Get ready, Chevy Volt due this November. Update!!!

[jeryst]

Does anyone know what type of traction it has? I mean, are there electric motors on each wheel, so it can be a true 4WD, or are there motors on 2 wheels, or is there a main motor that powers a drive shaft?

[Chargerrtforme]

Awesome info here.  

http://translogic.aolautos.com/2010/08/16/translogic-5-3/

Nice video clip.

[1969chargerrtse]

Does anyone know what type of traction it has? I mean, are there electric motors on each wheel, so it can be a true 4WD, or are there motors on 2 wheels, or is there a main motor that powers a drive shaft?

Around the 1:30 mark they show how the generator kicks in and powers the batteries that power the motors and it looks like front wheel drive.

[PocketThunder]

This electric car idea has been a fad since 1832.. 

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aacarselectrica.htm

[1969chargerrtse]

Oh yeah, if you go to Jay Lenos site on the Volt clip, he has a old electric car powered by a gas engine with a generator.

[TUFCAT]

To hell with the car, check out Valerie at 2:55!!! 

http://translogic.aolautos.com/2010/08/23/translogic-5-4/?a_dgi=aolshare_email

[1969chargerrtse]

Start beating me up.  I guess Chevy is taking a beating for claiming the car was 100% electric drive when in fact after 70mph the motor helps it along.  I think it was released yeaterday?

[BB1]

Funny, because I knew that months ago. 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Start beating me up.  I guess Chevy is taking a beating for claiming the car was 100% electric drive when in fact after 70mph the motor helps it along.  I think it was released yeaterday?

The Camaro guys have been  about it for several days, have a look:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110252

[1969chargerrtse]

"When the car reaches 70 mph the main motor spins too fast to be maximally efficient, and a clutch disengages the ring from the case. This allows the second electric motor to participate and both motors act in parallel to reach speeds of 101 mph with adequate power.

In charge sustaining mode, the gas engine goes on and clutches to the generator causing it to produce electricity to continue powering the main motor.

However of particular interest, when going above 70 mph in charge sustaining mode, and the generator gets coupled to the drivetrain, the gas engine participates in the motive force. GM says the engine never drives the wheels all by itself, but will participate in this particular situation in the name of efficiency, which is improved by 10 to 15 percent."


http://gm-volt.com/2010/10/11/motor-...ts-powertrain/

[TUFCAT]

I saw three silver Volts going down the road yesterday in Plymouth MI. They looked like regular production cars....and very good looking!

I'd roll one. 

[1969chargerrtse]

Cool stuff.  That link you posted was great.

[1969chargerrtse]

Well it's November and the Volt is out, and the Motor Trend article does it good.  America should be proud.  Job well done, and the future looks great.  

[1969chargerrtse]

Last page.

[Charger440RDN]

The more the technology improves the uglier the cars get This is a great step toward the future though.

[Silver R/T]

This bites Toyota in the ass big time. First all those recalls and now domestic competition. I'm afraid Mr. Toyoda will have to perform seppuku.

[mauve66]

did the article say anything about a speaker system to make it SOUND like a car???

[1969chargerrtse]

did the article say anything about a speaker system to make it SOUND like a car???

Actually I read there is some type of horn that alerts people the car is coming because of how quite it rolls.
I just think a different type of technology to propell cars is cool.  I also think it's sharp looking.  Can't wait to see one here in Ct.  I know some others have seen them and say it's nice.  GO America!!

[Khyron]

Im gonna go stick 500 D size batterys up my cars ass and see how it does

[69bronzeT5]

Im gonna go stick 500 D size batterys up my cars ass and see how it does

LOL

[Brock Samson]

 A couple things,
For one Toyota has invested heavily in TESLA Motors and Panasonic jumped in bed I mean on board last week,.. Toyota even reused the old NUMI motors factory here in Fremont Calif. which they used to share with GM to produce the Vibe/Matrix twins, Toyota trucks were made there too as a mater of fact. Helps the local economy quite a bit to re-hire some of the thousands of recently laid-off assembly-line workers. So no way should Toyota be counted out of the Electric Race. An Electric RAV -4 is just around the corner. BTW: The last quarter numbers posted by TESLA even if massaged as no doubt they were are nothing to sneeze at.
 

This bites Toyota in the ass big time. First all those recalls and now domestic competition. I'm afraid Mr. Toyoda will have to perform seppuku.

Silver just once I wish you'd do a teeny tiny bit of research before posting everything your tiny mind seems to know, kinda'.  http://green.autoblog.com/category/tesla-motors/
Another think - I mean thing is that Mike Musto of Drive Angry fame had one all this past week and did a looong cross country drive inna Volt... look for a full report here soon.
                      http://www.ridelust.com/2011-chevrolet-volt-road-test-preview/#more-63139

[Dans 68]

I wonder why there are sooo many rebates (read subsidized by the Government) offered on this car? http://www.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/07/chevy-volt-will-cost-41000-before-tax-rebate/1 The answer is it can't make it on its own merits, and that this technology is not mature enough for the market. "Here, purchase this car! It will save you money and the earth!"           

Dan

[chargerboy69]

I wonder why there are sooo many rebates (read subsidized by the Government) offered on this car? http://www.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/07/chevy-volt-will-cost-41000-before-tax-rebate/1 The answer is it can't make it on its own merits, and that this technology is not mature enough for the market. "Here, purchase this car! It will save you money and the earth!"           

Dan

That is exactly right, it can not. 

[1969chargerrtse]

I wonder why there are sooo many rebates (read subsidized by the Government) offered on this car? http://www.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/07/chevy-volt-will-cost-41000-before-tax-rebate/1 The answer is it can't make it on its own merits, and that this technology is not mature enough for the market. "Here, purchase this car! It will save you money and the earth!"        

Dan

That is exactly right, it can not.  

You guys are like my wife. Why do you have to take things to the extreme?  Something wrong with getting 4 people around in a car that can get over 125mpg? ( Or whatever the true numbers are? ) You need to go pay 5.00 a gallon again to remember what it is like for the oil companies to have you by the nuts. Did you do the same complaining when carbs went to fuel injection, or the big bad car companies stopped using points and went with electronic ignition.  I wonder if the negative talk is about because another company than Mopar is involved?  You can't be that shallow?
Thanks for posting that link Brock, it looks interesting.

[NYCMille]

Guys -

I just drove the Volt from NY to Detroit on Monday and Tuesday. It's a great car and one that we're currently working up a full review on. If you'd like, ask any questions you'd like as I assure you you'll get honest answers. The full review will be posted up at Ridelust.com, a site for which I am the Editor-in-Chief. Shoot me questions and I'll incorporate them into the review.

Mike