The two recent media test drives of the Chevy Volt’s in charge sustaining mode were seen as positive by 85% of GM-Volt.com readers.
Both reporters mentioned however that they could occasionally notice the generator revving after charge sustaining mode was well under way, though neither coud detect it when it first came on.
I was able to communicate with one of the reporters, Lindsay Brooke of the New York times, about his experience.
“Yes, when the ICE first kicked in (on an uphill climb) I could neither hear nor feel its engagement,” he said. “It was completely seamless. I only noticed it because I was keeping a close eye on the cluster—the icon noting battery charge changed over to the icon showing a gas pump which denotes the switchover and how much range remains using the generator.”
“The reason the ICE generator engages at random times is due to its current control regimen for charge-sustaining mode,” he said. “As the quote from Tony noted, the controls engaged the generator, then shortly thereafter called for another of the pre-set charging speeds (rather like, “Oops, I needed more juice than I previously anticipated.”).”
“It was not in situations where I was flooring the pedal, which as you know has no connection to the ICE’s throttle control. Nor was it necessarily in heavy-load situations. A couple times the ICE engaged when the car was going downhill, under what would be light load in a conventional vehicle,” he said.
Brooke added, “I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised when we drive the production-spec car.”
Andrew Farah, the Volt’s chief engineer explained to GM-Volt,” there are still points at which operation of the engine generator is more aggressive than we want it to be, and we want to make it operate less aggressively.”
He says the engine never generates more power than the car needs but may generate it more quickly than necessary. Engineers are able to vary power production by both varying the engine’s RPM and its load, and that along the RPM-load plane there is the third dimension of efficiency which has to be taken into account.
These variables are distinct from the NVH (noise-vibration-harshness) component which is what the customer actually perceives. The team must work within the constraint boundaries of the “NVH ceiling” at the high end and the permissible limit of dip into the battery reserve at the low end to achieve the lowest NVH possible at all times.
It is still at this point a work in progress.
Farah also notes that they don’t let the engine to run at all at low speeds because there is less ability to mask its noise.
Overall, 99% of driving in the integration prototypes is without audible engine noise, there are rare ocassional spikes of sound that the reporters noticed, which will be ironed out in time for production.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 6:59 am and is filed under Engineering, Performance, Prototypes, Test drive. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+10
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:13 am)Of course they are still working out the kinks in this system. It has never really been done before!
I expect this will continue well after the release. The best method would be to have software changes downloaded through OnStar, and be invisible to the users. If they require a visit to the dealer for every software change, the owners will get upset pretty quickly.
JMHO
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:19 am)The development team seemed to make things difficult for themselves by making the car so quiet. Now, noise from the engine that would barely be noticeable in a conventional car is a major issue in the Volt. I wonder if they’re going to use the active noise cancellation from the Terrain and Equinox.
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:28 am)The sound system in my truck is nearly unusable at freeway speeds. Looking forward to getting away from gasoline banger and excessive wind noise. GM’s focus on customer satisfaction is encouraging.
=D~
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:28 am)The active noise cancellation from the Equinox would not cancel out a major engine ramp up.
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:29 am)Just about all refinements likely will be finalized before sale, I’d bet.
A slow ramp up instead of immediate spikes isn’t a really hard thing to do, just the timing of the need and extent of it in a large variety of situations that would need to be anticipated.
Self learning for the driving characteristics of the terrain might also be included in the code.
I hope active noise cancellation IS NOT used. I want to be able to get to know all the normal sound characteristics and not have an automated situation where the
“Volume control on the radio fixes the problem [sic]“.
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:33 am)This does seem rather far along and encouraging. It should be really refined by the time I ever see a \VOLT in Nebraska. Probably 2014 or so. Maybe then I’ll be able to afford one.
+7
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:35 am)“which will be ironed out in time for production.”
I would buy one with or without the engine noise issue.
I am surprised that they apparently ramp the engine so quickly and especially am surpirsed that this is still an issue at this time in the development.
As a corrollary, after all of the 2010 Equinox development, the electronic transmission shifting logic was apparently not ready for prime time when the car was released. Then engineers liked it but drivers complained. The logic was updated on the assembly line after a few months and the upgrade has been made available to those who complain properly at their dealers. The point is, sometimes you just never get it right until you have 10,000 potential critics pointing out some issues.
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:37 am)Very good! Things really are coming together pretty well. I’d guess that it would be more difficult to tune the Cadillac when they work on it. Gee, maybe they actually are working on successor cars. The various test points are probably valuable input to a database that can also be used with more powerful traction motors, gensets, 2-mode transmissions, etc. I’ll bet that GM even has a Voltec simulator of their own! Maybe Lyle could unearth some info in this area (future vehicles)? I followed someone’s link the other day to a video on the GM “hy wire” car. Absolutely fascinating! The future is near.
+16
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:40 am)Worm’s eye view of the Volt is pretty nice.
A little noise 1% of the time, no gas 75%…hmmm…what to choose…what to choose?
+11
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:44 am)As a software developer, I know this is EXACTLY the case.
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:45 am)I hope costs go down enough that they can build a truck or decent sized SUV. (3000lbs towing…) Hoooraayyy for the future of electric drive vehicles! Now I can’t wait to see one on the road!!!
-1
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:48 am)All they need to do is have the ice come on a little earlier say 35% charge instead of letting it go down to 30% so they have a buffer zone where there would be no need to rev the ICE so high.
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:51 am)Check out Razer website, the are converting Hummers and other large gas hogs to electric 40 Miles all electric range. I agree get he gas hogs off the road first, there are plenty of Eco-box mini cars already.
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:58 am)Why don’t they make it a three tier system and add it into the software (economy, normal & power) or something like that? So the sound of the generator will be more aggressive.
+12
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:59 am)Lyle, today’s topic is an excellent example of how you often so effectively penetrate into issues of concern —great choice! Your interview with Brooke clearly illuminates the NVH versus engine RPM-charge rate tradeoffs needed. And the remark from Farah, that “the engine never generates more power than the car needs but may generate it more quickly than necessary” is really the crux of the matter. As Farah has been quoted here before, over the next several months his engineers will be tweeking the software to ““feather” the generator charging rate (as was done with the related 2-mode 2MT70 software) so the NVH should be completely undetectable without need or cost for active noise cancellation.
