Comments on: Chevy Volt Climbs Pikes Peak

By: Streetlight

Streetlight — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:05:27 +0000

For an excellent (easy to follow) cover of this topic go – Google: ‘regenerative brake’, ‘Wikipedia’. See also US 5941328 (‘www.uspto.gov’ – ‘search patents’ – ‘by number’) This 1998 patent to Lockheed Martin is cited by 25 subsequent patents makes it very special. Once on the USPTO patent click ‘Referenced by’. This will bring up the cited patents. Aside from all this, know that Regen braking creates heat within and without the motor-genny; which dominates efficiency.

By: Helmut

Helmut — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:23:34 +0000

What Li Ion battery can charge as fast as it discharges? I was not aware of this fact and I’m pretty sure you’re wrong. Usually, charging lithium batteries beyond 1C results in fire.

By: Helmut

Helmut — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:06:18 +0000

It’s not an assumption if it reflects in a way that is perceived to be positive for the Volt. However, if you make an assertion that has a negative implication, then you are a blasphemer and the negative responses will rain down on you.

Myself, I believe the Volt will get 55mpg in ‘charge sustaining’ mode under all conditions, that it’s EPA rating will be greater than 230mpg and that the EPA number will be a conservative reflection of the car’s actual fuel efficiency. Also, I believe that because it has one a them ‘lectric motors with all that instantaneous torque that it will beat a ZR1 off the line no sweat.

The naysayers can whine that it’s a 4,000lb underpowered, overpriced civic competitor that will take the average driver 20-30 years to recoup the premium they paid in fuel savings, but they will be shown for the fools they are when GM whips out 10,000/ year every year until they are back in bankruptcy court.

Also, it totally doesn’t look like a GM’ish Prius, especially when viewed from the side. I can’t wait until my local Chevy Kommisar has a 2010 Volt that I can pay $32,500 (fingers crossed that the taxpayers will chip in $7,500 and the price doesn’t go up). I read they are going to build the Volt in China, not sure if that is true, but I hope they do, they really need to keep the cost where it is now, at par with full size luxury sedans. If it goes higher I’ll probably start shopping for a Porsche instead.

By: terryk

terryk — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:08:06 +0000

Why won’t GM release the *real* results? What are they hiding? All these questions would go away if they would just release the real results.

Come on, someone had to say it!

By: Mr. Lunchlady

Mr. Lunchlady — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:55:12 +0000

Most of the speed up Pikes Peak highway, the parts you care about, are very low, 25-30. There are also sections of the road that are still just dirt, though they finished paving the top section right after the International Hill Climb. As such, it is pretty easy for the engine, in low gear to make it up. Also because of the low oxygen content on the way up, the engine loses more the 40% of its rated HP.