwh.
Oh what tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.
They said if they used the same method that Volt used to get 230 mpg, their Hummer would get about 190 mpg.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/08/h3e-20090826.html#more
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:53 am)Personally I miss statik’s comments, he cuts to the core of it.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (9:57 am)OK, ALWAYS… I was trying to be nice.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:00 am)Mike-O
“Not reading this” is technically called a “negative hallucination” – not seeing something that IS there (lol).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:02 am)Fluff piece?
I don’t quite take it that far.
We have pictures of the developing real car.
It’s a detail to be sure, but it’s better than nothing!
It’s a world car and therefore there will be modifications to make the car work everywhere.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:02 am)Great..
Now the hood looks like it’s styled from a 1985 SAAB 900..
I can get used to it.
I believe in function before form anyway.
And if it keeps some unlucky pedestrian from getting a brain injury, I’m all for it.
Of course that means fewer organ donor parts for the rest of us.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:04 am)I’m always impressed with the eye for detail that a lot of people have here. Then again, I can never “find Waldo”.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:05 am)I -was- going to say something witty here, but I’m not sure I’m actually replying. Anybody seen my lithium tablets?
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:11 am)Speed racer x2 magnification, that thing was a boat!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:13 am)You funni
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:15 am)I want to believe..
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:17 am)Would you mind paying $5k for that “free” option?.. how about $3k?.. $1K?
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:21 am)Try here, Tag:
http://local.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Waldo,+WI&sll=43.043859,-88.043493&sspn=0.010413,0.01929&ie=UTF8&ll=43.677836,-87.95032&spn=0.020609,0.054932&t=h&z=15&iwloc=A
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:26 am)With 10% efficiency, only at a 37 deg. angle and 70 degrees F. brand new not packaged in a box on the shop floor for the rated efficiency, thin film would be just okay for the roof of my house.
At the angles of the Volt surfaces on a winter day, with normal wear, dust and scratches, even without shading, it would produce about the same output current as a dark paint job = basically nothing.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:28 am)Muddy
You be funni two.
Mike O
You’re a real wise guy (lol).
Be well to both of you,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:28 am)I personally liked the hood and fender cutlines on the original production version that was introduced almost a year ago.
Perhaps Lyle should have a poll asking if people like the “Production Concept” or the “Actual Production” version of the Volt.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:30 am)Very nice..
Van, 230mpg is not deception..
500wh/mile, drove 50 miles using 60% of a 41kwh pack.. the Volt gets 200wh/mile but that is to be expected from a larger, high drag vehicle.
What everyone on this web site wants to know is what is the MPG in charge sustaining mode?
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:31 am)Couldn’t help but notice the hood/fender seams during my commute this morning. Most vehicles sport the “spear then cut” pedestrian injury seam. Better look both ways before crossing the street.
=D~
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:32 am)That’s one more Volt for us. Thanks.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:42 am)Hard to imagine how insanely expensive it would be if this was done on the production tooling to stamp the redesigned parts instead of the IVERS. Kind of makes you feel for BYD if they have not built their models in compliance with expected FMVSS at the time they release the US versions.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:44 am)In a related news story today from Afganistan…
Al Qaida officials are ordering up all of the old style Volts with the decapatation hoods for use in “training exercises”.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:47 am)My point was using the methodogy, the Hummer which actually gets about one half the mileage of the Volt, appears to get about 85% of what the Volt gets.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (10:53 am)Rashiid A, I think you jinxed me. My comments disappeared. I refreshed a few times and they are back, but of course I can’t edit and the last one has no gravatar. I’m not happy about the lack of editing though, I already know I’m an idiot, but I was hoping to keep it privileged information, partly with the use of extensive editing!!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (10:57 am)Does Nerf make an EV?
=D~
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (11:00 am)It is a little better, but I just think the Volt does not look unique enough. I wish they would do away with the black paint under the window.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (11:17 am)The black paint is one of the “unique design cues” from the concept Volt.
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+4
Aug 26th, 2009 (11:27 am)I don’t care if the damn thing is painted like Apple’s early 2001 iMac “Flower Power” or “Blue Dalmatian” computers, just get it out the door!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (11:30 am)Thank you Bob @ 7:15 for your reply.
It is very helpful to have GM professional participation during the posts, so that there might be a minimum of unnecessary speculation.