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:05 am)In other good news, the LHC is circulating beams of protons again and it is going so smoothly that it caught everybody off guard. I know, off topic.
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:24 am)It truly amazes me and comforts me to know that GM is listening to us, the customers, and making adjustments and refinements that will make the Chevy Volt an award winning vehicle.
This attention to detail and refinement will serve GM well and carry over to their other vehicles. It takes time to break down perceptions that have come into being since the 1980′s and this is the vehicle that could finally erase those perceptions. The Malibu and other recent cars are helping.
+10
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:28 am)Excellent article Lyle. I’m just enjoying the ever so gradual shift from way back when the discussions were about IF there’d be a Volt to now where we’re discussing ironing out some of the final issues like noice abatement/control!!
You’ve brought this whole thing a very, very long way.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:37 am)The company is Raser Technologies!
http://www.rasertech.com/motors-and-drives/products/drive-systems/series-phev-drive-system
This link will take you to their Series PHEV Drive System page. From there you can get to the one on the Hummer. I would like to see GM partner with them on the basis of what I see of their technology with motors. No I don’t have stock in the company although I wish I did.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:50 am)I guess what concerns me mostly about the “disconcerting noise” issue, is the worry that if this would have been a simple fix in the first place, none of us would even be discussing it now. I am concerned that this is more difficult to iron out than what GM is leading everyone to believe. Still, I guess we have to trust them and hope it can indeed be taken care of in time. Neither Lebeau or Brooke had an overall negative impression of the car, even despite this quirk that was experienced. So that is a positive.
Now its time for Lyle to get in the Volt and get the nitty gritty on this car.
+10
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:51 am)Great article Lyle – you’re turning into quite the journalist! You are not only gathering detailed facts, but when questions arise, you are going out and digging to get answers. The records of this site will serve as an amazing history of the journey to develop the VOLT.
The entire issue about ICE noise is centered on this quote: “It was not in situations where I was flooring the pedal, which as you know has no connection to the ICE’s throttle control. Nor was it necessarily in heavy-load situations. A couple times the ICE engaged when the car was going downhill, under what would be light load in a conventional vehicle,”
The reality is that we, as auto consumers, have always associated engine noise with throttle position. When we press the accelerator, we expect engine noise to increase proportionally. The VOLT will shatter those expectations – and we will simply get used to it. GM will definitely continue to tweak the transition to minimize the noise, but the fact is that engine RPM’s generate some level of noise – and as the genset works to recharge the batteries, there will be some level of noise.
This is more about changing our paradigm of engine noise inside a vehicle than it is about a HUGE developmental problem with the VOLT. In the end, the cause of all this discussion is the VERY REASON for the VOLT’s existence – to provide an EV that eliminates Range Anxiety and gets us off foriegn oil.
It’s all good. Go GM. Go VOLT. Bring it on!!!
+10
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:13 am)Dear GM,
Please allow us geeks the chance to choose the mode.
Mode options:
A) Old Fart mode – People that must have it feel and sound like their old car
B) Geek mode – for geeks that don’t care and only want what is most efficient and effective.
C) Sports mode – For those times where maximum power and charging are needed. Just crank up the ICE and run it hard so we have max power available. Like adrenaline mode.
D) Engineer’s dream mode – Anything you genius’ can come up with (can be several modes).
Thank you.
-Texas
+3
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:20 am)What they might want to do is to change the field strength on the generator instead of the engine RPM. It is a lot more quiet that way. JMHO
Take Care
Arch
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:32 am)Ok, a little on but off topic of how a difference can be easily adjusted for. The concern is over the un-expected noise of the ICE at times. This can and will quickly become a non-issue by drivers of the Volt. An example – I have a Honda Valkyrie (motorcycle). The Valkyries back rim (wheel) is wide enough to accept a 16″ car tire. Why put a car tire on a motorcycle? There are many advantages but that’s not the subject of discussion here. What I’m getting at is that the car tire is squared off unlike a motorcycle tire. This makes the Valkyries ability to turn like a motorcycle with a normal motorcycle tire on the rear a little different. On a normal motorcycle the bike will lean into the turn and start to fall over in a natural way. The force of the power being applied is used to keep the bike on both wheels and keep it from falling over. With a car tire on the rear of the Valkyrie the bike has to be slightly pushed into the turn, meaning I have to lean a little more than normal to get that square tire to allow the bike to lean. When I first put the car tire on, this caught me by surprise, even though others who had already done the conversion warned me about it. I didn’t anticipate the amount of change this required. After less than 20 miles on the road I was becoming very comfortable with the difference, and the added control (traction) the car tire was giving me. I’ve been riding with a car tire on the back for over four years now and am totally comfortable with it. I can push the bike into corners with ease and out maneuver smaller sport bikes (the Valkyrie is more a high performance cruiser). My point is that with changes in customary products there will be some surprises, but we are creatures of adaptation, we can adjust fairly quickly to different situations. With the Volt, people will very quickly become accustom to ignoring the ICE and enjoying the high mileage ability of the car. (For those who want to tell me how dangerous it is to have a car tire on a motorcycle, there is no need, I’ve done enough research and I’ve logged 20K+ miles with car tires. I will never go back to a bike tire on my Valk). If my Volt makes a little noise from the ICE, I doubt after a few weeks of ownership I will even notice it.
+7
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:51 am)Nice follow-up Lyle!
This site is the leading place to go for current Volt information. Even GM’s own sites have less traffic and less hard facts.
Great job!
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:56 am)“Farah also notes that they don’t let the engine to run at all at low speeds because there is less ability to mask its noise.”
Interesting! I was sure the ICE was running on a Volt stopped at a light next to me. I turned off my car, window down and I could hear something running no other cars around it was at night so lights were on and 45F so heat was likely on. I quess based on this I must have been hearing something else. If the engine is not allowed to run at low speed then it wouldn’t be running when stopped at a light.
