Chevy Volt is 99% Ready

The majority still have hang ups over getting stranded, and what will they do for 5% - 10% of their trips that go past 40 miles. You still have to get people to buy it.

Going forward, the series configuration is the better option. The HSD has the advantage in CS fuel economy now, but the series hybrid is more flexible in terms of up grading the design. It will be much easier for GM than Toyota to put in a diesel, wankel, sterling, or even micro-turbine into the Volt than the Prius. If FCVs suddenly became viable, just drop a fuel cell into the Volt's engine bay.

 

double post

 

It doesn't matter as no doubt the Jetta TDI will best the Volt in any Motor Trend review.

Bob Wilson

 

LOL. I am not sure Bob. 2004 Prius was the Motor Trend car of the year.

 

Spot on.

 

Any of the above in CS mode series (due to low efficiency chg-dishg) would always be above HSD mileage/efficiency.
You can always bring the "often use" up, but "how much often" will be?? If not daily, then it only makes a BEV heavier...

 

"If not daily, then it only makes a BEV heavier..." and more expensive, less space, more maintenance, and more repairs.

Different trade-offs for BEV vs PHV, people will pick the vehicle that gives them best value. Personally, I suspect that for a 2+ car household BEV will dominate.

 

Does anyone know how the Volt is pre-selling at this point. I mean have they already pre-sold a lot of them are are they going to be struggling to sell even limited quanities at $41000?

 

Yes, the BEV is better, and when, for whatever reason, they become more accepted, the serial hybrid platform is easier to convert to pure electric. Which might lower the sticker price.

Commuter cars aren't the only thing on the roads. We also need options for trucking.

 

Are there any official EPA economy numbers released yet?

For this first PHV (well, that's not true, Prius PHV's are all over ) or whatever they want to call it, seems the format could be -

1) all-electric range

2) city / highway fuel economy after all-electric range

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With PHV's, doesn't seem to make sense giving fuel economy with any amount of the 'all-electric' range included.

 

Unnofficial...
As tested in a portuguese tv program
1) 47km - 29.2miles
2) 31.3MPG

Sounds very bad, maybe we should blame the metering procedure?

 

Saw two Volt's yesterday, 5 minutes apart, and this is not the first time I've seen them on the road.

 

Yes, yes we should.

The official electric range from GM is 25 to 50 miles. A reporter got a range in the 50's miles. Some had ranges down in the 30's. The average appears to be above initial announced 40 mile range.

Reported fuel economy numbers from real world driving are suspect because they generally aren't repeatable. I'm not saying they are worthless. In a correctly sized sample, they do give a better picture of the vehicle's capabilities. A single point just doesn't tell much. Unless it's from an extreme end, like temperatures or aggressiveness of the driver.

Electric range and fuel economy off electric would be the most informative numbers to have on the label. Also stating expected gas use for a small range of daily commutes, say 10, 25, 50, and 100 miles, on the label would make it easier for consumers.

 

I heard GM's VP of marketing this morning on WJR (Detroit) and I had to laugh. He was talking about how the engineers, marketing, and other folks who have been driving it are practicing "Volting", which is learning to drive efficiently, to maximize battery range. He noted things like coasting to red lights, being aware of electrical demands from accessories, and maximizing regen capability. I thought to myself, this is what Prius owners have been doing for 10 years now. To his credit, he mentioned that even ICE drivers can maximize mileage from many of the same techniques.

 

HAH! And the Volt fans have spent the last 3 years telling us how the Volt won't have to be driven like a lame Prius to get incredible mileage! Drive it like a Vette and never use a drop of gas!

 

Actually I didn't watch the program where the Volt/Ampera was tested. But from what I have seen in the past programs, the greener the car, more is the chance of being tested/driven by a woman tester (don't remember her name). My wife can easily achieve 50MPG out of the Prius on her commute, from day one. Maybe Volt is more complicated to "adapt" to the aggressiveness of a lady? Any clue?

 

And my wife drove a Lincoln Mark VII when we met, and wasn't afraid to punch it.

I was averaging 58 mpg in my gen 2 on new tires. Now, if you'd ask me what I got on a specific day, that day may be as low as 39 mpg. Consumer Reports aren't generally thought of as a driving enthusiast magazine, and they managed only 44 mpg with the same model.