Chevrolet’s latest plug-in hybrid, the Mi-ray concept, is a futuristic rendering of a performance car that caters also to the environment.
Developed at the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul, the roadster was introduced yesterday at the opening of the Seoul Motor Show.
“‘Mi-ray’ is Korean for ‘future,’ said GM Korea President and CEO Mike Arcamone, “As GM rolls out Chevrolet across Korea, the Mi-ray concept offers an exploration of future possibilities for the brand.”
Chevrolet says the car evokes past, present and future themes, while honoring its 100 years of automotive heritage.
“It is small and open like the 1963 Monza SS, and light and purposeful like the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder,” Chevrolet says, “Its aerodynamic fuselage is reminiscent of modern jet fighters.”
Many cues are familiar, but nostalgia buffs may be a bit unsure about a concealed electric charging port on one side, and a fuel filler on the other.
Instead of packing the Mi-ray with a V6, or V8, this concept uses a “‘mid-electric’ propulsion system” positioned mostly behind and beneath the driver to merge performance with better-than-customary efficiency.
Up front are two 15-kW motors for around-town driving, said to offer “quick acceleration.” These are fed power via a 1.6 kW li-ion battery – one-tenth the energy output of the Volt’s battery – that is recharged also by regenerative braking.
To cater to those wanting more speed, the Mi-ray has also a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to run in series with the electric motors.
“Many of the components in the Mi-ray’s propulsion system are a logical extension of GM’s current technology portfolio,” says Uwe Grebe, executive director for GM Powertrain Advanced Engineering. “The concept shows the potential for reconfiguring, rescaling and extending today’s propulsion technologies.”
The car rolls on aluminum-carbon fiber composite 20-inch wheels in front, shod with 245/35-series tires, and in the rear, are 21-inch wheels wrapped with 295/30-series rubber. These are stopped by vented discs all around.
Scissor doors, close into the swoopy body structure.
Suspension for the aluminum-chassis car is handled by a front and rear double-wishbone setup. Wheelbase is 93.5 inches, length is 157 inches, width is 73.4 inches, height is a low 43.3 inches.
Curb weight is not specified, and neither are maximum power specs, speed or acceleration figures for the concept car.
We presume it runs though. Chevrolet says it gets an “unadjusted” 60 MPG city, and 63 MPG on the highway.
Stylistic showcase
It would appear this design exercise could serve in Chevrolet’s public relations efforts as it associates cool looks, good performance, with more environmentally friendly motive power.
“The strong turbine theme evokes movement, even when the Mi-ray is stationary,” Chevrolet says of its styling.
Speaking of which, the Mi-ray’s twin-cockpit, asymmetric-seat interior is wrapped by a carbon fiber shell, and features carbon fiber and brushed aluminum accents, genuine leather, white fabric, and “liquid metal” surfaces.
The whole rolling automotive sculpture uses light to great effect, and engages ambient lighting beginning at the upper instrument panel that visually flows into the seat back area. Underneath, ground effects lighting glows as the car rolls toward the future.
Seat cushions and headrests connect to the light carbon fiber shell and are mounted on a single aluminum rail. The headrest integrates an air scarf for open air driving.
Back-projection-lit instrumentation utilizes a layout that prioritizes three zones to keep the driver apprised. Front and center is vehicle performance info. To the left and right are “navigation” and “mileage” info. “This eliminates unnecessary visual clutter, allowing the driver to focus on the thrill of driving,” Chevrolet says.
Traditional themes re-done
Not unlike American car purveyors describing finned creations in the 50s, and aeronautical-themed Corvette Stingrays of the 60s, Chevrolet Korea’s marketing people repeatedly echo jet-fighter imagery, attempting to capture the imagination with potential flight on wheels.
“The center touch screen flows down to an aluminum support, which evokes a fighter jet’s nose with the landing gear down. The exterior surface waterfalls down into the interior to meet the reinforced console, connecting the front and rear of the car,” Chevrolet says, “The centrally located start button is also inspired by a jet aircraft. When the button is pressed, the column-mounted retractable meter cluster rises like a jet fighter canopy and ‘Interactive Projection’ appears on the white surface.”
