Progress – as measured by a variety of definitions – is promised to continue forward on cue at the 81st International Motorshow in Geneva, Mar. 3-13.
There, scattered among such automotive milestones intended to thrill traditional aficionados, including Ferrari’s most powerful V12 ever, and an 1,100 hp supercar from Koenigsegg, will be a slew of EV prototypes, and nearly-ready for production electric automobiles.
The Rinspeed BamBoo Concept by Swiss designer Frank M. Rinderknecht features interior components made from bamboo fibers. The 2,398-pound 4-seater features a 54kW electric-motor and hits 74 mph. Range estimated at 65 miles.
As an aside, we think this is at least ironic, if not surprising considering we’ve all known people who just don’t know when the party is over. Despite the fact that more and more people the world over are calling for energy alternatives – such as provided by the Chevy Volt – many of the world’s richest still intoxicated by that black elixir, continue unabated as a ready market for some of the most expensive and gas-swilling automobiles ever produced.
But never mind that. The bright news for those who’ve already made the switch to the new paradigm is that it would appear the initiative spearheaded by EVs including the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, and others has not left some manufacturers resting on their laurels, and this week will be their chance to show what they are up to.
Not least of these will be Toyota, which along with continued commitment to its hybrid technology, intends to showcase its iQ EV. Details are few at this point, but the Smart Car-like, 4-passenger li-ion-powered city transport may offer a range of around 65 miles. It is speculated to be available as a lease-only option, and is undergoing testing in Europe now. No word if or when it or a vehicle spun off from it could come to the U.S.
Toyota’s iQ EV concept.
Not to be left out, Toyota’s nemesis, Honda, also has something up its corporate EV sleeve. Along the way to introducing its Fit EV in the U.S. and Japan in 2012, its “Road to Zero Emissions” will rendezvous in Geneva with its EV Concept car.
The Concept, Honda says, is stylistically an indicator of the direction it will be taking for its Fit EV. The sedate and practical prototype is estimated to deliver about a 100 mile range, be suitable for city and town usage, and has a five-passenger layout.
Honda EV Concept.
But before you think only functional EVs are being planned for, don’t count out a prototype by Nissan. Its Leaf has already been described as “boring” by one reviewer, but its Tesla-like ESFLOW will be anything but.
The Nissan electric prototype intended to test the electric sport car waters reportedly sprints from 0-62 mph in under five seconds, and achieves 149 miles on a single charge. The rear-wheel-drive two seater boasts low-mounted laminated li-ion batteries for improved weight distribution, leather seats, high-tech LED instrumentation, and composite body covers over an aluminum chassis that includes a roll cage.
Nissan ESFLOW Concept.
And if one more limited production high-end EV is not enough, how about one from Rolls-Royce? The elite brand will likewise be testing its clientele’s receptiveness to electric power with an all-electric 102EX Phantom. Naturally, it will be quieter than even the quietest Rolls or Bentley ever produced.
Other unique or odd EV creations to be seen in Geneva will include a topless electric Smart car, a UK-targeted Vauxhall, and a bamboo-bodied Rinspeed.
Some of these electric vehicles have been hinted at in the press prior to Geneva, and some will make their debut there. What’s interesting is that while the auto industry continues creating new limits of wretched excess, a refreshingly comprehensive selection of clean and green is definitely on the rise, making its impact, and promising more to come.
This entry was posted on Monday, February 28th, 2011 at 5:23 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+15
Feb 28th, 2011 (5:30 pm)Are you serious??? I saw this article like 4 days ago on autoblog.com What happened to the days of breaking news? daily updates,etc etc. Lyle I hope you were paid well for all you efforts. To the people that took over this website, FIX IT NOW. We want breaking news, in depth stories.etc etc. This used to be my number one site online. Now why even check it more than once every few days? Lyle most CEO’s stay on for a transition period. Did you not give any input or suggestions before leaving? Did you take your new volt and run? I will trade you all the lamas I can find in return for some help with the pathetic new volt web site. Please return in some capacity to restore it back to its glory days.
+6
Feb 28th, 2011 (5:35 pm)It is exciting to see these new EV’s being introduced in Geneva. The world will be demanding more electric cars when gas prices continue to soar upwards. Buyers will want more range, so the manufacturers better plan ahead and not have a bunch of unsold mini-range models on the lot. The Volt continues to be the best for the transition while waiting for charging stations to help lessen the fuel consumption.
