Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Chevrolet, GM
Detroit Auto Show: Live reveal of the Chevy Volt Concept
Click on the image for the full story and a high-resolution photo gallery including the first interior shots
General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner and Vice Chairman Robert Lutz revealed the Chevy Volt Concept at the Detroit Auto Show this afternoon. The Volt, as we revealed earlier, is an electric car with range extension capability thanks to an onboard internal combustion engine that acts as a generator for the batteries, which gives the Volt a range up to 640 miles. We don't want to steal AutoblogGreen's thunder, so you can check out their full coverage of the unveiling and a high-res photo gallery of live shots taken during the reveal.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
solomonrex 3:53PM (1/07/2007)
Why re-direct me? For your own profit, not my convenience. I don't click on pop-ups, and I'm not going to click on this.
Don't post if you aren't going to report.
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Chevy videos 4:47PM (1/07/2007)
With the straight edge lines of this car it could easily be a Cadillac model.
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Matthew King 5:44PM (1/07/2007)
Looks like a cross between a Smart ForFour and a Cadillac STS.
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rwdmtparkingonly 6:42PM (1/07/2007)
This is not an engineering achievement, it is a marketing achievement. GM is basically displaying a plug-in hybrid concept, something that already exists in home brew and factory versions of hybrid cars. However, to avoid looking like idiots for introducing something that already exists GM instead refers to it as "a new type of electric vehicle."
The marketers even have the balls to act like putting an electric and IC engine on the same frame is a new idea (every hybrid is built this way), boasting that "GM's E-flex System enables multiple propulsion systems to fit into a common chassis."
This car does have a series hybrid drive,which is novel in a car even though locomotives have had it for a long time. However, it only gets 50mpg, so it's not any better than the parallel hybrid system in the Prius.
Also, the 525 MPG is achieved by only counting the petroleum content of the fuel when the car is running E85; someone in marketing needs a promotion for that spin. In fact, since that person is good at math maybe they could be transferred to engineering so they can do something valuable with their life.
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Pat Albrecht 7:50PM (1/07/2007)
It would be nice to see GM at least start putting hybrid powertrains like these in cars that people can actually buy. Sadly, it seems like they prefer to spend their money on lobbyists to keep CAFE standards low.
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bernie 8:40PM (1/07/2007)
I'm glad Lutz has found a way to earn the millions they pay him -- as a white-haired Vanna White. he sure hasn't earned what they've paid him up to now.
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DKB_SATX 9:09PM (1/07/2007)
I think series hybrids are a good idea. You can run the internal combustion engine at its most efficient load and RPM configuration, and you don't need a complex engine (variable valve timing, etc.) since it only needs to run well in a narrow operating range, it can be highly optimized for economy and emissions.)
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egs 7:35AM (1/08/2007)
does all of chevy's new concepts have to be silver and look like the camaro?
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Daniel 2:53PM (1/08/2007)
If they would just but a small diesel in it - they would have it!
Small BioDiesel APU, combined with a Full Plug-In Series Hybrid with all electric drive is the way to go for the next few decades until Hydrogen fuel stations are available.
If everyone drove a car like the Volt (with the BioDiesel APU) we would not need to import a single drop of foreign oil.
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Wayne Brock 8:25PM (1/09/2007)
FYI, Read about the 640HP electric car in the January issue of "Car & Driver". It is a conventional car that uses "Electric Wheel-hub motors" to operate, has a
300volt LiPo battery,(available now), and uses a small engine driven generator for extended driving range.
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Doug 7:54AM (1/10/2007)
Fantastic! Much better way for us to move away from gasoline. The current hybrids still depend on gasoline too much and really don't get that great MPG for the buck.
The sad thing is we keep telling the consumer about future possibilities. We need a affordable vehicle like this NOW !
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Sharon 7:32AM (1/16/2007)
Ugly! It looks out of proportion. It's very bottom heavy and looks like you'd bump your head getting in and out.
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tom loy 6:56AM (1/23/2007)
GM has a website where they are taking a survey to decide whether to produce the vote. The website is:
http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/
Please cast your vote.
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Morgan Chemis 1:59AM (8/07/2007)
Found a great site that provides in depth details on the Volt
http://www.chevy-volt.net
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