Low-cut window glass matches the low dual headrests on this low-slung car.
The Mi-ray does away with rear-view mirrors, using cameras that extend electrically from the side glass. Around town, a camera looks ahead to overlay real-time info with the car’s GPS navigation system.
‘Sports car spirit’
Carbon fiber spoilers on the corners are said to control down force and airflow. Retractable flaps provide additional airflow, as well as hiding the aforementioned electric charge port on one side, and fuel port on the other.
At night, LED headlights show the way, and under the rear ducktail, twin taillights on the right and left reinterpret the spirit of great Chevy sportscars of the past.
“It strengthens the bond between car and driver,” Chevrolet says of the car’s design and function, “creating a fresh look at what sports cars of the future might be.”
Assuming a respectable power-to-weight ratio, the car named “future” looks entertaining indeed.
Chevrolet’s Korean growth
The future looks sporty on the business side as well.
On Jan. 19 this year, GM announced Chevrolet was replacing GM Daewoo to be GM’s primary brand in Korea. Its new name, GM Korea Co., was to take effect by end of the first quarter.
Eight new models carry the Chevrolet name in Korea this year. These include the Camaro, Orlando, Aveo global small car, as well as a new SUV and a new premium midsize sedan.
GM Korea’s CEO and President Arcamone at that time reiterated GM’s commitment to Korea, as one of its primary production and engineering operations.
“Our sales increased 20 percent last year, our domestic market share increased double-digits and our exports soared 35 percent,” Arcamone said, “We are able to make this bold, strategic move to Chevrolet because of the hard work and dedication of our 17,000 employees, who have unflinchingly focused on increasing our domestic market share and supporting Chevrolet’s global growth in our export markets.”
Editor’s note: Since some may wonder if this is an April 1 spoof (it’s not):
Source: GM
Apr 1st, 2011 (6:28 am)Now that’s what I call a plug-in hybrid! But I doubt it will ever come to the United States but even if it did it would be for the rich only and yes it’s only a concept at the moment but who knows? Maybe it will become an actual car but if it does it probably won’t be as sleek and as sexy as the concept just saying. Plus speaking of this car this car looks good enough to put in a James Bond 007 movie and equip it with as much heavy artillery weapons and spy gear. Trust me on this one this car would be one heck of a beast to see in a 007 movie by all means period! Even the classic spikes coming out of the hubcaps would be great when it comes to this vehicle in a 007 movie by deflating those bad guys tires now that’s what I call a classic James Bond weapon and of course quite a sneaky and clever one in one of the older movies just to say fellows. Who agrees with me the spikes coming out of the hubcaps where the Chevy logo is would look totally awesome when it comes to this vehicle?
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (6:31 am)April 1st, right? Is this Speed Racer’s Mach 5?
Apr 1st, 2011 (6:41 am)Excuse the ot, but a tech customer was wondering of anyone knows if the 120 volt outlet in the Volt provides a pure sine wave or a modified sine wave alternating current, and, how many watts are available from it, and if it runs off the DC to DC converter?
Thanks to anyone who can give the details on those.
+3
Apr 1st, 2011 (8:47 am)Good luck building that one…..
Can you imagine how much that would get chopped up if they even thought of going to production???
That is what would be so sad.
But it is fun to dream about these!!!
NPNS
Have Outlet – Ready For A Blue EREV In Ohio!!
Apr 1st, 2011 (9:03 am)The MI-ray is hot!
Never happen…
Apr 1st, 2011 (9:19 am)That is a stunningly beautiful car, front and back. The Volt showed how the front corners of vehicles need to be clipped for better aerodynamics. The BMW i8 showed how vectoring air streams can reduce drag. The Peugeot EX1 emphasized a low and wide front end and a tall narrow rear end. The Mi-ray combines all these traits and shows how vectoring surfaces can be sculpted into attractive lines and fins.