+2
Feb 28th, 2011 (5:35 pm)jim perkins,
look up autoblog.com story feb 16th same story and pictures. FROM FEB 16th!!!! nice breaking news. Every story posted in the last week has been a copy and paste from another artical on another website.
+4
Feb 28th, 2011 (5:44 pm)It’s encouraging to see new EV’s coming from the world’s foremost car makers. I see no rival to the Chevy Volt just yet.
Now that the roll out is underway, maybe it’s time to peek behind GM’s curtain to see what’s coming next.
Volt 63
+4
Feb 28th, 2011 (5:49 pm)jim perkins,
Baby steps, Jim; baby steps. This beats all heck out of “how to tow your Volt” for 3 days.
+4
Feb 28th, 2011 (5:51 pm)
Feb 28th, 2011 (5:53 pm)Electric Fit: oooOOOooo! Where do I sign?
Electric Fit with goofy cartoon grin: Ewwwwww. Forget it. Way to ruin your best model, Honda!
I wonder if you could order the front-end sheet metal from the regular Fit and get an independent body shop to fix that nightmare?
+16
Feb 28th, 2011 (5:55 pm)jim perkins,
Actually, I was called in to help out today, and this is my first post here. I never saw the Autoblog story you say is copied.
What does that mean then? As a professional journalist, and knowing Geneva is coming up, I saw and put together an original story my first day on short notice, and did as good a job as Autoblog did and they are regulars to this beat?
Really sorry I missed their story, but this is not a re-write (which I still have not seen), I assure you.
We hear you that you miss Lyle. We are working on improving quality, and odds are we can.
Your patience and benefit of the doubt would be appreciated.
Thanks,
-Jeff
+4
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:00 pm)Since Captain Jack Sparrow appears to be absent today, I’ll be the one to say it:
I’d rather see topless Smart car drivers!
H( . Y . )ters waitresses only, please.
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:02 pm)Volt News,
When I clicked to this story, and went to submit a comment, the Name/Mail fields were missing, and it said I was logged in as “Volt News”. When I tried to post a test message it didn’t let me, but I thought you might want to know that something seems strange with the site’s functionality.
join thE REVolution
+1
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:03 pm)You’ve been around Captain Jack way too long Jackson. That’s exactly what he would have posted, LOL.
join thE REVolution
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:06 pm)NO KIDDING!!!
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:07 pm)ClarksonCote,
I am unsure why that would be. I believe the answer will have to wait until tomorrow. My admin help has left for the day (now 6:10 pm). Thanks for the heads up though
+2
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:11 pm)Cars like the Fit, Yaris, and Metro are what they are. Small lightweight economy cars featuring good MPG with mediocre acceleration. When a 5000lb vehicle is built powered by the Voltec energy system. And achieves triple digit mpg. The manufacturer is in line for The Car of The Year award.
=D-Volt
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:14 pm)True that; but why should their manufacturers beat them with the ugly stick, just because they’ve been turned into electrics?
Speaking of vehicle weight, I wonder how much heavier these electric versions are than their internal combustion engine counterparts?
+5
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:21 pm)The more the merrier, but I would like to see more EREV’s.
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:22 pm)Do the Rolls-Royce buyers get the $7500 tax credit.. LOL
Feb 28th, 2011 (6:47 pm)Volt News,
Not a problem. Feel free to PM me in the forums if there’s more information that I can provide if it’s of any assistance.
join thE REVolution
+1
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:11 pm)I for one want to keep encouraging the new owners to try hard. I don’t want this site to go away, even if it takes time to reach the skill and enthusiasm levels that Lyle brought to bare naturally.
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:11 pm)How ’bout a Citroën 2EV?
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:14 pm)How ’bout a Citroën 2EV?
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c25/bboaze/citroen-2cv.jpg
+4
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:16 pm)Volt News,
I 100% look forward to your efforts. I have been reading posts for several years now. I hope I didn’t step on any shoes. Maybe the tow truck article for 3 days got me all stirred up.
+5
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:24 pm)jim perkins,
No worries. It will take me a little while to get fully to speed. I hope to be able to speak with Lyle and see if I can get plugged into some of his sources, plus I’ve tapped a few of my own and am awaiting replies.
In the mean time, sorry if I post any outdated or already posted news. To be frank, news routinely is re-posted by many outlets, so first reporting is not the norm, and if we’ve never posted anything on a topic, I think better late than never. We will work to improve. Your concerns have been heard.
