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Posts Tagged “

volt

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alternative energy

Something To Th!nk About Regarding The Coming (Hopefully) Green Vehicle Revolution

When we heard that Th!nk was coming to America our cynicism censors immediately lit up. Is this the same Th!nk that failed here before, went bankrupt, had their electric bike recalled and has annoying punctuation in their name? Yes. But they got that sweet sweet Kleiner Perkins VC money, right? True, that money has yet to produce a commercially successful car. The interesting history of all that below. More »

Feature

4:20 PM on Tue Apr 29 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,921 views, 29 comments

Latest by kengrubb: In the U.S., an electric vehicle is likely NOT being charged with electricity from a coal source. [www.eia.doe.gov] more »

2011 chevy volt

GM Calls Us Out, Claim Chevy Volt Spy Photos Not-So-Much Electric

Remember when we ran the spy photos of that not-so-much-sexy Chevy Volt mule yesterday? Remember how there was a certain assumption this one carried that all important E-flex powertrain? Well, according to GM E-Flex spokesman Rob Peterson, what we saw was only a ride and handling mule — this is the E-Flex equipped Malibu. Okay, so the color is different. This proves nothing! Regardless, the Chevy Volt is still pretty far out on its timeline — so far out that Popular Mechanics doesn't even know GM is working on exactly what they're asking for in their latest opinion piece. True, the Volt's got a second powertrain in there, but for the most part it does what they're asking for. Hmm, maybe they should just stick with getting Wert to lobby for better concept cars or, you know, rendering flying cars every other month.

[GMVolt.com, Popular Mechanics]

3:20 PM on Thu Apr 17 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,816 views, 16 comments

Latest by ranwhenparked: @El-Fez: 30 years ago, cars weighed about 1/2-1/3 of what they do today. No airbags, side impact beams, traction control, 5 gig hard drives, 18 speaker audio systems, 100 pounds of sound deadening insulation, etc. etc. Economy cars also tended to have more »

spy photos

Radio Reporter Sneaks Out First Video Of Chevy Volt Electric Car

UPDATE: The Chevy Volt Forum's got pictures from inside the design studio of the interior and a GM artists render of the front. Hit the jump to see it in all of its graininess. - Second update: now with a front end picture!Something we didn't tell you yesterday was that while we were in attendance at the GM event yesterday, we pulled out our cell phone to check a text message we'd just received. Immediately, GM PR was on top of us, confiscating the phone because it had a camera on it. OK, we could deal with that — we understood they didn't want the scoop to get out that we'd just seen both the first test mule of the Chevy Volt electric car (dressed up in the skin of a late model Chevy Malibu) and a scale model of what the actual Volt will look like when it hits the road in two years. But apparently some pigs are more equal than other at these embargoed and supposedly confidential press events. WWJ Radio's Jeff Gilbert has posted video of the battery lab and the wind tunnel we described from yesterdays Chevy Volt event at GM. We don't know how he got out of there alive with it, we don't know why GM officials weren't all over him for filming this and we don't know what the ramifications will be. But seriously though, who knew a radio reporter could be so sneaky, anyway? Kudos to Jeff on his liberation of the video. However, although we won't be the first ones to break embargoes, we also won't be the third. Without further ado, the video above tells the story we saw better than the words out of our fingertips. More »

Spy Photos

5:30 PM on Fri Apr 4 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
26,764 views, 86 comments

Latest by skierpage: @Hello_Newman: An additional X prize couldn't hurt because batteries are so crucial for cars and laptops and the BigDog robot, but I agree with others: batteries are good enough right now, even the EV1's batteries were good enough to meet more »

future vehicles

Spending The Day With The Chevy Volt

UPDATE: Thanks to intrepid commenter stopcrazypp, we just broke the first video of the 2010 Chevy Volt, go check it out. Yesterday we took a trip out the sprawling campus of the GM Tech Center in Warren Michigan. The enormous Eero Saarinen designed complex has been recently upgraded with the Vehicle Tech Center, where we would be rubbing elbows with about eighty of the industries finest hacks and flacks for the day. The motor press had all descended on the complex for a rare glimpse inside the world of GM development, and not for just any car, but for the incredibly important and high profile Chevy Volt. More »

Feature

1:30 PM on Fri Apr 4 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
5,898 views, 49 comments

Latest by DerKublewagen53: I love hybrids, and I love flex fuel cars. When Chevy make the volt like this, any environmental hippy would have an orgasm. more »

industry news

Chrysler's Press Claims Japan Paid 100% Of Toyota Prius Hybrid, Battery Development; Lutz Says Volt Could Cost $48,000