-17
Apr 1st, 2011 (9:33 am)(click to show comment)
+4
Apr 1st, 2011 (9:34 am)RE: Volt April Fools jokes
First, the Mi-ray is not a joke. It is a real car. (Whether they ever make one is another question, but you never know what good it could do to inspire someone to build something feasible, or at least show another cool plug-in to get people thinking).
Today AutoGuide says Volt April Fools jokes are out there, however. Yesterday we were wowed in this forum with a link to a Volt convertible written about in Road & Track. Apparently they were not the only ones.
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/04/chevy-volt-target-of-april-fools-jokes-convertible-pickup-voltec-corvette.html
Other known April Fools spoofs follow. Has anyone seen any others?
Volt “convertible”
http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/first/exclusive-first-look-2012-chevrolet-volt-convertible
Corvette Voltec
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f13/gmi-exclusive-corvette-go-voltec-camaro-may-follow-101792/
“Volt” pickup
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f13/gmi-spied-2013-chevrolet-volt-et-truck-101798/
-3
Apr 1st, 2011 (9:49 am)The Mi-Ray is an april fools joke. Regardless of it’s development, to release an american car companies futuristic design in a foreign country on 4-1-11 is a joke. Too bad we don’t have those design jobs here. “Made in America” is on life support & fading.
+7
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:08 am)In “Ing-grish” we say, “Stingray” !!!!!!!!!!
+3
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:11 am)Search the Google news and you will see it’s NOT a joke. Multiple news agencies running the same story is the proof you need to check out.
http://news.google.com/news/more?q=mi-ray&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=dmOklhE8abdCfpMnA6UqYXLGceUqM&ei=UNyVTZTVGIG4sAP44Ii4BQ&sa=X&oi=news_result&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CC4QqgIwAA
http://news.google.com/news/story?pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=mi-ray&ncl=dmOklhE8abdCfpMnA6UqYXLGceUqM
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:15 am)why waste time and money on concept cars which will only every be a concept (i.e. never mass produced)? By all means use the technology, but show case it in something that actually has promise.
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:24 am)Here’s an April Fool’s joke that nearly gave me a heart attack this morning!
http://blogs.motortrend.com/inside-deal-sell-gm-chinas-saic-13985.html
+3
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:35 am)Based on the picture provided by Mark Z it would be a joke to get into it to drive it. Looks like you drive it in a reclining position.
+3
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:50 am)I read on GM Inside news that they are working on a Voltec RV (VRV):
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f13/gmi-spied-2013-chevrolet-volt-rv-101797/
With plenty of room in the undercarriage for li-ion batteries, this RV will get 100 miles AER, after which the 7L LS all-aluminum V8 638 hp GM engine extends the range for another 544 miles. Using the large li-ion battery buffer to smooth out the power demands of mainly highway driving, the VRV gets 29 mpg on the highway in ER mode (26 mpg in Sport ER mode) by using advanced Voltec software to blend genset power, battery charging and battery-assisted power with the 476 kW electric traction motor in an optimally efficient process. Next-gen regenerative brakes can recharge the entire li-ion bank during gentle 80 mph to 0 mph arrival braking, delivering another 100 miles AER town driving upon reaching the end of the highway journey.
One of the best features of the VRV is the storage space for a Chevy Volt – after a long cross country drive in your VRV, you get to disembark in your favorite runabout vehicle, the classic Volt. Kitchen, dining room, shower, large screen TV, billiards table plus decent mpg for cross country touring – then performance, quiet, high mpg for destination driving – the best of both worlds, demonstrating the versatility of the Voltec approach.
+3
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:51 am)If Mark Z’s picture was ‘shopped, the girls would have bigger boobs. Just sayin’.
(Cap’n Jack must be at H( . y . )ters, so I’m ‘filling in.’)
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:53 am)That ain’t no Volt in the pic, mister.
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (10:55 am)To make the Mi-Ray into a workable “Stingray”, all that design needs is the classic vertical B-pillar with vertical window glass behind the passengers heads, (like the 70′s C3 Vettes), that way a removable hard top like the current C6′s is possible.