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:00 am)Me too. I haven’t heard the word “bonus” at my job for almost 2 years.
Maybe that will change after the NEXT president’s economic plan kicks in.
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:06 am)LeoK said
“The reality is that we, as auto consumers, have always associated engine noise with throttle position. When we press the accelerator, we expect engine noise to increase proportionally. The VOLT will shatter those expectations ”
See yesterday’s posts. As long as we continue to refer to the ICE as “the generator”, there will be no confusion for the consumer.
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:31 am)That picture looks great! Makes me want it even more, now I just have to see what I want more in a few years; a new CTS coupe, a Converj, or a Volt!! Man decisions, decisions, decisions!
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:31 am)It’s nearly impossible to accurately detect small changes in battery charge level instantaneously. So the software needs to average the battery level readings over some period of time, perhaps 60 seconds.
However, it is possible to accurately detect the amount of power the electric motor is using instantaneously. Since relates more directly to the accelerator pedal, the user would be less surprised to hear the engine. In other words, the electric motor power consumption could be average over a much shorter period of time, perhaps 5 seconds.
So the ICE control software should make adjustments for motor power consumption faster than battery charge level. This would prevent unexpected occurrences of the engine racing.
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:34 am)Great !!
When is the 75% drive ? Is 70% drive over ?
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:41 am)Tracking the motor power consumption more closely than the battery level could also increase efficiency by lowering the amount of electrical->chemical->electrical conversion and the associated power loss.
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:45 am)You are likely looking pretty close to where the team is concentrating their work.
It does take time to get software right but there is certainly enough to get this issue worked through properly prior to production.
I am encouraged with this step forward!
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:55 am)How do you relate your absence of bonus with this president politics ? It would make more sense – and I’m not that sure I would agree with that link – to link your absence of bonus with the previous president politics. Heck, he had 8 years to implement his point of view, the current one only had a few months… and it’s his fault ? Really ?
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:58 am)OFF TOPIC
Based on looks, which do I buy, the Prius, or the Cat fish, or the Volt?
After thinking for about a millionth of a second I have decided on the Volt.
Back to topic
I think the generator noice will be a small problem to a few Volt owners but the majority of us will soon accept it as part of the way our car operates.
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:02 am)It does take a while to get used to the engine not being tied to vehicle speed. I bought a small Kubota tractor that has a hydraulic transmission (the engine runs an oil pump). Finally I found that the most satisfying way was to run engine at full throttle all the time. It has a 3 cylinder diesel engine and runs the smoothest at higher speed. You just tap into the amount of power you need for the speed you want to go. Not that I recommend this for the Volt. But you do get accustomed to the engine/speed disconnect.
+3
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:10 am)Lyle, excellent report, especially if we read between the lines. The generator never generates more than the car needs – translation, it never operates above the SOC level programed for ICE shutdown.
Sometimes it generates more quickly than necessary – translation, it sometimes generates more than the instantaneous real time load.
The report confirms the initial operating level is imperceptible, you have to look at the display to discern the gen/set is running. This initial operating point – low RPM, low generation – is not the only one utilized. And the second operating point is discernible.
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:21 am)Excellent article Lyle.
There are some who were wondering way back why it would take GM so long to bring the Volt to market. This illustrates the point!
I really appreciate the efforts of GM to go that extra mile and get it right!
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:25 am)Dems took over the House and Senate in 2006. I think you can find your problem right there!!!!
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:29 am)“Farah also notes that they don’t let the engine run at all at low speeds because there is less ability to mask its noise.”
Really? So if I drive for several hours at 15 MPH I can completely drain the battery because the engine will never come on at low speeds? I doubt that. There must be an override to that design parameter. I will bet if the battery is just below 30% the engine will come on at any speed. They are not going to risk battery damage.
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:29 am)#25
Second the motion. +1
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:31 am)Sums up the choice quite well, really. A +1 for that.
On the worms eye view, I was thinking the same thing, mostly because it gives a decent idea of what the car looks like in person. All the shots from the front make it look like a Corolla, which definitely does the design a dis-service.
Hopefully they’ll do as promised and figure out how to upgrade the interior. It would be a shame to ruin the very nice exterior design by cheaping out on the interior.
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:32 am)Really?
You want to play “Really?
The lack of bonuses is due to lack of sales.
The lack of sales is due to high unemployment, high ‘under-employment, the draining if savings accounts by corrupt banks and brokerage firms – hence no downpayment to buy a car, let alone food and shelter.
The high unemployment continues because the 1.3 TRILLION in bailout money has only helped the Wall Street Suits not to lose their homes in the Hamptons and their yachts in Florida.
And finally you and I continue to be taxed to create the slush funds that are used to bailout the wealthy while no significant increase in jobs for the middle-class gets created.
Yet you and those like you continue to blame prior administrations. I think you should kiss me. Like on Saturday Night Live, “I like to be kissed when someone is having the sex with me!”
-2
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:33 am)I do feel the gas motor noise disconnect with the accelerator pedal is an important issue to fix. I can’t however disagree with those who’ve mentioned people will adapt, which I feel will happen, but first GM has got to get those people to buy the car. That’s why it has to be fixed – the mass market of car buyers will resist having to adapt to things that interfere with their comfort level if they don’t have to. The disconnected noise will be an area of potential sales resistance, considering that two reporters who were operating independently of each other came up with similar feelings about it.
GM knows this and that is why they will smooth this out. The Volt was created to be the first electric car that won’t force owners to make major compromises with their driving habits.
Other subject: today I’m going to go check out the LEAF which is being shown in my area (SF Bay). I’m going to ask things like ‘what will it cost’, ‘how fast will it go’, ‘how long to charge the battery’…… does anybody have any other questions that might be good to ask?
+3
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:34 am)#34
Thanks. I was just going to let it slide, but I’m really glad you spoke up. Amen.
