Volt 2.0: Ruess "It will leap-frog... the competition"

Discussion in 'GM Hybrids and EVs' started by Jeff N, Oct 1, 2014.

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  1. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    "The new Volt is a gargantuan leap forward. Not only is it more capable, efficient, refined, versatile, and user-friendly than the original -- it’s also cheaper.

    For a huge swath of buyers, there’s a whole lot to like with this new EREV Chevy. Especially the part that says: gas pumps optional.    "

    Read more: Charging Ahead: 2016 Chevrolet Volt Review
     
    #461 fotomoto, Sep 1, 2015
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  2. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    Gas prices in some areas are less than $2.00; Compare Side-by-Side
     
    #462 Sergiospl, Sep 1, 2015
  3. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    Doesn't really matter.
    Plugins are bought for reasons other than saving on gas money.
    Besides, if you are talking about "some" areas, I know off some areas where electricity can be bought overnight for 3¢/kWh.
     
    #463 Zythryn, Sep 1, 2015
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Yup, that's another great thing about plug-ins: choice of fuels.

    I last filled up back in late February when prices bottom out $1.86 locally. I'll still have a little over 1/4 tank of it left so I wait for this current "expensive" $2.25/gal stuff to come down some more! ;)
     
    #464 fotomoto, Sep 1, 2015
  5. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    A frequent complaint of "ordinary consumers" is that the Prius is gutless and they wouldn't be caught driving such a wimpmobile.

    I don't feel that way but that's clearly the Prius's reputation. The Camry hybrid is much faster but lots of folks aren't aware of that.

    According to the newly published MotorTrend review of the 2016 Volt, it has similar track performance numbers as the Camry hybrid.

    For example, 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds in hybrid mode like the Camry hybrid (GM says 8.4 seconds in EV mode). The Prius liftback is around 10 seconds.

    The launch acceleration is even more impressive -- MT says the Volt in hybrid mode does 0-30 mph faster than the original 2013 Tesla Model S85 (2.2 versus 2.3 seconds, GM says 2.6 in EV mode, MT says 2.6 seconds for Camry hybrid).

    Sadly, these are the specs that sell cars and the new Volt is well-positioned. Realistically, the new Volt is only slightly more than a Prius non-PHEV after credits and is cheaper than a Camry hybrid and beats the Canry mpg numbers and has much lower CO2 emissions.

    Of course, Camry is a bigger car but a fair number of drivers probably get it because they want a snappier hybrid.

    The new Volt lets commuters have great performance while matching or surpassing CO2 emissions efficiency of the Prius and drastically reducing gasoline use.

    But you think it isn't a practical car for ordinary consumers....
     
    #465 Jeff N, Sep 1, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2015
  6. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    The Malibu's hybrid system is not really simplified. The transaxle is essentially the same by all reports except that it has different motors and a smaller non-grid-rechargeable battery.

    It might also be missing a one-way clutch that would never be used if it were retained due to the smaller hybrid battery not having enough output power to take advantage of the dual-motor mode inherent in the overall transmission design.

    Right now those are just your fantasy numbers. Toyota has been trying to play down media reports of 57 mpg because they may be unrealistically high.
     
    #466 Jeff N, Sep 1, 2015
  7. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Everyone knows that, all too well... from ordinary consumer to die-hard enthusiast.

    No matter how much "performance" is praised, it ultimately comes down to that not simply being a purchase-priority for mainstream buyers.

    For those who didn't learn that lesson with gen-1, they'll have a lot to deal with from gen-2. The new Volt is still has compact seating for 4 and still has a cost too high to for mainstream sales.
     
    #467 john1701a, Sep 1, 2015
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Not having the heaviest part of the car (T battery pack) being there would simplify a lot of things. Not only it'll make the interior bigger and practical, the reduced weight would increase the real world efficiency.

    60 is one example I used. 57 MPG would result in 195 g/mi. They may offer two models also.