Although deeply-thoughtful possibilities (in the spirit of helping) might help one process or another from the less-technically-involved customer and poster here, it is the totally unhelpful and vain negative stuff (maybe influenced from someone’s prescription) that makes for a complete waste of everyone else’s time and attention.
So, thank you again, all you very valuable GM professionals, in helping to maintain the technical integrity of our time spent here.
(Back to work!)
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Aug 26th, 2009 (11:40 am)You are not wrong on that point.
There IS a lot of unbroken area (at least in the photo) on that new hood. (bonnet to our UK friends)
I’m not suggesting a hood scoop, but ’something’ to breakup that large expanse of paint would be a welcome addition.
A subtle ‘ghost painted’ lightning bolt?? (just kidding)
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Aug 26th, 2009 (11:52 am)Paint the body of the car in Victory Red and all will be forgiven!!!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:05 pm)The last time statik showed up with a guest post, it turned out later that Lyle was off test-driving and stuff.
Is it so far out to suggest that perhaps, at this very moment, he is actually experiencing ‘charge-sustain mode?’
Quite possibly, we are closer to knowing gas tank size and mpg in charge-sustain mode than most here will believe.
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-11
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:14 pm)(click to show comment)
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:18 pm)I would say it is more of a design vestige. It used to match the dark roof, but now that is gone (?).
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:19 pm)Jackson,
It’s certainly possible that Lyle is away doing neat things, but we only have a sample of one. That’s not too much to hang a speculation on (but I certainly hope that you are right!). I think I’ll take a rocking chair up to I-80 and watch to see if Lyle is driving back from MI in an IVER. LOL, talk about speculation> I suspect that those pieces of info will be done with great fanfare (but I’m almost always wrong)(g).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:19 pm)troll
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:20 pm)Herm,
Sounds a lot like in Peter Pan…
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:21 pm)Ok I’m in.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:22 pm)A bit of humor is a good thing. Maybe us clowns should let the smarter folks handle the commenting? I suggest a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich with a cold one.
=D~
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:23 pm)nuclearboy,
Ewwwwww. (funny, but) Ewwwww.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:25 pm)Mike:
They got recycled.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:27 pm)Amen. You beat me to it there. LJGTVWOTR!!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:27 pm)It’s been long enough to consider re-posting the Fantastic Cheese item.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:28 pm)HA!!
My wife is the one that does the beggin (usually for me to get out from under the bed during a fight…lol)
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:29 pm)I agree that when statik is using facts, figures and computations, he present good arguments for whatever point he’s trying to make. However, his two guest posts at gm-volt.com have been rude and demeaning towards GM, its management and engineers / designers.
Lyle has worked hard to position himself as a friend / supporter of GM and the Volt, so I would hate to see that relationship undermined by handing statik the megaphone for some ham handed commentary.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:31 pm)jeffhre,
But I thought it was a WAY cool boat. I was one of the grumblers (kinda) when they had to change the aero dynamics, but this shape is growing on me too. In any case, the looks are nearly last on my list of “Why I’m buying a Volt” reasons.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+4
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:33 pm)Agreed troll.
but hey…if scrappy..if ROI is your thing, then there is no justification to buying a car, walk….bike, use a bus.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:35 pm)Maybe he’s just doing the odd spot of brain surgery to try to keep the bills paid.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:37 pm)agreed. Poor taste at best for gm-volt.com
Better placed at http://www.jihadwatch.org
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:40 pm)“Ham handed”? Now who’s being rude and demeaning?
On Lyle’s relationship with GM – I know that Lyle would do nothing that would jeopardize his relationship and yet having said that, he’s had plenty of articles comparing/contrasting the Volt with other vehicles.
In the end, Lyle has editorial control of the articles, so let’s give him some credit – rather than slamming Statik.
Be well,
Tagamet
/GM can use input like statik’s.
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:40 pm)Maybe they have some “Screaming Chicken” hood decals left from ’70s Firebirds. One of those would break it up nicely, LOL.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:41 pm)As do I, Muddy, as do I.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:42 pm)I could not agree more. I really don’t like it.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:42 pm)I think the point is that for the hummer, if it goes more than 40 miles electric (article claims 50 miles), it can get mileage comparable to the Volt.
