2010 VOLVO C30

Chrevrolet Volt's Innovative GPS System

There are some new  features in the new Chevy Volt. For instance, what seems to be a GPS system at first sight, actually can also tell the driver how far he is from home. This is especially helpful in an electric car that is, it usually charges at home. It is a plug-in electric computer which can calculate how much time the car can use the gas engine to charge the on-board battery pack, providing a real fuel economy.

Opel Verstion of Volt coming In 2011

Opel is coming out with it's own version of the new Chevrolet Volt, a european sister.

"Opel will have a version of the Volt that will look more like an Opel. It will be a close sister to the Chevrolet Volt," said a GM source.

"We are trying to position Opel toward the upper side of the high-volume segments and having the Volt technology will give Opel a competitive edge," the source told Automotive News Europe.

GM aims to launch production versions of the Volt in the US in late 2010. The proposed European variant, the Flextreme, was shown at the 2007 IAA in Frankfurt.

The first models to reach Europe will be supplied from the Hamtramck assembly plant in Detroit, but GM also plans to make the in Europe.

Toyota Prius vs. Chevrolet Volt

General Motors ends its first century this month. And, you'll have heard, it ain't in very good shape in the US.

So here's the car on which it's betting its second century. The Volt, on sale in 2010 is a hybrid, but not as we know it. They're calling it the extended-range electric vehicle. There is an engine, a new 1.4-litre petrol four, mounted at the front as per usual. But, unlike the Toyota or Honda hybrids, it never drives the wheels directly. In future years, that engine could be replaced by a fuel cell.

In fact, the Volt is designed to give up to 40 miles on battery power alone, with full 150bhp performance available. This, says GM after lots of study, is enough for the habitual daily mileage of 80 percent of American drivers - 12,000 miles a year at 40 miles a day, six days a week. So they'll get home at night and plug in to cheap household electricity, getting that 40 miles for 50p at US mains prices. They might go weeks or months never needing the engine.

When it does spark up, the engine simply charges up the battery - although only partially, as GM wants the car always to arrive at its destination in a depleted state so you can use the mains to re-charge. Even with the engine cycling to keep the batteries at constant charge, the Volt will do about 60mpg.

Disappointed that this doesn't look have the electric-Camaro looks of the Volt show car? Come on, it's better than a Prius. The shape has morphed from show to production to make space for four adults, and the corners had to be rounded off because every scintilla of drag kocked back the electric range.

It's only a four-seater because the upper body tapers backwards to cut drag, and because there's a big battery box running along the car like an overgrown tranmission tunnel. The lithium ion pack weighs 180kg, taking the whole Volt to 1800kg.

By 2012 or so, there will be a Vauxhall/Opel version for Europe with unique styling. The Volt uses the platform of the next Astra, which gives you an idea of its size. And because they had to develop all sorts of power and weight-saving features for the Volt, like climate control and power assists, the Astra will be a better car because of it.

I've met a lot of Volt engineers and they're absolute fanatics. I wish them well. A lot of them worked on the original EV1. Who killed the electric car? If it was GM, then we desperately need it to be GM who brings it back.

Source: Top Gear

2010 CHEVROLET VOLT

GM Shrinks Volt's Gas Tank

One of the many things General Motors boasted about when it unveiled the Volt concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007 was its 600-mile range. This was achieved partially by the battery pack, which could sustain a (theoretical) charge allowing the Volt to run for 40 miles without reverting to the gasoline engine/generator, as well as a 12-gallon fuel tank. According to Kicking Tires, GM has shrunk the size of the tank by an unknown quantity and the result is a reduction in range from 600 to 400 miles – or 360 miles without the aid of battery power.

The General maintains that since most owners don't travel more than 40 miles in one day, it wasn't necessary to fit the Volt with a larger tank. That reduction in capacity will save some weight, but what will it cost in public perception? The hype surrounding GM's supposed savior and game-changer are based on two figures: range and cost. If GM can deliver on both counts, they might have a hit on their hands. If not, the Volt will be DOA the day it hits dealers.