BusinessWeek's David Kiley had a fun idea to spend some time talking with some industry heavy-hitters about CAFE and fuel economy. He spent a few minutes talking to both former Toyota USA President and current #2 at Chrysler, Jim Press, as well as GM Vice-Chairman "Maximum" Bob Lutz. The topic was the fuel efficient topic of choice among greenies, hybrids. In the article, Lutz claimed the upcoming Chevy Vaporware Volt might end up with a sticker price at around $48K. Normally that would make a pretty spectacular lead for us, especially given it's a price tag that's betwen 33% and 60% higher than originally stated by the brand all about the 'merican revolution and the GM exec born from jets. Fortunately for him, his comments were eclipsed by Press on the Prius. More »

11:00 AM on Tue Apr 1 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
3,669 views, 110 comments

Latest by petersterncan: "Toyota to boost Prius output to 450,000 units/year by 2009" [www.marketwatch.com] That's one hell of a "niche"... more »

news

Continental Automotive Systems Announces Production For Chevy Volt-Like Batteries

The GM-athon continues unabated today and even though this isn't Maximum El Camino Day related, it is pretty damned interesting. The prototype supplier of the Li-ion batteries for the much anticipated Chevy Volt, Continental Automotive Systems, has just stated production by the end of this year for similar batteries in the Mercedes S400 BlueHYBRID. Interesting we say because we know that BMW, GM, and Chrysler were bosom buddies for hybrids until Cerberus broke up the party, and now yet another Deutschland partner may have emerged. Seriously, how many companies does it take to make a gasoline and electric powered car?[AutoElectronics via GMInsideNews]

6:30 PM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,013 views, 28 comments

Latest by ab3: @Benson2175: You know I could ask you the same question. I am sick of people pissing on GM whenever they try something new. You know why the Prius is so unpopular? Because it is downright ugly, it looks like a more »

The General will be holding a "Volt Nation Town Hall" at the New York Auto Show to give an insider sneak peek of the Chevy Volt. There's room for 250 folks and you even get a press pass. Interested in a dose of hypnotic hype? Sign up now. [GM-Volt]

5 comments

alternative energy

Chevy Volt Gets A $5K Price Hike As GM Puts Engineers To The Lash

Don't break open those piggy banks yet, Volt fanatics. The Greatest Car Not Quite Yet on Earth isn't close to being ready, and that $30,000 price tag we told you about is a crock, but not that kind of a crock. The latest price figure is putting the Volt mystery mobile at $35,000. The reason behind this $5,000 price hike originates with the stereo and the windshield wipers. Wait, what?
More »

2:45 PM on Wed Feb 13 2008
By Travis Hudson
3,264 views, 62 comments

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A Lesson In Advertising From GM

Dear GM,
While you hit the right spot for some people, the majority of your target audience in fact doesn't like to get their toes licked by dogs. I often find myself thinking about how this ad does not properly convey the message you are trying to send with the Chevy Volt. The Volt is supposed to be the biggest and most badass futuristic vehicle ever. Like io9 futuristic. And here you are trying to sell the public on the vehicle with an individual partaking in a display of foot-fetish bestiality. I have attached the vcard for a friend of mine who just started up a advertising business. I am more than sure that his experience will be very beneficial for you.
Sincerely,
Traumatized in Texas

4:45 PM on Tue Feb 12 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,799 views, 30 comments

Latest by toyotaboy: I really don't like american car companies, but I do like the chevy volt. Of course by the time they actually release it, the prius will already be doing the same thing (which has a better fuel management system more »

alternative energy

Buy a 1:32 Die Cast Chevy Volt Because You'll Never Own the Real Deal


It pains me to continue to speculate on this thing, but here we go again. Now there is a limited edition 1:32 die cast of the Volt that can be purchased. Part of me wants to think that Chevy is testing the waters to see how many people would be, um, die hard enough Volt fans to warrant a purchase of a die cast replica of the non-existent 'lectric sedan. Only 7,500 models were made by Bburago, and each unit has a very collector's edition $14 price tag. Anybody out there interested? Anybody? Come on Lutz, tell me that you have bought one. [Product Page via AMG]

4:15 PM on Thu Jan 24 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,137 views, 21 comments

Latest by Captain_Spadaro: What if I DON'T want either the die-cast or the real deal? more »

industry news

Tesla Founder Would Drive a Chevy Volt


We've heard numbers, seen the commercial, heard about production and seen the live pictures, but the idea of the Volt being the real deal remains questionable to a lot of industry observers. Definitely not Martin Eberhard, however. Tesla's founder and former bossman is a believer. More »

4:45 PM on Mon Jan 21 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,661 views, 15 comments

ces

First Shots Beneath The Skin Of The Fuel Cell Volt


Our partners in crime over at Giz may not have gotten any sleep this week while patrolling the Consumer Electronics Show, but they did manage to snap some shots under the hood of the hydrogen fuel-cell Volt. You'll notice the hydrogen tanks in the rear of the car and a battery pack out front that's smaller than the original by about 20% but will still let the car travel on electric-only power for about 40 miles. Remember, this is the same E-Flex platform found on the Cadillac Provoq.