+9
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:38 am)Here come the politics and there goes the thread (sigh).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:41 am)Yea, I monitor GM-Volt, LHC, & ITER myself… all are technologies that have the potential to change our lives…
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:51 am)So the years 1994 to 2006 don’t count?
Admitting and accepting responsibility for failures are critical steps in any 12 step program. Blaming someone else for problems you created doesn’t yield positive results.
Case in point: After driving up the structural deficits by spending like drunken sailors and buying votes with tax cuts the country could ill afford — and justifying the resulting deficits with the claim that “Deficits Don’t Matter Anymore” (exact quote from Republican leaders) — Republican criticisms of deficit spending sound more than a little lame.
Spending more on Medicare, Social Security, and Defense while cutting taxes isn’t a credible plan for deficit reduction. The Democrats aren’t a lot better — they want to spend a lot more and tax a little more — but at least they are paying lip service to the fact that 2+2=4.
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:54 am)Although some believe that GM is not giving us CS mpg because it is low, I beleive there may be a surprise in store.
GM seems to be doing everything they can to make the Volt a technological showpiece. Low rolling resistance tires, low power draw accessories, 100′s of hours in the wind tunnel, 1000′s of hours of battery tests, etc.
To also demonstrate high mpg, but also low emissions, I believe they may be looking at HCCI technology for the ICE, as it is the perfect application with its limited speed and power range. Here is an article from about 18 months ago.
http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/researchdevelopment/a/HCCISaturnAura.htm
So could you detect any slight noise or pinging from the Volt that might suggest that GM is using HCCI?
+9
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:03 pm)What Tag said.
Ya’ll have a nice Thanksgiving …
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:16 pm)“He says the engine never generates more power than the car needs but may generate it more quickly than necessary. Engineers are able to vary power production by both varying the engine’s RPM and its load, and that along the RPM-load plane there is the third dimension of efficiency which has to be taken into account.”
_______________________
This paragraph makes it sound like the battle is being waged between NVH and fuel economy.
+5
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:21 pm)Jackson, et al.
Have a GREAT Thanksgiving! We all have a great deal to be thankful for.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
-1
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:24 pm)Folks, CNN has an article about GM becoming owned by the Chinese. It also speaks highly of future models of cars coming out, especially the Volt.
+5
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:31 pm)Regarding the mileage in CS mode:
1. Most city driving (commuting, running errands, etc) will be all electric.
2. Therefore city MPG in CS mode does not have that big an impact on overall fuel consumption.
3. Most highway driving (longer commutes, long trips, etc) will include CS mode.
4. We have been told that the Volt will have mileage better than any similar conventional ICE car in CS mode.
5. The similar size Chevy Cruze will get 40+ MPG using the same engine.
6. The Volt is a little heavier than the Cruze but the mass difference doesn’t matter that much in highway driving.
7. The Volt has a better drag coef. than the Cruze which is much more important at highway speeds.
8. The Volts engine is optimized for efficiency while running the generator.
Therefore in CS mode the Volt should definitely get better gas mileage than the Cruze although maybe not as good as a Prius.
+9
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:32 pm)Oh boy, politics! Let me grab a lawn chair, a mt dew, and some popcorn. I could watch this all day!
In the end, Ross Perot was right – foreign labor is sucking the life out of our economy. How do you compete with $1.00 an hour labor in China? Make $1.00 an hour yourself. And we would live just like they do in China. WE NEED manufacturing jobs.
My suggestions?
1) If you sell in here, make it here. On US soil. At US wages. Under US OSHA laws. Paying US taxes. Then we can talk about fair trade.
2) Make unemployment closed ended. You work X amount of quarters, you get X weeks of unemployment. Knowing that unemployment check in your hand is the last one you’ll get – now that’s incentive to find work.
3) Give everyone the same health care plan that Congress and federal workers have. You have a choice of health care providers. If you lose your job, it would continue until you get another job. Not only is that fair, but that’s as close as I want gov’t to get to MY health care.
Of course, I can’t expect Obama to do anything. After all, he’s been tied up in a closet by Bush for over a year. How can he do anything? LOL
+3
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:35 pm)______________________________________________________
Excellent info post Lyle…thanks! That’s a sweet graphic of the Volt.
Is that Lyle in the driver’s seat?…lol.
I agree w/ those saying that the IR gas generator RPM characteristics should be subordinate to fuel economy. IMHO, Volt owners will quickly get over (and be gladly accustomed) to the generator RPM not following the pedal…although elongated feathering curves (i.e. 50rpm/sec) between generator up/down RPM shifts does make sense to make RPM shifting less of a noticed event.
Big thumbs up for the Volt Development Team for allowing us Volt fans (vis-à-vis reporters) an early peek of the Volt in IR mode before fully refined…that goes a long way in making Voltec Heads like myself feel we are a part of the project…promoting this type of development inclusion is very smart way for GM to build “grass roots” fan loyalty.
I wish a happy Thanksgiving to all of you Voltec Heads…especially those of you in the military having to celebrate away from family.
______________________________________________________
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:39 pm)This is how it is done in all large utility generators. The primary mover (usually a turbine) runs at a constant speed to create steady 60hz power (in the US). The output of the generator is controlled to maintain a constant output voltage by varying the generator field strength and the power output of the generator is controlled by the throttle of the prime mover. In the Volt this could allow you to run the engine at a single efficiency point which does not result in NVH problems and still vary the power output of the generator.
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:43 pm)That’s a good point but, if they do that, it will require more EMF & current to increase the electromagnetic Flux through the stator coils. That power required to do this will have to come from the batt pack. Increasing the rotation of the ICE will do the job and will require more gas to be burned but will not require energy from the batt pack.
This is where I think the genset should’ve been coupled together with a CVT. This would narrow down the RPM ranges closer to a slow humm but will have enough torque to force the generator. It also would keep the ICE operating at it’s most efficient range rather than many other ranges in the delta of 1k RPM or more.
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:49 pm)Great report, Lyle.
I love the fact they are trying to make the car very quiet.
I hope I don’t hear much road noise either.
This is awesome.