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:39 pm)Volt News – are you what we may call “an enthusiast” or a news-type person? An enthusiast is eager to put up breaking news, real info and share the stuff that makes the people who follow this page (or any similar product-centric page) daily. If it will have a future, news probably should be loaded up in the morning hours of 7-8am for the day’s digestion.
It’s hard to do it as well as Lyle who worked on Volt news and info for three years up until he got on the Consumer Advisory Board. If you’re not at that level of enthusiasm regarding the product, then the readers will feel that (and already are) and thus will start to let you know about it.
Since the Volt is “out” then the Volt is not a dream or fantasy anymore but rather a new product with new dimensions (lots of new drivers, potential customers and usage news).
Check out Electrovelocity.com – a pretty interesting site with somewhat regular breaking news on EV technology. solarindustrymag.com is a great site for Solar PV arrays (commercial and residential) and they put out a daily or bi-weekly blast of industry news to email subscribers. Those are good examples of how to drive interest in gm-volt.com.
You could even “virtually-hire” someone who has a volt to write a weekly column about their driving experiences or perhaps a Lyle-like analysis of their own views of the EV marketplace.
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:48 pm)kdawg,
I’d assume the would get the tax credit, but the rolls is a one off model. Funny question though
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:50 pm)WVhybrid,
I don’t want this site to go away either WV.
+3
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:54 pm)John,
Thanks for the websites and your views. It is quite obvious that this is a dedicated group, and many of you are very savvy. If I am not, I know you’ll know it. To answer you, I am both an enthusiast and a professional journalist, and have written on EVs before. We have not fully worked out all details of what my long-term involvement will be. I would not want to do it unless I could do a good job. I think it’s impossible to be someone before me, so please do not expect me to be. That said, I think I can bring value to the table just the same. Again, your patience and benefit of the doubt would be appreciated. Your constructive feedback would also be appreciated.
Feb 28th, 2011 (7:57 pm)I think Helena’s profile indicates she owns a Volt.
Feb 28th, 2011 (8:12 pm)Looks like somebody did it already:
http://www.2cvtv.com/Events/2009/electric2cv.html
+2
Feb 28th, 2011 (8:26 pm)Hi! I haven’t seen the Autoblog story, but, I, for one, think that this post is a big improvement.
Feb 28th, 2011 (9:09 pm)LauraM,
Thank you!
+2
Feb 28th, 2011 (11:49 pm)OT but very worthwhile: I just noticed that one of our most active, regular (and beloved) posters —Tagamet— hasn’t left a comment here today. It might be because he’s been pre-occupied on this particular day, which is his birthday, or merely like many of us checked the site early this AM and was disappointed to find the lead topic had not been updated.*
…Happy Birthday, Tag!
===============================================================
*Note to ‘Volt News’ (Jeff): Lyle almost always posted an update 7 days a week at around 7:30AM EST, and thousands of us have long been used to checking in not long after that. If you could somehow follow a similar practice (new posts 7 days/week as early as possible in the day), I know everyone would be grateful. …Oh, and WELCOME ABOARD!!!
Mar 1st, 2011 (12:54 am)To all of you who contribute articles, news, etc. Thank you! I am sure all of us appreciate the hard work Lyle did in keeping this site a “must read” for all of us, and while he has thoroughly spoiled us, we still appreciate all the rest of you too. Keep up the good work, and don’t be discouraged if a few impatient readers get a little “grumpy” when they don’t get their little morning “fix” of exciting Volt news.
The several years of excitement, enthusiasm, and anticipation of the debut of the Volt will change to a whole new type of interest for those of us who continue to follow this site. And I, for one, will still enjoy reading all the new stories you provide for us.
Again, Thank you!
Jerry, #536
Mar 1st, 2011 (1:03 am)So we think that posting a picture of a girl in a bikini will smooth people over because we haven’t been able to publish anything for days and then finally come up with a two week old story? Pathetic. I almost feel insulted.
FYI – the people who visit this website are much more sophisticated than the people who visit other automobile websites. People here are not blaming the government for higher gas prices. People here do not believe that “global warming” is a “liberal conspiracy” to get Americans to drive small cars and live like Europeans.
The new publisher of this website needs to give GM a call and get in touch with GM’s Volt marketing staff. The success of this website is very important to GM has it is a great way for GM to stay in touch with early adopters and learn about their experiences with the Volt. I’m quite confident that GM’s marketing department would be more than delighted to help out with new story ideas.
