NY Times Test Drives Volt

Justin · 11-20-2009, 01:54 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/au...er=rss&emc=rss

Quote:

SITTING behind the wheel of a 2011 Chevrolet Volt prototype on Wednesday, I found myself confronting what may be the greatest fear that future owners of electric vehicles will face: a battery-charge indicator showing just a few miles of remaining range.

I'm kinda pleasantly shocked to see the Volt so favorably compared to Tesla and BMW models. :-)

DropTheGloves · 11-20-2009, 01:57 PM

I am not a fan of electric cars, but eventually, that's what we will be working with only.

I also hope they have fixed the fire issues with the Volt. I remember hearing when it first was in talks and what not, they started one, or were driving it, and it randomly caught on fire.

*DGthe3* · 11-23-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropTheGloves

I am not a fan of electric cars, but eventually, that's what we will be working with only.

I also hope they have fixed the fire issues with the Volt. I remember hearing when it first was in talks and what not, they started one, or were driving it, and it randomly caught on fire.

I've been following the Volt relatively closely and I've never heard that. But cars do ocasionally catch fire durring testing. A ZR1 turbocharged prototype was destroyed by a 'thermal event'.

Xanthos · 11-23-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I've been following the Volt relatively closely and I've never heard that. But cars do ocasionally catch fire durring testing. A ZR1 turbocharged prototype was destroyed by a 'thermal event'.

There's a very, very large cap between prototype "issues" and actual production issues, if any. Thats the point of a prototype: its like the rough draft for a paper. Its going to have flaws, some of them rather serious. But you wouldn't submit it for publication either.
- X

P.S. - I also have never heard of any flaming volts, by the way.

a_Username · 11-23-2009, 02:56 AM

Can you imagine being the test drivers of one of those cars and it caught on fire? I'd be wearing a flame-suit in every test drive afterwards.

*DGthe3* · 11-23-2009, 03:12 AM

anyway, that was a good article. Sounds like the only major bug they have left is the switch from EV to RE mode, which shouldn't be too hard. Start the generator, and then ramp up the throttle. As it is, it sounds like the generator has 3 settings: off, idle, full power. The trick is to do it fast enough to maintain efficiency yet not be too abrupt.

Xanthos · 11-23-2009, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

anyway, that was a good article. Sounds like the only major bug they have left is the switch from EV to RE mode, which shouldn't be too hard. Start the generator, and then ramp up the throttle. As it is, it sounds like the generator has 3 settings: off, idle, full power. The trick is to do it fast enough to maintain efficiency yet not be too abrupt.

Yep - and that could also be aided by things like a more finalized exhaust for the generator and more sound dampening material.
- X

FenwickHockey65 · 11-23-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropTheGloves

I am not a fan of electric cars, but eventually, that's what we will be working with only.

I also hope they have fixed the fire issues with the Volt. I remember hearing when it first was in talks and what not, they started one, or were driving it, and it randomly caught on fire.

Do you have a link? That's the first time I've ever heard of that.

TheCaptain · 11-23-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropTheGloves

I am not a fan of electric cars, but eventually, that's what we will be working with only.

I also hope they have fixed the fire issues with the Volt. I remember hearing when it first was in talks and what not, they started one, or were driving it, and it randomly caught on fire.

I would also like to see some evidence of this as well.

DropTheGloves · 11-23-2009, 10:14 AM

I don't have the link. I can't remember if I seen it on another car forum, on a reputable car site, or in a car magazine. I do remember it though.

FenwickHockey65 · 11-23-2009, 10:54 AM

I just did a Google search and...nothing.

DropTheGloves · 11-23-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I just did a Google search and...nothing.

Trust me lol, I did hear about it. I can not remember where I heard about it, but I did. It was something like an electrical fire or something. They planned on fixing the issue asap. If I feel like it, I will try finding it..

FenwickHockey65 · 11-23-2009, 12:13 PM

Are you sure you weren't thinking about the EV-1s? Those had some fire problems.

Captain Awesome · 11-23-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropTheGloves

I am not a fan of electric cars, but eventually, that's what we will be working with only.

What makes you say that? The Climate Change Alarmists suppfered a huge setback last week when some hacker published all their emails revealing an effort to distort the facts. This could put an end to their war on fossil fuels!

11-23-2009, 03:12 AM	#6
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	anyway, that was a good article. Sounds like the only major bug they have left is the switch from EV to RE mode, which shouldn't be too hard. Start the generator, and then ramp up the throttle. As it is, it sounds like the generator has 3 settings: off, idle, full power. The trick is to do it fast enough to maintain efficiency yet not be too abrupt. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

11-23-2009, 10:54 AM	#11
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	I just did a Google search and...nothing. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

11-23-2009, 12:13 PM	#13
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	Are you sure you weren't thinking about the EV-1s? Those had some fire problems. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

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11-20-2009, 01:57 PM	#2
DropTheGloves Account Suspended Drives: 2009 TT 335/2009 GSX-R 1000/ECT.. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 772	I am not a fan of electric cars, but eventually, that's what we will be working with only. I also hope they have fixed the fire issues with the Volt. I remember hearing when it first was in talks and what not, they started one, or were driving it, and it randomly caught on fire.

11-23-2009, 02:56 AM	#5
a_Username Drives: 2010 2SS Camaro Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 3,890 View My Garage	Can you imagine being the test drivers of one of those cars and it caught on fire? I'd be wearing a flame-suit in every test drive afterwards.

11-23-2009, 10:14 AM	#10
DropTheGloves Account Suspended Drives: 2009 TT 335/2009 GSX-R 1000/ECT.. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 772	I don't have the link. I can't remember if I seen it on another car forum, on a reputable car site, or in a car magazine. I do remember it though.