-1
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:51 pm)Ok Let me make this simple for you. Were you better off before the Dems took over the House & Senate in 2006 or are you better off now??? The problem is the Rs suck but the Ds SUCK A LOT MORE!!!!!
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:52 pm)Threadjack I suppose but still GM related news.
It’s being reported that Koenegsegg just pulled out of the deal to buy SAAB. The brand’s future is now up in the air (of course). I think I remember a thread on this site a long while back that described all of Ko’s audacious plans for Saab, and how they were going to do all of these exotic hybrid things with their cars. Wonder what happened.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/breaking-koenigsegg-backs-out-of-saab-purchase-brand-future-up/
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:58 pm)The problem is that the ICE must operate at ~4000 rpm to produce the 53 kW needed at full power, and can then operate at lower speeds for lower settings.
So your CVT could keep the generator in a more narrow speed range, but the ICE would still need its full speed range of 1200 to 4000 rpm to provide the needed power.
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (12:59 pm)At this point I just don’t know. I see Volts every day so I will let you know when I know more.
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:00 pm)#60
Were you better off under Clinton or Bush?
+8
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:02 pm)I’m actually kinda sick of hearing about engine noise. I don’t really care, electrify me please!
Right now I hear engine noise because I have an engine, whether it be at 600rpm or 7000rpm and I feel vibration at any rpm.
Will we be that spoiled with silence that a little noise and vibration will bother us that much? You asked for it people, you wanted the happy pill for range anxiety. So far, this is the best one (from GM)!
And BTW, the pedestrian horn is a joke (not just because deaf people won’t hear it). A safe driver wouldn’t have to let pedestrians know they are coming because they wouldn’t be driving so stupid to have to warn those around them that they are coming. Might as well have airbags surrounding the car and flashing lights!
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:08 pm)Just thought of an easy way to fix the sudden engine noise problem.. just have the stereo system pump a simulated engine noise into the cabin.. start it low a few seconds before the genset comes on and ramp it up gradually.. either that or put in a bigger muffler.
Politicians suck, all they do is pander.. and the democrat politicians are the worst, they pander to stupid people!
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:08 pm)The real power over spending is in the House and Senate.
A vote for any Dem in 2010 is a Vote for Nasty Nancy!
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:16 pm)4000rpm?!?!?!
Holy sh|t Batman!
4000 rpm to produce 157.73A @ 336VDC?
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:18 pm)I get the idea that you don’t have to be anywhere soon and can take forever to get there. Driving for several hours at 15 MPH is ridiculous! Buy a golf cart and save some money.
None the less, happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
+6
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:27 pm)That’s why nobody votes. If all choices suck, what’s the point?
Personally, I like the party split to be exactly 50-50. That way nobody can get anything done and leave us the hell alone.
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:34 pm)NPNS: that is true, No Politics No Sale. GM should has learnt this by heart by now.
+11
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:40 pm)I will add my 2 cents to the politics problem since I have been in the Govt for years. IMHO, the problem is that we are on teams. R’s overlooked the fact that Bush and his congresses were big spenders (Wars, new Homeland security dept, etc. etc. Budgets ballooned and the Ds complained about it) Now, D’s generally overlook the fact that Obama is spending and promising monies at an alarming rate that is unsustainable while the R’s complain. This has been going on for decades. Same story, different players.
With almost 3 decades in the Federal system, I can tell you that the spending just keeps going up and up and the size of our system keeps on growing exponentially. The spendigng growth far outstrips our growth in popluation. This growth goes on no matter who is in office.
When Newt Gingrich said they were going to slow down the rate of growth (not actually stop it or cut it), he was accused of everything from throwing seniors out on the street to taking food from the mouths of children and the public believed it.
The fault for our government run-a-mok is our team mentality that lets your team do idiotic things just because they are currently in power and “winning”.
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:48 pm)This engine doesn’t have any information on chevy’s site yet, but, their current L4 engines have max torque at 4900 and max hp at 6100. 4000rpm is just warming up!
I expect that at max need (such as floored going up a huge hill at the highest mph possible) that the generator would be running at max throttle just to keep up. I am thinking that this would be well north of 4000rpm.
The 100mph limiter will keep you from maintaining this level of power need. Other limiters will kick in as well (such as over-temp and over-rev). Anybody know the redline or other specs for a 1.4L?
+3
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:52 pm)CorveeteGuy,
You have alot of pent up anger because of the $ billions given to WallStreet which hasn’t helped the unemployment situation. I understand your anger. It upset me too but the fact is that 41% of the 2009 deficit lies with the rescues begun by President Bush. Only 18% is attributable to President Obama. After the Obama administration engineering the bankrupcy of old GM, we are now seeing the possible rescue of GM being a reality. The rescue money spent by Bush did allow them to continue on but did little to improve GM’s structure or management. The balance of the deficit involve 7% for Defense, 8% for Other domestic spending, 8% for Unemployment benefits, and 18% Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, much of which was already in the mix of things. Rising costs for various entitlement programs are responsible for the increase. Much of what President Obama has done so far has been for the middle class. I consider those laid off by GM because of the depressed economy. You are one of them feeling the pain.
There are new industries developing because of grants to green industry development. GM is a prime example; they have begun hiring back employees they let go, and the success they are having with cars like the Camaro, Malabu, etc.is a positive sign that the economy is turning around and headed in a positive direction. I hope and pray that the situation will improve fast.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again, somewhere in a better future.
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:56 pm)I’m right there alongside of you Larry. They are among my favorite topics. And I agree that they are all reasons for having hope in the future.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Nov 24th, 2009 (1:57 pm)http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/23/news/companies/gm_china/index.htm
Paging statik; statik please pick up the white courtesy phone …
Nov 24th, 2009 (2:08 pm)All joint in on that, Tagamet. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and everyone else.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Nov 24th, 2009 (2:12 pm)I am not suggesting that driving real slow for extended periods is at all likely but they are so careful about protecting the battery I am dubious that they would leave that exposure open.
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (2:16 pm)Gotta like this paragraph of Lyle’s post:
“Overall, 99% of driving in the integration prototypes is without audible engine noise, there are rare occasional spikes of sound that the reporters noticed, which will be ironed out in time for production.”
