I recently stumbled on Wikipedia's page for 'Automobile drag coefficient', and was amazed to see that, while the Toyota Prius is currently listed as the fifth most aerodynamic vehicle (with a Cd of 0.25) - no surprise there - the Volt is quite far down the list (with a Cd of 0.281)!
Notable vehicles that are more aerodynamic than the Volt include practically every Hyundai (Sonata & Sonata Hybrid - at #6! -, Genesis, Elantra) and Lexus car (IS, LS400 <1988 model>, ES, GS, LS430, LS460), as well as many cars I didn't realize have excellent aerodynamics (Audi A2, Mazda3 sedan & hatchback, Mitsubishi Diamante, Toyota Camry/Camry Hybrid, Infiniti G35, Mazda6 sedan & hatchback, Volkswagen Passat <1997 model>, Mercedes-Benz B,E & S-class), and some that aren't quite as surprising (Tesla Model S at #3, with a Cd of 0.24; Honda Insight, Porsche 997 Carrera, Nissan Leaf with Cd of 0.28).
Perhaps most baffling to me however, is the car that's rated #1: the GM EV1 (at 0.195 Cd)!
My question to GM therefore, is "Why does the Volt compare so poorly to so many other production vehicles, including GM's own previous attempt at a maximum fuel-efficiency car?" (Not sure if that qualifies as a suggestion; moderators please feel free to move this thread if there's a more appropriate forum!)
Not to say that a coefficient of drag rated at 0.281 is a bad thing, but why are so many 'normal' (ie. non-hybrid or EV) vehicles rated better? Doesn't that suggest there's lots of room for improvement, especially in an EREV where aerodynamics are of particular importance?
Notable vehicles that are more aerodynamic than the Volt include practically every Hyundai (Sonata & Sonata Hybrid - at #6! -, Genesis, Elantra) and Lexus car (IS, LS400 <1988 model>, ES, GS, LS430, LS460), as well as many cars I didn't realize have excellent aerodynamics (Audi A2, Mazda3 sedan & hatchback, Mitsubishi Diamante, Toyota Camry/Camry Hybrid, Infiniti G35, Mazda6 sedan & hatchback, Volkswagen Passat <1997 model>, Mercedes-Benz B,E & S-class), and some that aren't quite as surprising (Tesla Model S at #3, with a Cd of 0.24; Honda Insight, Porsche 997 Carrera, Nissan Leaf with Cd of 0.28).
Perhaps most baffling to me however, is the car that's rated #1: the GM EV1 (at 0.195 Cd)!
My question to GM therefore, is "Why does the Volt compare so poorly to so many other production vehicles, including GM's own previous attempt at a maximum fuel-efficiency car?" (Not sure if that qualifies as a suggestion; moderators please feel free to move this thread if there's a more appropriate forum!)
Not to say that a coefficient of drag rated at 0.281 is a bad thing, but why are so many 'normal' (ie. non-hybrid or EV) vehicles rated better? Doesn't that suggest there's lots of room for improvement, especially in an EREV where aerodynamics are of particular importance?