I don’t believe a mass produced ‘roadster’ would be allowed by the feds. It has to be a ‘convertible’ or a ‘pop-top coupe’. But it is nice to dream…
+6
Apr 1st, 2011 (11:05 am)What, no Llamatec for Peru?
Ha ha, the 1st one w/ a llama joke. Na na, na naaaa, na.
Apr 1st, 2011 (11:07 am)미래
Random thoughts:
It crys for more than liquid cooled dual Agnis in the front, but it’s a great start to the configuration game – small pack says so. Get costs down.
Ewe Grebe may be the next Bob Lutz.
Not sure about the scissor doors and open steering wheel.
Apr 1st, 2011 (11:11 am)Okay, treating the subject seriously:
Those of us who have been here awhile know all about “concepts;” the original Volt concept was very different …
… from today’s production version:
(For what it’s worth, I prefer the production version Volt to it’s impractical concept.)
If the Mi-Ray makes it to market, history suggests that it will bear only a passing resemblance to it’s introduction concept.
As for the internal mechanicals; isn’t this just a high-performance, high-style Prius? Not that this isn’t a good thing, necessarily; except for the possible crowing of John-boy the High Priust. Speaking of the High Priust, I’m (so help me) tempted to ask: What is the market for this car?
This concept could be merely a pipe-dream for a resurgent GM to come … which can again produce limited production vehicles like an electrified ‘Vette for the wealthy hot rod enthusiast.
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (11:34 am)This car has presence.
It has a Camaro-esque, low riding feel to the cockpit, the best interpretation of the Chevy grill I’ve seen yet, and isn’t overshadowed by two gorgeous ladies. Chevy has retained the Stingray look even though it has substituted the Stingray nose with the Chevy grill.
Perhaps what is most surprising is that it comes from Korea, not California, Japan, Italy, nor Stuttgart. Now that Daewoo is GM Korea and just launched the Chevrolet brand there, this concept is significant. And Hot. This car, along with the Cruze, gives this company increased credibility within GM. I’d give a pat on the back to the design studio across the Pacific. They deserve it.
Whether or not the Chevy concept is a precursor to any engineering products in development has yet to be seen. The Volt itself is more significant than the My-Ray in that regard. The Volt is a rolling concept car way above anything else on the road today.
Now, what does GM in Detroit have to show us to one up these guys?
Apr 1st, 2011 (11:39 am)I read these and was struck by how reasonable the rationale(s) in the last two stories were.
Occam’s razor?
Actually, I think that we (and GM) should feel flattered to draw so much mischievous attention; it shows just how much of a phenomenon the Volt has become …
Apr 1st, 2011 (11:50 am)Replace the bow tie with a bat, and you have a fairly credible Batmobile.
+2
Apr 1st, 2011 (12:22 pm)If William Durant, the co-founder of the Chevrolet brand (together with the namesake Louis Chevrolet) were alive, he wouldn’t like that at all. The “Bow-Tie” design was supposed to be a variation of the cross in the Swiss flag, in honor of Chevrolet himself. It is one of the oldest, the most simple, and the most known automobile brand symbol in the U.S., and maybe in the world.
Raymond
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (12:30 pm)The real joke in that story is that GM links its heritage to the Corvair
Apr 1st, 2011 (12:31 pm)The new Camaro was done by a designer they brought over from Korea. So I’m not surprised the Korean studio’s putting out some great work.
Apr 1st, 2011 (12:34 pm)It wouldn’t be GM replacing the bowtie, it would be a movie or television producer.
The 1955 Lincoln Futura show car …
Became this in 1966:
I don’t see the Lincoln emblem anywhere … think the Ford family minded?
+4
Apr 1st, 2011 (1:59 pm)I rather see an plug-in version of the Saturn Sky.
Apr 1st, 2011 (2:21 pm)Truman,
(#15)
Still waiting for you to fess up (note the dateline):
http://www.blavish.com/car-carrying-rv-debuts-in-germany/
Happy April 1st!