    It is too bad for Prius because there ain't gonna be any tax credit incentive. It'll have to duke it out on uneven level ground.
     
    #468 usbseawolf2000, Sep 1, 2015
  9. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    That was the paradox with Volt. It wanted to become common, but wanted to avoid having common traits.

    Practical is not what people talk about or desire. Practical is affordable though.

    The overkill market, those desiring abilities in their vehicle that they'll never actually use, only sells when times are good and resources are abundant.

    So, while gen-2 Volt earns praise, GM will just continue on selling traditional vehicles.

    Let's hope they don't mess up Malibu hybrid.
     
    #469 john1701a, Sep 1, 2015
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  10. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    They already have. After announcing 48 MPG city, 45 highway and 47 combined, the official site now lists 48/37/43 MPG City/Highway/Combined.

    That's after Volt owners outraged with its 41 MPG combined.

    GM raised Gen2 Volt to 42 MPG combined and appears to screw the Malibu Hybrid.

    Chevrolet Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Crossovers and Vans
     
    #470 usbseawolf2000, Sep 1, 2015
  11. dbcassidy

    dbcassidy Toyota Hybrid Nation, 8 Million Strong

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    Classical GM - raid from their own model lines.

    Some things never change nor will they ever learn.

    DBCassidy
     
    #471 dbcassidy, Sep 1, 2015
  12. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    I took a look in the site, wonder why there is such a gradient of 11 mpg between city/highway.
     
    #472 Sergiospl, Sep 1, 2015
  13. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    Screenshot please... All I see are 2 cars side by side. One is a 1.8L hybrid with text that highlights 48 mpg city and the other car is a non-hybrid 1.5L model that highlights 37 mpg highway. I see nothing that says 43 mpg combined.
     
    #473 Jeff N, Sep 1, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2015
  14. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I calculated thr combined. 55% city and 45% highway.

    Edit: Oh, I misread the two numbers.
     
    #474 usbseawolf2000, Sep 1, 2015
  15. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    Not sure, I was just asking based on previous post! All-New 2016 Malibu & Malibu Hybrid car | Chevrolet
    Apparently:
    Malibu Hybrid 48 mpg City, Highway?
    Malibu 1.5L 37mpg Highway, City?
     
    #475 Sergiospl, Sep 1, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2015
  16. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    Really poorly done ad.
    I suspect those are the higher numbers for each car which is why they used them.
    Very confusing, and gives the wrong impression.
     
    #476 Zythryn, Sep 1, 2015
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  17. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    News reports has the Malibu hybrid with 45mpg city and 47mpg combined.

    I'm not sure how true the 36mpg highway is for the announced Malibu. The non-hybrid will have a 1.5L turbo with a 2L turbo option. GM's press release said expected 37mpg highway with the 1.5. There is a 2016 Malibu Limited listed as available on their site that is equipped with a 2.5L; I'm guessing the same engine in the Impala. It is rated 25mpg city and 36mpg highway. Delays in getting the planned engines, or getting the car out sooner to take advantage of the positive press?
     
    #477 Trollbait, Sep 2, 2015
  18. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    No, the Malibu hybrid is 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 47 mpg combined. That hasn't changed since their initial announcement earlier this year. It's almost as good as Honda's Accord hybrid which is 50 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 47 mpg combined. It will be interesting to see what Toyota does for the 4th generation hybrid version of the Camry which is now sadly lagging in the mid-size hybrid mpgs by comparison.
     
    #478 Jeff N, Sep 2, 2015
  19. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Lagging?

    Not if the hybrid system costs less.

    Why do so many people omit the importance of the vehicle being profitable?

    Remember who the competition actually is.
     
    #479 john1701a, Sep 2, 2015
  20. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Yes, I left off the city rating because I didn't think it was in dispute, and the highway and combined weren't published on GM's preview page.

    The non-hybrid highway number displayed might be a little higher once Malibu's with their intended engines are available.
     
    #480 Trollbait, Sep 2, 2015
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