For the average person, defined by the ANL statistics, the mileage will be 190 mpg. That sounds awesome.
Some will get less of course but someone who might drive 40-50 miles per day, they will get far better mileage than the Volt.
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:44 pm)Eeeek! They woke up. Here we go again.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:45 pm)He is driving!.. slow down Lyle!.. lets see if we can get 60mpg in charge sustaining mode, after all 45mph is legal in most highways.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:46 pm)Sorry to be off topic, but I can’t resist. If you go to the MSN.com home page at the moment, and scroll about halfway down to “MSN Autos”, you will see our 1917 Chevy going down the corkscrew at Laguna during the recent Montery Historic Automobile Races.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:47 pm)Herm,
Easy to say, but tough to do If we were the ones driving an IVER from MI to NJ! Maybe after the first tankful went by…..
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:49 pm)It is good that it meets European safety standards.. it should already meet pollution standards all over the world.. a truly universal car.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:51 pm)Make the flames lightning bolts and you might have something!!
/I’m kidding… REALLY!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:51 pm)nuclearboy,
That’s not a site I visit, so I’ll trust you that it’s more appropriate there than here. We’re all guilty of brief lapses (after all most of us are males).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:52 pm)You guys need to get over that concept Volt.
IMHO that little exercise did far more harm than good. I heard about the Volt before I ever saw it. Make it look unique, and make it look good, without constantly looking back over your shoulders at something that was never, ever going to be mass-produced.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:54 pm)I did not like the concept, too much boy racer look, perhaps if it had been a different color.
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+5
Aug 26th, 2009 (12:56 pm)Oops. I forgot to type /joke and /end joke around that.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:58 pm)We’re going to miss you guys.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (12:59 pm)ohh, I agree.. using a small turbo 4 cycinder as a range extender should improve the efficiency/mileage of a light truck or Hummer. Its good that these parts are becoming available.
This should make a Voltec pickup a little closer to reality… keep it simple GM, a 200kw motor at the rear differential and a generator hanging off the back of the ICE… and try to use Volt inverters if possible. Not every pickup has to be able to tow, and they benefit from a bit of extra weight in the back.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (1:00 pm)You are very likely right!
I do see where CDAVIS is coming from though, it’s the message that having the solar fan on the car conveys much more than any tiny amount of power the solar cells might generate in reality.
Not to mention that having a little fan removing the ~10000 c air (seat of the pants guesstimate of temperature) from inside the car on a sunny day would be great!
Assuming they can do it for cheap.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (1:05 pm)Herm,
That;s what my wife said. Seriously, she actively disliked the concept’s looks, so this one makes life easier.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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-10
Aug 26th, 2009 (1:08 pm)(click to show comment)
Aug 26th, 2009 (1:10 pm)That my friend is a very cool ride!
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-11
Aug 26th, 2009 (1:11 pm)(click to show comment)
Aug 26th, 2009 (1:33 pm)Noel,
Cool! I bet that wreaks havoc replacing the brakes. I bet to go UP that hill you’d need to be in reverse!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (1:43 pm)Muddy:
Thanks.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (1:48 pm)OK I admit it, I would like to have one conceptually, though pragmatically I know it would do little good at all. I wonder how people like their cooling fans in the new generation Prius and how effective the solar power in summer heat.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (1:51 pm)It only has brakes on the rear wheels, LOL. The good news is that it’s so slow that you hardly use the brakes, at least if you’re used to racing Corvettes. Actually, you slow down at the top, about 150 feet back up the road, and go down through there with a bit ot throttle on. At the point of the photo, Im just starting to put the throttle back down to the floor.
The climb up the back to the top of the Corkscrew is darned near as steep, and the car will climb it at 2500 rpm in direct drive, which is 60 mph, as near as no matter.
That old Chevy will shock a lot of the usual suspect Model Ts for sure, hehehe.
Anyway, we’re doing our best to keep the flame alive.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (1:52 pm)Too late! No soup for you!
Errr… No Volt for you, & I moved up place in the line up for a new Volt.
Insert appropriate smiley face here…
That having been said, I am kind of beginning to think that GM may be getting to the point that they are comfortable with the life expectancy of the battery pack, and are going to sell it at $32,000, since they don’t have to price two packs into the MSRP.
How is that for an attempted thread hijack?