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (2:29 pm)Possibly I’m missing something, but why? Concept cars are frequently unworkable in reality. And if it’s designed locally (and they do design in other countries), why not? Especially if it’s meant for that particular market?
Apr 1st, 2011 (2:43 pm)“The VRV is agnostic wrt favorite destination vehicle. Although they recommend a Chevy Volt for destination fuel efficiency and touring ‘weight balance optimizations and safety’, the storage bin can accommodate any favorite small to midsize vehicle, such as a Porsche.”
I thought that was obvious from the photo and the context – just read the article.
Oh wait – I just read your URL.
Never mind – I’ve been bamboozled !
+2
Apr 1st, 2011 (2:46 pm)Meanwhile, it looks like Chevy sold 608 Volts in March, more than double February’s tally:
http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/chevy-volt-sales-pick-up-in-march-more-sold-than-january-february-combined/15262/
And so it begins…
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (2:46 pm)Case in point: The “Chevrolet Express” concept of 1987. This ultra-fast car, powered by a gas turbine, would have needed a separate highway system to cruise at 150 mph:
Obviously not intended to be taken seriously, it was still useful for wowing attendees at a car show … like the Mi-ray?
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (2:53 pm)And an Aztec for Mexico. ha
Apr 1st, 2011 (3:01 pm)? ? ?
+5
Apr 1st, 2011 (3:02 pm)Have you lost your sanity? Electric motors are over 90% efficient and gas motors typically running about 22%. Let’s make the obvious switch to electric before we start blaming GM for using dirty electricity over the clean stuff to re-charge the Volt.
+2
Apr 1st, 2011 (3:05 pm)GM’s Volt deliveries were up to 608 in March. So the ramp-up continues…
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chevrolet-cruze-fuels-17-percent-rise-in-gm-march-retail-sales-119061059.html
Should help silence the media goofs that saw the first few months sales and concluded that the Volt was selling badly.
Apr 1st, 2011 (3:15 pm)You guys see the VW XL1? $60k, 2-seater, 22 all elec miles before the range-extender kicks in:
http://www.automobilemag.com/green/reviews/1102_volkswagen_xl1_concept_drive/index.html
Looks like an educational tool for VW engineers to me.
Apr 1st, 2011 (3:50 pm)There’s always a market for retro:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/brooklyn-motorized-electric-with-a-jolt-of-retro-style/
Except for burning hot, constant run their mouth, stinky, stalling, lugging, hesitant pauses drivetrains.
+2
Apr 1st, 2011 (4:14 pm)Hope that silences the media goofs who proclaimed the Volt to be selling badly after the first few months, with no regard to the ramp up. I suppose that’s par for the course for the soundbite people and the twitterati, but even the more-thorough media have often gotten the Volt story wrong. Thank your god that this site exists. Thanks, Lyle, Jeff and the other supporters here.
Apr 1st, 2011 (4:16 pm)Hey Jeff, a couple of my attempted posts disappeared. One of them even put you in a positive light! Doh!
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (4:45 pm)T 1,
Found and approved them. Sorry ’bout that. Don’t know what the spam trigger was.
Thanks,
Jeff
Apr 1st, 2011 (6:26 pm)Yes, it definitely has people thinking. GM is committed to it, so those pranksters who wrote those pieces at GMinsidenews are challenged by it. Looking forward to more Voltec news, that is not mere kidding around.
Apr 1st, 2011 (7:16 pm)I would have to agree with some of you that it could also be a sleek and sexy Batmobile as well just to say not just a James Bond car.
Apr 1st, 2011 (7:47 pm)One last thing do you think this is genuine or truly an April Fools joke? You be the judge! In my opinion it could be 50/50 who knows only time will tell?
+5
Apr 1st, 2011 (9:06 pm)Truman,
Yay, my Volt helped the March numbers!
+1
Apr 1st, 2011 (9:10 pm)Mark Z,
I hope it’s not racist to say it’s easy to tell everything in that picture was made in the USA.
Apr 1st, 2011 (11:36 pm)Give that man a cigar! This work is exciting and credible.
