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Archive for the 'Prototypes' Category

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Test Ride: Chevy Volt Pre-production Prototype w/ Video!

August 14th, 2009 | Posted in: Prototypes, Test drive with 307 Comments

Recently I traveled to GM’s Milford Proving Grounds for the opportunity with many other journalists to test drive the company’s entire fleet of production cars which were all laid out across a large swath of pavement called back lake.
To our surprise, in the middle of the event, suddenly Frank Weber pulled up in a pre-production [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 307 Comments

Chevy Volt Has the Feel of a Sports Car, and Engine RPMs Follow Accelerator

July 6th, 2009 | Posted in: Prototypes, Test drive with 377 Comments

In late June, GM completed the production of its first true to form Chevy Volt prototypes called integration vehicles.  We were given a brief video description of what it was like to drive one by the car’s chief engineer Andrew Farah.
GM granted an interview with Farah to Automotive News who got some new nitty gritty [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 377 Comments

Chevy Volt Integration Vehicle Update

June 26th, 2009 | Posted in: Feedback to GM, Original GM-Volt Interviews, Prototypes with 263 Comments

I must admit I am still amazed that we are actually beginning to talk about a near finished product, the Chevy Volt integration vehicles (IV). Over 2 and a half years ago when I first started this site, (SEE FIRST POST HERE) this point was a time that was unimaginable and yet now has [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 263 Comments

Video: Pre-Production Chevy Volts Hit the Road!

June 24th, 2009 | Posted in: Production, Prototypes, Video with 357 Comments

GM has just released a video of and blog post by Andrew Farah, the Volts chief engineer. Andrew demonstrates one of the new pre-production genuine Chevy Volts that has rolled of the assembly line. He reports he drove the first one on Tuesday, Integration Vehicle #1, more than a week ahead of schedule, [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 357 Comments

Exclusive: Visit to the Chevy Volt Integration Vehicle Assembly Plant

June 24th, 2009 | Posted in: Production, Prototypes, Video with 366 Comments

I have seen the electric car promised land.
This month I became one of the first people outside of GM to visit the pre-production operations (PPO) facility at a time where the first genuine Chevy Volts, called integration vehicles (IVers) were being assembled.
The PPO plant was vast though moderate in size relative to full [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 366 Comments

EPA Playing a Role in Volt Generator Mode Behavior?

June 12th, 2009 | Posted in: Engineering, Generator, Prototypes with 184 Comments

It is known that no one outside GM at this point has been allowed to witness the Chevy Volt prototypes running in generator mode.
Previously it was reported that the reason for this is that the car isn’t soundproofed and GM doesn’t want people to hear the engine. Jon Lauckner has also told me the [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 184 Comments

GM-Volt.com Chevy Volt Mule Second Test Drive and How it Compares to Current Hybrids

June 9th, 2009 | Posted in: Prototypes, Test drive with 184 Comments

While visiting the GM Technical Center in Warren Michigan for the new battery lab tour and announcement, I had another chance to briefly test drive the Volt Cruze mule. How could I resist?
With the sheer novelty of the first drive behind me, I figured I could get a better feel for driving the car. [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 184 Comments

Assembly of the First True Chevy Volt Integration Vehicles Begins Today

May 27th, 2009 | Posted in: Production, Prototypes with 141 Comments

Exactly nine weeks ago we were shown a countdown clock in front of the office of Andrew Farah, the Chevy Volt’s chief engineer.  That countdown clock was clicking off the days until the start of the first Chevy Volt integration vehicle build.  The integration vehicle, or IVer, is an actual full functioning Chevy Volt with [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 141 Comments

First Genuine Chevy Volt Integration Vehicle to be Completed on June 1, 2009

March 25th, 2009 | Posted in: Production, Prototypes with 171 Comments

Currently GM has a few more than 30 Cruze-shell mule prototypes running around the proving grounds and in various test facilities. These cars have been performing flawlessly. Though containing a near-final Chevy Volt powertrain and battery, they do not possess the true Chevy Volt interior or exterior design.
The next critical stage in Volt [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 171 Comments

Volt Mule Winter Testing Has Been Successful

March 23rd, 2009 | Posted in: Engineering, Production, Prototypes with 156 Comments

Spring is here, and the 30-odd Chevy Volt mules have passed through their first winter with flying colors I am told.
GM has tested the cars extensively at the Milford Michigan proving grounds, the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, and Kapuskasing, Ontario. Ten vehicles visited Kapuskasing and a few visited the upper peninsula.
The focus of the [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 156 Comments

The Current State of Chevy Volt Prototype Testing and Development

March 17th, 2009 | Posted in: Original GM-Volt Interviews, Prototypes with 129 Comments

Frank Weber is GM’s straight-shooting vehicle line executive of the Volt program. I had the chance to ask him what was happening with mule development.  At this point there are 35 or so developmental mule vehicles.  Mules are early prototypes that have the full Voltec drivetrain but a borrowed interior and exterior.  Within days the [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 129 Comments

GM Aims to ‘Wow’ Customers With Seamless and Intuitive Chevy Volt Driving Experience

March 16th, 2009 | Posted in: Engineering, Features, Original GM-Volt Interviews, Prototypes with 170 Comments

People who follow the Volt development closely know that GM has about 35 mules clad in Chevy Cruze bodies.  These have been undergoing extensive continuous daily testing for months.  By the summer we will see the arrival of the first full Volt interior and exterior prototypes, and likely begin to see public test drives.
I had [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 170 Comments

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