Lutz: Chevy Orlando coming, could get Voltec powertrain
Chevrolet Orlando concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Before General Motors' financial woes got so out-of-hand that the giant automaker was forced to declare bankruptcy, plans were in place to bring the Chevrolet Orlando, a new seven-passenger multi-purpose vehicle, to the U.S. market in 2011. First seen at the Paris Motor Show last year, the Orlando concept was a modern take on the nearly defunct but extremely useful wagon shape that seemed destined to replace the retrotastic HHR in GM's lineup. Now that GM's back on track, it would seem the previously stalled Orlando project is moving forward as well.
Since the Chevy Orlando is expected to be built atop the same Delta platform as the upcoming Chevy Volt, might it be possible we see an extended-range electric people mover from The General wrapped in a family-friendly tall wagon bodystyle? According to Bob Lutz, the answer is a definite maybe. Responding to just such a question from Lyle Dennis over at GM-Volt.com, Lutz admitted, "We are actually studying the adaptation of Volt technology to the upcoming Orlando."
Naturally, spreading the extremely high development cost of the Volt's high-tech powertrain and lithium ion battery packs is certainly an attractive proposition for GM. Placing that Voltec drivetrain in the Orlando makes a lot of sense as it would seemingly allow GM to offer a fuel-saving vehicle with strong mass-market appeal.
[Source: GM-Volt.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Russell 3:04PM (8/03/2009)
Did I miss a statement about Lutz or something?? Why is he all of a sudden the GM spokesperson?
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amnigo 3:40PM (8/03/2009)
Yes, you did.
notYou 4:32PM (8/03/2009)
And he's a spokesperson for me! It's nice to see him taking a page from my playbook as I wrote here back in August 08 (from http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/inside-the-volt-in-video/):
>>Speaking of which, I predict once "The Volt" is out, GM will re-engineer the term to be "Volt Technology" and apply it across their products. In other words, there will be a legacy-gas-powered version and a "Volt Powered" version - at least until petrol as a fuel is legislated out of existence. You read it here first.
No problem Lutz nCo., let me know if you want to evaluate any of my other ideas on how to get GM rocking again. If you would have consulted me back then, you probably wouldn't have needed the bailout. Too bad Ford's gonna eat you now.*
(*sorry for the shameless "shoulda listened to me" rant. next up: links to the thousand topics I was flat out wrong on...)
oldraven 3:10PM (8/03/2009)
He's the new Marketing man.
I said from the day they debuted the Orlando in Paris, that this would be an (then) E-flex powered vehicle. One look under the hood and at all of the EV hints in the design work (including the solar panel styled roof and a flat loading floor resembling a circuit-board), along with the signature black glass roof leading down to the rear vertical that you saw on the pre-production Volt designs made it quite clear what their intentions were.
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Protzenegger 3:18PM (8/03/2009)
While I'm not a huge fan of the way this looks, I'm glad to see the technology make its way to other applications. This should be a great niche crossover.
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Tousen 5:52PM (8/03/2009)
I think this is another step in the right direction for them. The Malibu, Cruze, the new LaCrosse and this are all amazing looking cars!
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Polly Prissy Pants 3:26PM (8/03/2009)
Is this the same guy who announced a new Impala based on the old G8?
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216 3:29PM (8/03/2009)
Caprice
oldraven 4:19PM (8/03/2009)
He 'announced' no such thing. He said it was too good to waste and that HE wanted to make it the new Caprice. In order to have an announcement, you need to have the rest of the board approve it, let alone the CEO, who nixed it.
Polly Prissy Pants 6:52PM (8/03/2009)
My mistake, I must have read it wrong:
"The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet. It is kind of too good to waste," Lutz told the mag.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/11/lutz-pontiac-g8-to-continue-as-chevy-caprice-in-u-s-z28-likel/
Or something.
henrykrinkle 3:29PM (8/03/2009)
"Now that GM's back on track, it would seem the previously stalled Orlando project is moving forward as well."
Ford July sales up 2.3 percent,
Chrysler July sales down only 9 percent,
GM July sales down 19.4 percent.
(from Washington Post)
How exactly is GM back on track?
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Suzie 3:37PM (8/03/2009)
If you actually look at the sales numbers, they were only down so much because of cutting back on fleet contracts. Retail sales were up.
henrykrinkle 3:57PM (8/03/2009)
Ah, you're right about the fleet sales. Looks like GM's retail sales were down about the same as Chrysler's overall sales. Bad news is, that still puts them below Chrysler so again I have to ask: How is GM back on track? Hanging on by a thread or treading water at best. Not back on track.
Big Mola 4:39PM (8/03/2009)
A good descriptor would be "keeping up" with the competition. Didn't all the major players lose sales except for F?
william tell 4:04PM (8/03/2009)
I've never liked this fad for two tone bumpers and sills. It likes hideous on a regular car but a concept!!! WTF. If this was an offroader I could understand the decision but aside from cost cutting, what other possible reason could their be for not painting these parts?
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william tell 4:05PM (8/03/2009)
edit: it looks hideous
Danimal 4:16PM (8/03/2009)
It visually raises the car without having to actually do anything to the suspension.
And though this is a concept it is also looks incredibly production ready save for some trim pieces and lights. GM get so much (unjustified) flak for the Camaro's production time that a lot of their new concepts are much closer to reality than to what most companies are doing.
Dustin 4:17PM (8/03/2009)
If Lutz says it, it must be true.
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glenn stordeur 5:46AM (8/04/2009)
Who was the designer on this?
Was it the Aztec guy? What a hit that was.
This is hideous.
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carlbolt 4:33PM (8/03/2009)
Why does this car speak "Aztek" to me?
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