Apr 2nd, 2011 (8:37 am)Transit 100 years ago…
A camera on the front of a street car 104 years ago. Sure was still a lot of horse drawn vehicles in use. Mass transit looked like the way to get around. Looks like everybody had the right of way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NINOxRxze9k
+6
Apr 2nd, 2011 (8:54 am)Interesting spin. The question was actually WHO not what.
The answer is car enthusiasts.
Mainstream consumers await a next generation model, one configured for Cruze/Malibu buyers who are less interested in speed & power and place a much higher priority on price.
-1
Apr 2nd, 2011 (10:03 am)john1701a,
As I came perusing down the comments this morning, I said to myself; “John-boy has been by.” Sure enough, when I got down to the bottom, there you were.
I could tell by the [-1]s I’d gotten overnight, for basically innocuous posts.
That’s okay, I do the same thing to your usual, less-than-innocuous posts, you old SOB (I’m only mad because I agreed with a premise of yours for once in my life).
The question was rhetorical; it is obviously car enthusiasts, and wealthy ones at that. The price reductions that “Mainstream consumers” await, for a price accessible Cruze/Malibu EREV, has a very strong probability of appearing; probably sooner than you expect.
Since you have such a thing against vague claims, I would cite several recent items here indicating that GM may be considering price reductions for Gen I.
Also, there is the predictable effect of increasing production bringing costs down, as well as the follow-on research for the next generation. Though necessarily vague in detail, these principles are nevertheless true, and demonstrable for manufacturing across the board.
I have no desire to be drawn into our usual battle (and the others no doubt want to post further comments), so I’m signing out for the day. You old SOB.
+3
Apr 2nd, 2011 (10:45 am)Go Volt!
+1
Apr 2nd, 2011 (11:48 am)In front of the gym this morning:
Woo Hoo!
+3
Apr 2nd, 2011 (12:04 pm)It was hyped as a car for the typical consumer for the end of 2010. The concern of “too little, too slowly” has been validated.
Notice that informative post pointing out the current price of oil?
Notice how rapidly sales of Cruze have increased?
-1
Apr 2nd, 2011 (12:28 pm)April Fool. It must be. It’s cool to look at, but doesn’t work as anything other than an expensive toy in the real world no matter what the drive train is.
Apr 2nd, 2011 (1:08 pm)#8
I know it’s a spoof, but it works for me. I hope they actually do it. A lot bigger niche than the little “sports car” IMHO. Hello CaptJack??
Apr 2nd, 2011 (1:11 pm)And my dad used to say, “Too true to be funny”.
Apr 2nd, 2011 (1:16 pm)I read that Durant’s wife fell in love with the symbol when she saw it on the wall paper in the bathroom of a Paris hotel. And no, i am not making this up for 4/1!
+2
Apr 2nd, 2011 (1:20 pm)#47
Right on! Mine too. +1
Apr 2nd, 2011 (1:59 pm)Dang those EV drivers. Can’t they park correctly?
Apr 2nd, 2011 (4:19 pm)Also check out the update on the Fisker Karma (also in the new issue, and prob online, too). It’s up to $100k, but 50 miles all elec, then range extender. 4 seats. Fast. Beautiful for a 4 door, IMO. Science AND style, like the article says. One of the biggest parts of the story is their biz model–subcontract out most everything and be the general contractor. Ala Apple. No legacy anything. Clean sheet of paper. Will they ever matter–who knows, but nice to have some more electric voices in the choir. Can’t wait for the first highly affordable, beautiful, range extender. C’mon GM–I know you have it in ‘ya.
Apr 2nd, 2011 (6:15 pm)Sometimes several few questions asked ought not to be dismissed as insignificant, as in number 3 above.
Apr 2nd, 2011 (8:19 pm)Maybe a few of those parking skilled SUV drivers will think about an EV at $4+ gas prices?
NPNS
Apr 2nd, 2011 (9:20 pm)Dave K.,
I was just being funny about the orange car with one wheel in the pedestrian walkway.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (1:47 am)Konichiwa from Kyoto!
So is it pronounced Mee-ray or My-ray?