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Aug 26th, 2009 (1:57 pm)See, like I always said, you’ll get great mileage in a Hummer if you’d only… remove the big V-8, replace it with a turbo’d four, add; a big battery with a plug, a powerful electric motor, regenerative brakes and $50,000 to the price tag, no more – no less. At least that’s what I always said
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (1:58 pm)I, on the other hand, like it.
I thought that the previous hood looked a little jazzier, but I would guess that the new one is a little cleaner from the aero standpoint. I don’t see how the little vertical lip at the back of the low section of the old hood was doing anything for the airflow.
But of course I think that the “barge boards” and other goofy winglets on modern F1 cars look counterintuitive, so what do I know? Of course, they are trading drag for downforce, so maybe that’s the difference.
Anyway, I don’t care if it looks like a 1917 Chevy if it gets 40 miles AER and 50 mpg on the ‘range extender”, LOL.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (2:08 pm)No, you’re not in, cause you just used the reply bu. . . . ……ah crap!
/ see my post @ 33.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:12 pm)Dorp7 @ 21.
You are NOT “in” unless you comply with strict, regimented GM-volt.com anarchy prodcedures.
These rules stricly forbid you from using the reply button.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (2:13 pm)We’re on the same page my friend.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (2:18 pm)Sorry, Tag; I should have left optimism to the trained professional!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (2:21 pm)Daraktig:
EEStor has been a topic of speculation here for years. Over that time, we have been consistently disappointed. It is the company’s move to change our minds, if they can.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:24 pm)No replying. Got it. Since when do anarchists have rules?
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:24 pm)The robin just flew over my car–ut-oh, looks like a foot of snow on it now. Could use GM’s ultra car wash and Sponge Bob.
Then Sham Wow.
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+2
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:25 pm)230mpg is not deception..
_______________________
On the big GM forum, I pointed out conditions which the 230 was indeed realistic and got accused of trying to discredit Volt. What the heck?
It’s the lack of detail causing problems.
We need far more attention placed on operational aspects of Volt. Misconceptions & Assumptions are working against efforts to support. The message is painfully difficult to convey without detail readily available.
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-12
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:26 pm)(click to show comment)
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:41 pm)This is GREAT! anarchy rocks!
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:42 pm)Lyle – are you going to update your little Volt at the top of the page to match the new hood design?
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:43 pm)Noel, That looks fun. Kinda reminds me of taking my ‘59 TR3, topless, up to Long Grove, IL in January. Had on my ski goggles and a scarf, driving thru a blizzard. Musta looked like a snowmobile at first. The piping hot Irish coffee at Ye Old Town Inn never tasted so good.
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (2:45 pm)There is no reason for GM to take that risk. Early adopters are expected to pay a premium. For these early adopters, there will be a discount of 7500$ from Uncle Sam at first. Then, the price is expected to fall.
If the battery pack exceeds 10 years, and hopefully it will, GM will be quite profitable in the long run.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (2:48 pm)Jackson,
LOL, as well you should! I’ll have egg on my face (to coin a term) if tomorrow’s video is Lyle showing off his new IVER! (g).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (3:03 pm)I guess I stirred a hornet’s nest with that post (and link).
I am foolish enough to hope EEStor actually produces their energy storage unit. You have to swing for the fences sometimes and they (EEStor) are doing that for sure. It’s kinda like rooting for the underdog. Everyone’s written them off as either stupid or some sort of scam or fraud.
I know it’s a long shot but we will all be smiling (or is that “grinning an EV grin”) when/if they demonstrate a successful product.
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+3
Aug 26th, 2009 (3:04 pm)Statik,
I really appreciate this article. It has details about the car, a real answer, and I learned something about European safety regulations!
I’d call it journalism, but journalists don’t usually write so informatively…
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+1
Aug 26th, 2009 (3:10 pm)Without question.
But we’re just not going to get excited about or believe (yet another) press release.
Show us a real working product and we’ll accept it happily.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (3:43 pm)I have to say that I have sometimes wondered about Lyle’s “real” job as well. I would be a bit upset if I had a brain surgery scheduled, and Lyle cancelled to go talk to Bob Lutz or test drive a mule……..
Maybe things are different in New York!!!!
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-1
Aug 26th, 2009 (3:51 pm)Love the new pelican mouth!
