GM Chevy Volt - Page 14

dpeilow · 01-19-2010, 12:49 AM

Chevrolet Volt | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express

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As efficient as a full-electric car, but with the practicality of a petrol-powered model, the Volt is a massive step forward. Although it seems expensive, pioneering technology always is, and the savings at the pump should help make up for this. On top of that, it’s smooth, fast, comfortable and easy to drive. Don’t dismiss this Chevy as merely another hybrid – it’s the most important model for years.

This is contrary to what we have been led to believe before:

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As soon as the batteries run below 30 per cent charge, the 1.4-litre petrol engine fires up and settles to a 1,600rpm idle, while it tops up the power as you continue to drive. On steep inclines, the motor can reach as much as 4,000rpm to meet the battery demands. Once charge hits 85 per cent or above, the engine turns itself off and you continue on your way.

mt2 · 01-19-2010, 10:31 PM

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Originally Posted by dpeilow

Chevrolet Volt | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express

This is contrary to what we have been led to believe before:

The devil is in the details. Never confuse marketing spin with technical implementation. I can imagine GM engineers cringing every time they read a press release or some pablum feed to the auto rags.

vfx · 01-23-2010, 10:22 PM

Arguably the first consumer review of the Volt

.Chevrolet Volt - A Hybrid Done Right!

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But a recent chance to actually drive a Chevy Volt has made us sit up and pay attention!

dpeilow · 01-24-2010, 12:36 PM

This is disappointing:

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The connector is the proposed SAE J1772 standard plug. In theory it is capable of handling 16.8KW / 70 amps, so it was a surprise to us that the Volt can only charge at a 3KW rate at 240V. This is half of what the EV1 and typical house circuit (such as for an electric dryer) can handle. The reasoning might be that the Volt has a smaller battery back to fill, but we feel that it should use up to 6 KW for those times when we might want a quick recharge while having lunch or other short stop at home or a public charger.

vfx · 01-24-2010, 05:24 PM

It Sucks!

vfx · 02-17-2010, 08:22 AM

Chevy Volt: The test drive - Video - Business News

ChargeIt! · 02-17-2010, 08:39 AM

That link makes both IE8 and FF3.5.7 crash on my PC.

MPT · 02-17-2010, 04:57 PM

conspiracy mode: perhaps a last minute panic; they were never supposed to get this far this soon /

malcolm · 02-18-2010, 05:00 AM

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Originally Posted by vfx

It Sucks!

Agreed. Would push owners toward just relying on the on-board generator to recharge the battery. But if the battery can handle higher recharge currents from the generator (not to mention re-gen) then why not allow the same from the wall socket?

Possibly a way to claim poor customer experience of/ response to socket recharging and so drop the plan for a pure EV version?

dpeilow · 02-18-2010, 06:55 AM

Probably not so much of a conspiracy theory: If 8kWh of the Volt battery is used, then (at least conceptually) it charging at 3kW is the same as a Roadster charging at 16kW. So it's probably just down to the chemistry.