I saw this driving through Osaka last night. One of the very few non-Japanese cars in Japan. Even their “car” magazines only have Japanese cars in them.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (7:24 am)On the front page is a topic about air conditioning performance and energy use.
I think this is a necessary topic to understand, and I really appreciate this topic greatly.
Could all the current Volt owners please share this important set of experiences with us?
While I would not necessarily expect that the AC would always use just only one-third as much energy as does resistance heating, the co-variables are very wide indeed.
First, you have the humidity that has to go, so, what is the relative humidity inside as a function of “change of state” (water vapor condensing to drain out), in addition to the inside ambient load temperature? The outside ambient heat exchange temperature that the electric compressor has to work with is the other factor that is really helpful to know.
A study log format that might be helpful for ten or so days is:
Humidity%________
Initial Inside Temp ________
Outside Ambient Temp _________
Comfort Setting Temp _________
Driving Speed MPH _________ (preferably constant)
Time to reach 76 Degrees in minutes ___________
Estimated energy needed in terms of miles traded-off _______
Estimated energy needed in terms of watts ________
Comfort comments of any additional passengers _______…
Note: This would not be considered a scientifically-exact set of measures, but if there are enough Volt owners helping the rest of us understand what we need to reasonably-expect, then that would really be an outstanding and valuable thing for each of you to do for us.
Also, have any Volt owners installed high heat rejection window film? I installed 99% uva and uvb LLUMAR, (even on the front windshield is legally-acceptable in Texas), but it is only a 20% heat rejecting film.
This film stops most of the painful uva/uvb radiation (we get more photosensitive as we get older) which is really bad nowadays especially in those first Winter cold fronts coming down from the Arctic, due to their now-50% accelerated loss of ozone as published in Science Daily last week. This is due to excessive carbon dioxide retaining too much heat in the lower atmosphere.
(The AC is very powerful in the Element).
Apr 3rd, 2011 (9:33 am)Doesn’t glass just by itself stop almost all UVa & UVb rays? Only gamma radiation passes through.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (10:21 am)kdawg-san,
There are really bad misrepresentations regarding what the many different kinds of glass can do for us. Glass is really expensive to ship, and, it seems to me that what gets represented about glass has a lot to do with what the merchant has on hand to sell you.
In addition, I would strongly suggest that there is a very gross under representation regarding the quick depletion of the ozone. (I hope my post will clear here.)
While we have the situations that we in fact have, it is only fair and honest for us to be informed regarding these things, so that we can responsibly plan avoiding these exposures if possible. My motive here is that the air conditioner can cool the temperature and dehumidify for us, but it can not make up for some other discomforts, and, should not be considered as insufficient.
Knowing that “where it hurts” (only where the sun is shining in on our skin), and realizing that the air conditioning can’t be blamed for that, let’s us understand that the comfort controls are the traditional residential standards. I hope to help us focus on the non-traditional factors of sunlight exposure that may increase discomfort sooner or later. Thanks for asking that question.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (10:55 am)I’d be interested to know about what might block the gamma component.
It may sound heavy, but would leaded glass do anything for that portion of the spectrum?
(If indeed gamma is considered part of the spectrum. If not, then the partial explanations that
UVa and UVb are “the most damaging part of the spectrum”, are passively irresponsible to inform the public.
A distinction in definition of what damaging energies and particles increasingly hit our skin ought to be properly and openly discussed by media and medical pros.)
I always have to position my arms and hands out of the sunlight when driving (3 hours a day usually), even with the window film I’ve described above. Wearing long sleeves helps the most. But it sure would be nice to not need to wear long sleeves in the warm weather, especially for this next Summer, which is expected to be a repeat of the 2009 record number of (68) days over one hundred degrees.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (2:18 pm)Dan Petit,
I haven’t looked it up or anything, but I really don’t believe you have much to fear from naturally occurring gamma rays from the Sun. (For one thing, the Compton Gamma-Ray Telescope had to orbit the earth in order to pick up gammas from outer space). The UVA UVB and UVC is of far more concern. As for glass blocking UV, my dermatologist told me that most sun-caused skin features (such as freckles or cancers) tend to occur more on the left side of the face (in America), due to sitting on that side of the car while driving. It does seem remarkable to me that some kind of coating can’t be applied to auto glass to block UV; they can do it to my prescription sunglasses.