I think I could live with only having to hear/feel the IC engine only 1% of the time! That’s pretty darned good at this stage of the Volt development process. I bet the Toyota Prius engineers are getting a wee bit concerned about the Volt these days. Hopefully, you only hear/feel those occasional sound spikes when you are climbing a mountain or just flooring it to pass somebody on the interstate or a country road.
I bet GM will work hard to get as much of the noise and vibration out of the Volt as they can in time for the launch next year. They just need to keep on tweaking the control software and maybe add some high quality sound deadener materials where it needs to be. Like this stuff:
http://www.secondskinaudio.com/products/Sound-Deadening-Materials.php
I want those people at CNBC and the New York Times to write up some really good reviews of the Volt next year. The auto magazines and reviewers like JD Power and Consumer Reports too. Make them wonder if there’s an IC engine under the hood at all.
Nov 24th, 2009 (2:24 pm)Better than being government owned.. it would be fun watching the fights between the UAW and the Chinacom.
I will never happen, there are national defense issues to consider.
Nov 24th, 2009 (2:24 pm)That’s a GREAT pic of the Volt. But, has anyone else noticed how low to the ground that front deflector/spoiler is (under the front bumper)? I’m afraid this car will be bull-dozing much of the time, on rough roads, potholes, driveway approaches, etc.
Sure hope they can raise those “ground-effects” a bit without ruining the efficiency and range.
Overall, some VERY positive Volt news lately. The RPM spikes have put all my concerns to rest about a rumored mechanical linkage between the ICE and the wheels (from a couple of weeks ago). Compared to the complexity issues that rumor engendered, I **LOVE** RPM spikes. And now it appears that the RPM spikes are going to be minimal anyway. And really, I’ll be driving in “geek” mode, with occasional recourse to “sport” mode, so I wouldn’t care much about RPM spikes.
In a nutshell, great Volt progress lately!
Nov 24th, 2009 (2:51 pm)Great reporting Lyle.
I wonder if capacitors would aliviate the ICE ramp-up problem. They seem to be ideal for situations where a quick burst of power is needed, and could act as a buffer between the ICE and battery to smooth out the transitions to different loads in CS mode.
Nov 24th, 2009 (2:56 pm)This link at the GM Powertrain site provides details on all 2010 GM US car engines and transmissions.
http://archives.media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2010/gmna/10car_us.htm
The 1.4L is currently unavailable, however they do have a 1.6L engine from the Aveo. Max engine speed is 6500 rpm. From the Perf Curve, it produces 108 hp at 6400 rpm, and 105 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.
This torque calculates to 80 hp at 4000 rpm, or ~60 kW. Downsize to 1.4L and 53 KW seems about right.
+4
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:04 pm)Sorry guys…
I’ll feel better on Thursday after my fix of turkey and pumpkin pie.
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:06 pm)Here’s a “Q and A” piece by the same NY Times guy that Lyle talked to. There’s some interesting stuff I bet a lot of people new to this blog would probably like to know.
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/answering-your-questions-about-the-chevy-volt/
It’s a shame that Lyle hasn’t been able to drive the Volt in charge sustaining mode yet. Maybe the NY Times should contact him about writing a few articles about the Volt for them.
Lyle ought to be one of the first guys to get news about the Volt. I guess it’s understandable if he doesn’t since he has an important day job as a neurologist. Maybe GM figures he’s too busy or something. There’s just so much time in a day.
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:20 pm)“The trip computer said I got 260 miles a gallon over the weekend.”
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091124/BIZ/911240303/-1/NEWS
Holy crap. This is real-world mileage!
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:26 pm)#75
I dunno man, are you sure you don’t mean the red emergency hotline phone, LOL.
Our local school district just got a $12.4 million federal grand to upgrade their Chinese language program. I wonder if they know something we don’t?
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:29 pm)#64
I totally agree. That’s a better way of saying exactly what I was going to say before I rose to the political bait. Shame on me, I guess. +1
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:30 pm)Edit to #88:
#65, sorry.
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:35 pm)#81
Yeah I noticed it, and I LOVE it. Plenty of people in LA pay good money to have their cars lowered to that level. VERY cool!
LJGTVWOTR!!
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:44 pm)#86
Great link. Thanks. I dunno though, just because a 10 year old can figure it out doesn’t necessarily mean the some of us “Sr. Citizens” can. My wife invites the neighbor’s Jr. High kids over to program her Ipod, LOL. Which she then never listens to anyway, BTW.
And I would be lost in computer hell without my 20 something counter guys and mechanics to rescue me.
As Tom Leherer said about “New Math”, so many years ago:
“It’s so simple, so very simple, that only a child can do it.”
KISS!!!
-1
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:54 pm)Well, that opens a whole new realm: Pimp my Volt!! Hmmm, I wonder what replacing the shocks with hydraulic pumps will do to AER. I suppose if you spend too much time bouncing at stoplights the ICE will have to come on. But I want the hydraulics to be driven by the battery, no direct mechanical linkage to the ICE! But yeah, now we’re talking a Volt that will be ICE COOL. I’m down wit’ dat!
Nov 24th, 2009 (3:59 pm)Although I do not think it is a major problem, it seems like the author of the article is making a lot of effort to down play the problem. With such phrases as: “…occasionally notice the generator revving…” and “…99% of driving in the integration prototypes is without audible engine noise, there are rare ocassional spikes of sound…” All I hear is minimizing.
Being familiar with the engineering process, I know the Vehicle Engineers have found a problem and are finding ways to fix it. They have, what, about a year to find a solution….yeah I’m not too worried about it.
One last thing, I think the approach GM is taking is smart. An advantage to EREV driving is the relative silence (compared to traditional cars). Exploiting this, is just one more thing that will make the Volt appealing to the average consumer.
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (4:14 pm)The government owns GM. China owns the government. Ergo China already owns GM.
Nov 24th, 2009 (4:22 pm)Did anybody notice that the SAAB deal with Keonigsbergger, or whatever they are, fell through?