I worked for years for a major U.S. high tech company. We had marketing people and engineers alike constantly monitoring websites just like this one to learn about our customers’ experiences using our products. Likewise, there are probably numerous GM employees who are frequently visiting this site. I’m sure that those GM employees have a vested interest in seeing this site maintain the level of quality that Lyle set as a standard.
Good luck.
DWM
-1
Mar 1st, 2011 (1:08 am)You say this is a four day article Jim this is total bull come on if you don’t update us with the latest articles people of GM Volt than I’m outta of here let me know Jim if these articles are out of date once more thanks for letting me know! Also don’t believe in the Toyota IQ thing there parent company website Scion.com says on there site coming soon if you don’t believe me take a look the next time if your visiting Scion trust me once you visit there site you will be saying to the new people of gm-volt.com that they are bull period! Unless the Scion version is a gas car not sure? But I’m not lying at all trust me on this one!
+1
Mar 1st, 2011 (1:17 am)Totally agree nasaman we need the most up to date articles seven days a week and if that does not happen I won’t be happy now people of volt get off your lazy behinds and get to work and show us the good stuff! Not outdated stuff we already know about from a few days ago. Or cars we’ve already have seen in the past everybody agree?
Mar 1st, 2011 (1:26 am)What I meant by is that Scion will be releasing the IQ as the Scion IQ and I mean it no lies or buts I’m telling the truth if you want to know everybody. http://www.scion.com/#/iQ
Step 1. Highlight the link
Step 2. Hit copy
Step.3 Highlight the address bar and hit back space or delete
step 4. Press paste and then hit enter. Note) I’m not sure if this is an electric version of the vehicle but they should have mentioned about this vehicle what are these people up to boy do they need to do some research!
Mar 1st, 2011 (7:53 am)Smart also announced the arrival of their electric versions so now we have more EVs to read and comment about (and compare with the Volt).
Raymond
+1
Mar 1st, 2011 (8:19 am)Closing nasaman’s italics tag so no more posts will be italics…. Ah, that’s better.
join thE REVolution
+1
Mar 1st, 2011 (10:24 am)==============================
Maybe you could have him also look into why there are now so many problems with functions that used to work, such as line feeds, web links, and inserted pictures!!!
These really need to be fixed!!
-1
Mar 1st, 2011 (12:22 pm)Glad I was here for the good old days of gm-volt.com. THAT was fun. I always thought that once the car was produced, the excitement of this site would decline. Not sure where to go now to get another fix of the excitement. Wait until Volt v2.0 development news? Some battery site, as we all know that’s the core of the development?
What site(s) have you guys found that’s fun/interesting?
Mar 1st, 2011 (1:08 pm)
Mar 2nd, 2011 (1:07 am)This blog was the first and only one that I followed religiously, (may I say cultishly) and it came out of a unique time: the development and unveiling and subsequent release of a disruptive technology. Sure, Lyle was passionate and committed and I remember how it felt 4+ years ago when I first read his words.
Now, the Volt is out. Some of us have at least taken one for a test drive and fewer still own one. I don’t need to read another article on how it drives. So that several year run up to the release of the Volt was a never to be repeated, unique period. And yes, Lyle has moved on, but much of what was to be covered has been covered.
I can tell the FNG’s here what I am interested in and join in if this is the case for you:
What’s the next gen Volt going to be like? I don’t own one yet, but I will and this is of great interest to me. This is where having Lyle come back once a month with his inside scoops and unique sources.
What’s the lastest and true battery develoments? I’d like to hear more about what’s happening with that licensing of cathode manufacturing IP that will make the next batteries with 50% more capacity and 50% lighter.
And to that end, I could go for a good Esstor bashing thread sometime in the near future.
We absolutely need Statik back now and then to stir the pot with all the usual suspects commenting on the aromas of the pot thus stirred.
I would like to hear from all the Volt owners about what’s wrong with the first gen Volt. Gotta be some glitches and rants and suggested improvements out there.
“That’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.”
Mar 3rd, 2011 (7:56 pm)Thanks nasaman! Try as I might to avoid “celebrating” yet another birthday, the obligatory family stuff soaked up a lot of the day. For the last week or so, two of my friends are accelerating their approach to transition. I know that you know how helpless that feels. It makes the whole birthday thing feel dysphoric and almost ironic. On a lighter side to the dark humor: I called the Soc Security folks and asked why they “hold back” a check before sending the first one. Answer: Because we can’t be sure that you’ll LIVE another 30 days – and it’s a *witch* to try to get that money *back*.
Be well,
Tagamet