Should we be be amused that the thread has gone from Mi-ray to Gamma rays?
+1
Apr 3rd, 2011 (2:58 pm)A “cosmic” pun, Jackson! Gamma radiation is also called cosmic radiation and is almost entirely absorbed by earth’s atmosphere. Airline crews get fairly high doses after years at 25K ft+ and our ISS crews do too. Your mention of face freckles is interesting —the left is the only side I have any.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (5:52 pm)Yes on all points.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (5:56 pm)Thank you for bringing back the pictures.
The concept made my heart beat faster.
The production car is a nice car, but styling wise it is not special. There used to be a saying “styling sells cars”. Perhaps that’s not true today.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (6:07 pm)Jackson,
It’s not at all a matter of fear, it is a matter of PAIN. (lol) As in “it hurts a lot”.
For example, you know when you stand too close to a fire and it starts to hurt, and, you stay standing there for several more seconds too long, that is what it feels like, but that level of pain is instant when the sun shines without the ozone up there. And, yes, on the driver’s left side of the head and neck. Also: A roller shade with lots of little holes in it to sort of see through is not enough. (lol).
Maybe I ought to cut a small square yard of thermal curtain and put up a curtain rod. LOL
Maybe 3M or someone else has something you can hang up and see through for gamma. That would be exceptionally nice to know about.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (6:21 pm)O/T
38 years ago today, Martin Cooper made the first cell phone call.
The battery was bigger than the phone…
Apr 3rd, 2011 (6:36 pm)You could put some sun-block lotion on your windows, but that would probably cause other hazards
Apr 3rd, 2011 (6:42 pm)kdawg-san,
A thermal curtain would work better, just don’t change lanes a lot. (lol)
When I used to go to the beach in Corpus Christi in my Winnebago, the drive home to the north-northwest for four hours from three pm to sunset (driving essentially in the same lane) was a real pain in the neck literally. I just slid the Winnebago thermal drape forward and that worked well, but I always had to slide
it back before needing to look back in order to know that it was OK to change lanes into the lane to the left.
Sometimes though, it was a bit of a surprise when some rockstar bus zoomed past at around 90 miles per hour about a foot away. I suppose I could install a backup cam that stays on all the time, and focuses into the left lane rearward. But somebody needs to invent something for our driver’s side windows.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2011 (10:32 pm)All car windows block UVB rays. But not UVA rays. Which is why you won’t get a sunburn sitting in your car. But you will get sun damage, and skin cancer.
Apr 3rd, 2011 (11:45 pm)It actually hurts? Does sunscreen help?
They used to make sunglasses that blocked UVC rays, and they blocked all heat. So it should be possible to do the same with car window glass. Not sure about gamma rays though.
Apr 4th, 2011 (9:08 am)LauraM,
Yes, Laura, you are right about the skin cancer, first taking the form of pre-cancer spots. The dermatologist freezes them off.
It may be that if this high level of temprorary pain has come my way, it may come everyone elses’ way too in the future. The culprit is carbon dioxide (keeping too much heat at the lower atmospheric strata, causing the two molecules of oxygen (as ozone) to split apart at the far colder temps in the upper atmosphere in the
Arctic) according to a paper in Science Daily. The whole story is not being openly discussed by those in the know, however, and that is what I am disappointed about.
There is one sunblock that helps, but you have to put it on pretty think. (It is Neutrogena Advanced uva uvb in the silver tube. It costs $14 but really stains white short sleeved shirt sleeve edges.)
I think it actually tends to help the skin heal, but the best thing is for the exposure to not happen in the first place. Thanks for your comments.
Apr 5th, 2011 (12:44 pm)whaat?? The building of concept cars is important. If you don’t challenge the impossible/impractical — see what can be done, you will not advance, and your products will not sell.