Jackson:
If you get statik on the hotline ask him what he thinks about that too, will you?
Nov 24th, 2009 (4:27 pm)#94
Well I guess that $TRILLION, some say more, of reserves they hold will burn a hole in their pocket sooner or later. It kind of makes me think of “Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream”:
“Cap’n Arab he started out writing up some deeds. He said ‘Let’s build a fort, and start buyin’ the place with beads.’”
Nov 24th, 2009 (4:32 pm)Since it’s not Thanksgiving in Canada this week, perhaps he can do Lyle a favor and make one of his guest posts. There does seem to be a lot of statik-a-riffic news piling up.
Nov 24th, 2009 (4:36 pm)There you go with your red phone, again.
It’s the white phone that’s for statik-picking-up only. There is no calling on the red phone.
Nov 24th, 2009 (5:04 pm)I commute about 30 miles in an hour (total for the day). Leaving me with 2kwh per day before I have to run the generator. Hey, I can have a 2 kilowatt RMS stereo running for that hour!! That would totally solve the generator noise issue.
(Even after you turned it off, since you’d be deaf by then
Still… tempting…
-1
Nov 24th, 2009 (5:16 pm)To make a county it may take 150 yrs but to spoil it , you need 5 yrs and Bush.
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (5:40 pm)Hey, some one had this thing about rolling out the Volt on July 4th “Independence Day”.
here’s a slogan 4 U, for July 4th 2011…
“End Dependence Day”
Nov 24th, 2009 (6:09 pm)Beer @ H( . y . )TERS!
Nov 24th, 2009 (6:10 pm)Things to be thanful for, this Thanksgiving:
We don’t get political “dialogue” like this very often, here.
Nov 24th, 2009 (6:12 pm)+1 for “End Dependence Day!”
Nov 24th, 2009 (6:48 pm)Have a Very Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
+1
Nov 24th, 2009 (6:50 pm)#103
Well I plead guilty as charged, but I still agree with you. In retrospect it’s better to just let it speak for itself. Nobody’s going to change their mind anyway.
BTW, and not related in any way to the above, where is LauraM? We don’t always agree, but her comment are always interesting, literate, and informative. I hope she’s just on vacation.
Nov 24th, 2009 (6:59 pm)Koenigsegg. Awww, I’m totally bummed about this. A Koenigsaab
would have been a wonder to behold. Could have been awesome or a disaster but nevertheless it would have been a wonder. Like the Quant. ( http://www.koenigsegg.com/pressreleases.php?view=16 ) I totally want to see them build that. That could be an wonderously awesome disaster all at the same time, even.
I think it’s good to have at least one automaker out there trying to push the bleeding edge of electrics right over the top… at 275 kph or so.
(actually, maybe we’re better off without any bleeding involved)
-8
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:23 pm)This is a very very loud and rough idling obnoxious ICE. Very poor decision to use this COTS engine. Should have design a smaller engine that was optimized for the task. This will be one of the first things to be replaced in future Voltec platforms. Engineer Up you GM morons. Even a bloody caveman coulda figured this one out. LOL
-10
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:28 pm)(click to show comment)
-10
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:40 pm)(click to show comment)
Nov 24th, 2009 (7:42 pm)Seems Inside line is going to post volt video on Nov 30, They posted a video saying they will post the drive video by Nov 30.
Wondering Lyle’s options
+5
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:19 pm)Wow, the water must be rising fast under the bridge, LOL.
-4
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:37 pm)Wow you must be really tight with Lyle. Please get a room and keep your activities private next time. Geeesh. Next time you might try to contribute to the conversation. LMAO
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:50 pm)BillR,
How do you translate the torque at a specific rpm to power? I should probably know this, but it eludes me at this time (read as…to lazy to look it up)
Never mind, I found it:
hp = torque * RPM / 5252
This link at the GM Powertrain site provides details on all 2010 GM US and transmissions.http://archives.media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2010/gmna/10car_us.htmThe 1.4L is currently unavailable, however they do have a 1.6L engine from the Aveo.Max engine speed is 6500 rpm.From the Perf Curve, it produces 108 hp at 6400 rpm, and 105 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.This torque calculates to 80 hp at 4000 rpm, or ~60 kW.Downsize to 1.4L and 53 KW seems about right.
+2
Nov 24th, 2009 (8:56 pm)Maybe you’ve already seen this one, but I thought you might appreciate it.
————————-
Sometime this year, we taxpayers will again receive an
Economic Stimulus payment. This is a very exciting program.
I’ll explain it using the Q and A format:
Q. What is an Economic Stimulus payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to Taxpayers.
Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.
Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.
Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a
high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
Q. But isn’t that stimulating the economy of Asia ?
A. Shut up or you don’t get your check.
Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US
economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:
If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, your money will go to China.
If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go
to Saudi Arabia.
If you purchase a computer, it will go to India.
If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go
to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
If you buy a car, it will go to Japan or Korea.
If you purchase useless plastic stuff, it will go
to Taiwan.
If you pay off your credit cards, or buy stock,
it will go to pay management bonuses that will
be hidden in offshore accounts.
Instead, you can keep the money in America by:
1 Spending it at yard sales or flea markets.
2 Going to baseball or football games.
3 Hiring prostitutes.
4 Buying cheap beer.
5 Getting tattoos.
These are the only wholly-American-owned businesses still
operating in the U.S.
Conclusion: The best way to stimulate the economy is to go to a ball game with a prostitute that you met at a yard sale and drink beer all day until you’re drunk enough to go get tattooed.
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:01 pm)I’m all for it, of course!
BillR: (abbreviated for your enjoyment)
The best way to stimulate the economy is to go to a ball game with a prostitute that you met at a yard sale and drink beer all day until you’re drunk enough to go get tattooed.
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:03 pm)T = 5250 (HP/RPM)
T = Torque in lb-ft
HP = Horsepower
RPM = shaft rotational speed
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:05 pm)Do the Trolls now realize that we can see the raw IP address of any post?
Funny, the IP address of 4 consecutive posts came from the same IP address.
