Volt's electric-only range extended!

[Mr. Wyndham]

GM announces improvements to electric car design

General Motors Corp. has added 6 or 7 miles of range to the Chevrolet Volt through aerodynamically driven design changes to the production-version of the vehicle, the vehicle’s chief designer said.

Speaking at the Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse City, Bob Boniface, the director of design for the Chevrolet Volt and E-Flex studio, said that the automaker has removed 120 counts of aerodynamic drag, or extended the electric range of the vehicle by about 6 or 7 miles.

Some of the changes that contributed to the better range, he said, include rounding the front corners of the vehicle, adding a small lip to the rear spoiler and sharpening the edge of the rear of the vehicle.

In addition, Boniface shared some detail about the center console of the extended-range electric vehicle, which GM plans to launch in late 2010. The center console, he said will have iPod-style controls, with a touch-pad for environmental and entertainment systems.

GM is aiming to launch a Volt that could drive at least 40 miles on electric charge alone and then could recharge using a small gasoline engine for hundreds of miles of additional range.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...014/BUSINESS01

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

GM announces improvements to electric car design

General Motors Corp. has added 6 or 7 miles of range to the Chevrolet Volt through aerodynamically driven design changes to the production-version of the vehicle, the vehicle’s chief designer said.

Speaking at the Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse City, Bob Boniface, the director of design for the Chevrolet Volt and E-Flex studio, said that the automaker has removed 120 counts of aerodynamic drag, or extended the electric range of the vehicle by about 6 or 7 miles.

Some of the changes that contributed to the better range, he said, include rounding the front corners of the vehicle, adding a small lip to the rear spoiler and sharpening the edge of the rear of the vehicle.

In addition, Boniface shared some detail about the center console of the extended-range electric vehicle, which GM plans to launch in late 2010. The center console, he said will have iPod-style controls, with a touch-pad for environmental and entertainment systems.

GM is aiming to launch a Volt that could drive at least 40 miles on electric charge alone and then could recharge using a small gasoline engine for hundreds of miles of additional range.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...014/BUSINESS01

Sounds like these improvements are only at higher speed, and will not help normal in town driving range.
Still sounds like they have a long way to go on this. i guess progress is progress.

I would like to see them use the same aero improvements also on their gas powered cars.

[TAG UR IT]

Holy cow....so this means that the Volt could potentially go 46 to 47 miles on a charge instead of the original 40miles?? I wasn't expecting that!

[TAG UR IT]

I remember that they have been saying 40 miles for some time now. But, to have them simply come out and say another 6 to 7 miles added to the efficiency of the electric batteries makes it sound like they are adding to the preset 40 mile range.

I'd say, if they haven't hit the 40 mile range yet....and are struggling to get there, you don't release info like this since it doesn't really do anything for the image. On one hand, it shows we wanted to get there and already had the plans to get there (but we haven't been able to) and two...it shows that GM is making huge strides in getting all out of this vehicle they can. It's kind of a win/lose situation when releasing this type of information......IF it isn't an added 6 to 7 miles to the battery charge.

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Holy cow....so this means that the Volt could potentially go 46 to 47 miles on a charge instead of the original 40miles?? I wasn't expecting that!

47 miles on a single charge and then it re-charges after that using gas. What is the mpg of the car when that happens?

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by Supermans

47 miles on a single charge and then it re-charges after that using gas. What is the mpg of the car when that happens?

Read the posts on this page.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...?t=5910&page=2

There's some good information on how economical it can or can't be depending on the situation.

Might help.

[boxmonkeyracing]

Originally Posted by Skyman 08

Sounds like these improvements are only at higher speed, and will not help normal in town driving range.
Still sounds like they have a long way to go on this. i guess progress is progress.

I would like to see them use the same aero improvements also on their gas powered cars.

with my commute and yours being the way they are we won't have to worry about traffic and that benefit is for us. . .I would love to get my hands on one of these after I get my camaro.

[BowtieGuy]

This car is going to be spectacular. I personally can't wait till we start seeing electric only performance cars become mainstream. Much like the Tesla Roadster, only much cheaper.

[DGthe3]

Wow, a ~15% boost in electric range? Thats huge, especially since its in efficiency as opposed to adding more batteries. That will also lead to an improvement in its gasoline based fuel economy as well. Recharge the batteries quicker (cause its not being drained as fast), then it will turn the generator off sooner and use less gas.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by BowtieGuy

This car is going to be spectacular. I personally can't wait till we start seeing electric only performance cars become mainstream. Much like the Tesla Roadster, only much cheaper.

I can't wait to see what options become available for performance electric cars. The world of performance will dramatically change with the introduction of alternative fuels. I can't wait to see what new performance customs people begin building.

[BowtieGuy]

Especially since with electric cars, as soon as you push the pedal you have max torque. Think of it this way guys. There are R/C cars with motors a third the size of your fist that can go up to 70 mph. Granted those little cars are way scaled down, but so are the engines...

[Supermans]

I see an electric Camaro down the road as an option. If so, I hope it replaces the V6 and we still get the V8 of today that matches whats in the current Corvette... V8 should live on as is in both the Camaro and Corvette forever. Let the V6 change to become a hybrid or Volt like...