More »

9:45 AM on Tue Jan 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
814 views, 9 comments

Latest by SeanKHotay: @rusty68: Haynes might have it wrong...like they do for the ignition cylinder wiring on a SAAB C900. more »

industry news

Bob Lutz to Star in Who Revived the Electric Car?

Strange bedfellows, indeed. Newsweek has a tidy little article about Chevy's upcoming Volt. Maximum Bob explains how his initial proposal for an electric car was shot down by engineers working on fuel cell cars and still smarting from the Saturn EV1debacle experiment. However, Lutz says it was Tesla Motors announcing they would build a lithium ion powered electric car that set the Volt in motion, "That tore it for me. If some Silicon Valley start-up can solve this equation, no one is going to tell me anymore that it's unfeasible." Chris Paine, the director of Who Killed the Electric Car? is so impressed with Lutz's commitment... More »

1:15 PM on Thu Dec 27 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
1,457 views, 37 comments

Latest by kevmark58: There's so much that can be said here I don't know where to start. Go to the GM-Volt website. There is so much information and Lyle (who manages the site) has had exclusive inside access to the Volt engineers, designers more »

industry news

Chevy Volt Battery Cell from A123 Systems

First of all, our good buddy Autoblog Sam is now writing for Hydrogen Forecast. Go Sam! Second, A123 Systems showed off their new "prismatic lithium-iron-phosphate cell" at the twenty-third Electric Vehicle Symposium in Anaheim, CA. This new battery cell was developed for General Motors' E-Flex development program, and that means it will wend its way into the 2011 Chevy Volt. Those of you in the snow belt will be happy to know that the the cells work in -40 degrees. For those living in the sun belt, they are good at temps as high as 120. What does that mean for those days in Vegas when it's 125 in the shade? We don't know. But we do know that these cells will be in Volt mules by 2008. [Hydrogen Forecast]

3:15 PM on Wed Dec 12 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
1,113 views, 12 comments

Latest by kbarrett: But is calling in individual cell a "battery cell" correct if it is a cell from a given battery? more »

detroit auto show

Chevy Volt Production Image Breaks

A lot of people were excited about the Volt concept and were a bit shocked to learn that the design we saw was not the design we'd get. What we have here, in a press release about wind tunnel testing, is the first teaser image of GM's new electric car. The company plans to reduce the drag as much as possible on the Volt so as to increase the electric range. The nose in the drawing is not quite as dramatic as the Volt concept, but is definitely derivative of the current GM stable. Larger image and press release below.

More »

4:00 PM on Mon Dec 10 2007
By Matt Hardigree
3,263 views, 39 comments

Latest by billstewartx: i want this look more »

industry news

Lutz to World: Volt Coming by 2010

Suck it Ed Begley, Jr! Maximum Bob Lutz says that the Chevy Volt, which he also promised wouldn't look like the Volt concept, is going to be road tested early next year and put into production by 2010. Said Lutz, "When [people] think of GM, the iconic brand is, unfortunately, the Hummer." And now the iconic image is going to be the Volt? Really? A vehicle that can only go 40 miles on electric power? More »

6:00 PM on Wed Nov 21 2007
By Matt Hardigree
2,087 views, 39 comments

news

Chevy Volt To Be Produced At GM Detroit Hamtramck Assembly

We may have gotten the scoop on the old, dead Malibus GM will use to test the Chevrolet Volt, but the New York Times Detroit Free Press gets the scoop on where the Chevy Volt will end up being built:
"Among G.M.'s commitments to the union was a promise to build the Chevrolet Volt, a hybrid-electric car, in its Hamtramck, Mich., plant, beginning in 2010. G.M. has said production of the car could start a year later, however. The Volt is a pet project of G.M.'s vice chairman, Robert A. Lutz, who said today that G.M. was pleased with the contract."
That's right folks — now Hamtramck will be known for both Paczkis and the Chevy Volt. How electric! [Freep via New York Times]

5:39 PM on Fri Sep 28 2007
By Ray Wert
1,163 views, 13 comments

Latest by rlj676: @bmoredlj: I'm sure you're stating a fact here with some backup that you can easily share with all? You wouldn't just be bashing GM with no knowledge or reason would you? more »

ad watch

Chevy Gives Kids A Hummer With The Volt Electric Car


So there's now a commercial for the Chevy Volt concept car — which is kind of weird because they're not actually selling a Volt yet, but whatever. In the commercial you've got a line of kids with the sides of their faces planted on the long hard slab of metal that's the hood of the Chevy Volt. It's then that we find out the Volt hums. We're not sure why it hums, especially because we didn't know it even had batteries for an e-flexible engine to feed, but again, whatever. The thing that's disconcerting to us is the fact that Chevy lets an adult male speak to children about humming of any sort. That's just weird.

4:35 PM on Thu Sep 27 2007
By Ray Wert
4,420 views, 41 comments

Latest by Novaload: Too bad they're not all resting their little faces against something with a pulse instead of a hum--say, a '69 cuda 440. More rattle, less hum, please. more »