GO VOLT!
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Aug 26th, 2009 (4:29 pm)I know what you mean. Once bitten twice shy.
To me, it matters very little what technology emerges as the dominant format. Just as long as we get away from using oil and gas.
I wouldn’t even mind paying a monthly fee to use something like this:
http://www.witricity.com/pages/news.html
Wireless power (for both recharging batteries AND powering the Volt or electric vehicle) is said to be months away from being commercially available.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (4:45 pm)Great to know that GM is globalizing its products and that the security of pedestrians is taken into account.
And it is possible that the Ampera design is invoved see :
http://www.terra.com.ar/foto_canal.html?imagen=http://www.terra.com.ar/imagenes/originales/224/224545.jpeg&titulo=Terra&ancho=450&alto=300&nombre_canal=autos
Regards
JC NPNS
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Aug 26th, 2009 (4:57 pm)jeffhre at 10:53am
You’re perfectly fine with your structure. Everyone edits extensively. I sure do. I probably edit for at least 10 minutes before pressing that first “submit” button. Even if you have to craft your structure and additionally-refine what you want to share for 15 or 20 minutes more time, then that is certainly super-cool to take your time. That way, your mind sets up to gradually do it all slightly faster every time (by about a percent or two faster every time, so, take your time and enjoy refining. It really becomes more and more fun as you go.)
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-14
Aug 26th, 2009 (4:57 pm)(click to show comment)
Aug 26th, 2009 (5:14 pm)bob_boniface –Thank you.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (5:22 pm)I agree with your ideas but where you said “…less whipped cream topping and more plain vanilla..” you might keep in mind that in fact vanilla is an exotic and rare flavor. There’s nothing like it, and it created quite a buzz in the USA when it was first introduced.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (5:25 pm)Prius solar roof is in very high demand.
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-1
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:10 pm)Every time a Prius driver stops someone will say, “Hey looks good, but how long will it take to pay that back.”
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Aug 26th, 2009 (6:14 pm)But Dan sometimes I’m in a huge harry to get my thoughts down as electruns
Thanks for the kind words though. Is anyone else having trouble with the new version of Firefox?
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-9
Aug 26th, 2009 (6:21 pm)More tax payer money to be wasted in the billions to sell something 80% can’t afford.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (6:39 pm)jeffhre at 6:14pm.
Yes, me too. It might be firefox or something else. But what I am seeing is that clearly there are programming efforts underway to help us have a better and faster running program. I used to be somewhat frustrated with the ongoing (right nowadays) changes, but I am absolutely certain that the background attempts to improve are well-intentioned and will eventually succeed in improving everything for us.
I’ve decided to just re-post when the software makes mistakes. I don’t at all think an individual is backgrounding activity, just the ‘net-guys trying to make things run better.
Now, if only my email would be able to work (NOT!!). There is so much garbage and ridiculous requirements to “reset” passwords all too frequently, that I have given up on receiving any email a very long time ago. [WHAAAT??... GASP!!] (And, I don’t miss it a bit).
(Anyone who needs to talk to me has my landline number or can look it up in Austin). That’s another reason why I like this site, because I can post without needing that pesky email-waste-of-time.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (7:05 pm)Footnote to above post.
I’ve measured how much of my “daily-intellectual-effort-capacity” (in the form of an “effort budget”) that e-mail usurps, and, e-mail can usurp as much as 70% of your daily intellectual capacities with mostly unsubstantial content and garbage that I have no intention of even sorting out.
I have no intention also of arriving at a shop being even slightly or significantly drained to any extent whatsoever from garbage that would arrive every day electronically. This is one way I stay successful, having more control of what gets onto my desktop. You are FAR, FAR, FAR LESS in control of your environment by accepting email, not more in control of it. E-mail is for corporate America to access you whenever it wants.
Not me.
All that matters to me with this internet is doing what I can to help get Voltec on the road, and help others better understand it however I can.
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Aug 26th, 2009 (7:24 pm)No such luck, just trying out new ideas. There are no rules on blogs as far as I know, everything winds up being an experiment
If anyone else want to write guest posts, feel free to email me at chevyvolt@gmail.com
BTW I’m a neurologist, not a neurosurgeon, so I actually don’t do any surgery. GM usually gives me enough notice for planned trips that I can adjust my schedule.
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