I also ran a route test on that IP, and I can almost determine what city he/she resides in.
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:07 pm)Thank BillR,
I did find it, and I should have known this. My engineering background is in electrical, but I do have a little mechanical aptitude (key word is LITTLE…)
T = 5250 (HP/RPM)T = Torque in lb-ft
HP = Horsepower
RPM = shaft rotational speed
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:44 pm)Glad to learn you are not buying one. It’s one more for us. Thanks dude.
Nov 24th, 2009 (9:51 pm)If they are smart they use an anonymous proxy which tells you nothing.
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:21 pm)I think there is a market for a sub $10k car made in the US.. 5 door hatchback with a smallish engine.. but a quality reliable car. Make it electric when the cost is right.
Nov 24th, 2009 (10:32 pm)My 2 cents. People get the government they deserve.
-1
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:30 pm)Today was a good day and even the trolls were entertaining.
Nov 24th, 2009 (11:50 pm)Humm…so the communist party and the UAW would be the major stake holders in the company…so which one would be the “worker’s party”, and which one would be the “manager’s party”?!?
-1
Nov 25th, 2009 (12:23 am)For any given power output from an engine, there is a most efficient RPM to produce that power. Decreasing the speed below that point increases the fuel used so they’re not going to want to do that. At all times the generator will be commanded to hold the speed exactly at that most efficient point.
Nov 25th, 2009 (12:25 am)No matter where you put the engine start point, you can deplete it far enough to demand full power from the engine. The engine has got to match the average power demand of the car, and given a big enough hill the engine will be sent to full power.
Nov 25th, 2009 (12:35 am)You can’t get the full 76 HP out of the engine without winding it up to the higher RPMs, probably around 4500 RPM. The engine was probably running in the 1500 to 2500 RPM range when the reporters couldn’t hear it.
At 2500 RPM the engine is only able to produce something around 30 to 40 HP as a guess. To get more you’ve got to wind it up to higher RPMs.
This is exactly why a conventional car must downshift for more power. Consider a stick shift at highway speed… floor it in high gear and it slowly creeps up in speed. Downshift and it can accelerate far faster.
The Volt has a battery buffer so it can cover for the short bursts, but ask it for sustained higher power and it’s going to need the power that can only be produced by winding the engine up to high RPM.
If 4500 RPM is unacceptable, there are two options. Live with the far lower performance of a 40 HP engine; or put in a far bigger engine that will stay at the desired low speed and live with the efficiency penalty. GM is going to do neither and just crank it over at 4500 RPM when the power usage demands it.
Nov 25th, 2009 (12:38 am)I hope I’m not being viewed as a troll
My IP “location” is over 70 miles off so have fun.
+1
Nov 25th, 2009 (12:48 am)Reading some of these posts makes me wonder why people are expecting more out of a Volt than they are out of any other car? Take any automatic car a work it hard by standing on the throttle… the engine will rev up to high RPM and the shifts to the next gear will happen close to red line.
GM needs to keep the engine from suddenly jumping to the top of the RPM band to keep from surprising a driver. But there is no way to completely eliminate high RPM operation. Sorry, the same physics of any other ICE driven vehicle apply to the Volt once the battery is depleted.
Nov 25th, 2009 (12:51 am)No. Capacitors are only extra weight and complexity and don’t offer anything that the giant battery already offers.
Nov 25th, 2009 (1:11 am)Maybe we should ban excessive political discussions on this site… It is getting very annoying, regardless of whether or not I agree with the comments (I am not going to bother revealing where I fall on the political spectrum). I come here to talk about the VOLT!
+1
Nov 25th, 2009 (1:56 am)Lindsay Brooke, whom Lyle corresponded with, has also added a Q&A section on the NY Times site. It seems to lay to rest all the sturm and drang about whether CS mode has acceptable performance. In response to the observation that he hadn’t adequately written about the acceleration when the generator rather than the battery was providing electricity, he had this to say:
My test of the Volt prototype included numerous and varied elevation changes on the G.M. proving ground in Milford, Mich., including climbing a long 16 percent grade used for trailer-towing tests. The generator proved capable of propelling the car more than adequately in all driving situations. When in extended-range mode, the Volt’s acceleration felt similar to when the car was deriving its power exclusively from the battery.
Seems like the issues surrounding CS mode are not major and should, as Lyle suggests, be cleaned up before the first production car rolls off the line.
Nov 25th, 2009 (3:30 am)Too bad, it was like the local corner tavern + microbrewery buying AB.
Nov 25th, 2009 (6:12 am)Take a look at this video of the Michelin in-wheel motor system:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1uTR-8KarE&feature=player_embedded
Here is an article:
http://www.gizmag.com/michelin-active-wheel-production-electric-car-by-2010/10489/
“Each Michelin in-wheel motor weighs 42 kilogram (95 pound) and includes a 30 Kilowatt water-cooled drive motor of a similar size to a conventional starter motor. The motor has a spur gear that drives a rind gear on the hub. A second electric motor operates the active suspension via a gear rack and pinion that effectively replaces the normal hydraulic shock absorber “
Nov 25th, 2009 (10:51 am)I’m all for doing that. If it ties directly into the design or schedule of the Volt, then it’s relevant. Otherwise the discussion is a big distraction away from the purpose of the website.
I’ve had to exercise restraint and not join in as I’m quite a political person, but I recognize those who are making the more outlandish comments are just trolls.
Nov 25th, 2009 (11:26 am)#113
I could say the same for you.
Nov 25th, 2009 (11:33 am)I haven’t been able to open today’s thread. I anyone else having the same problem?
Nov 26th, 2009 (2:38 am)Hello Lyle.
Can you ask GM if there will be driver inputs to maximize the Volt? For example an input that says the driver is plannning on driving short, medium or long haul driving so the generator can react accordingly.
If you were driving 400 + miles or some long trip is it more effecient to generate power for the battery as you needed it or to charge it up and store the power?
Which will the Volt do?
Thanks for all the good information. I cant wait to drive and probably buy one. Thanks.