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Chevy Volt To Feature iPhone-Like Touchscreen, Prius-Like LooksOn track for 2010 |
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| By Michael d'Estries in Hybrids, Transportation, Travel | April 5, 2008 | ||
Popular Mechanics has chimed in with a first-hand update on the progress being made by General Motors on the R&D of the Chevy Volt electric vehicle. There are some excellent tidbits of previously unknown information revealed. Let’s get to the highlights:
Two new battery packs are currently being tested — a nonophosphate unit with cylindrical cells from A123 Systems and large, stacked wafers of manganese oxide from Compact Power, a division of LG. Initially, GM was using a nickel-metal hydride unit, but that’s all changed now as technology has finally caught up. These batteries will be tested at various GM proving grounds all summer. An interesting note: If all goes well, GM might be wise to use both battery packs. “This is high-risk technology. What if something goes wrong on one battery production line?,” said Rocky Mountain Institute vice president Michael Brylawski. We’re not so sure if this would be cost-effective, but it’s something to ponder.
The Volt will most likely be a four-seater. The usual middle seat that everyone fights over to avoid? A portion of that will be the battery pack protruding from the rear. Imagine a “T” type configuration and you get a better idea of how the packs will be arranged.
The Volt has spent more time in the wind tunnel than any other current GM car in production. This makes sense, since some top level executives I remember commented earlier that the current concept would get better mileage driving backwards! Look for an updated aero profile compared to the original model. In fact, PM describes the production model as a mix between the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic. The production model is kept at all times in the studio under a red sheet. No green, GM?
But what about the dash? From the article, “ Weber promises the Volt will provide an iPhone-like touchscreen interface between driver and vehicle. A large display screen will likely be standard and allow owners to custom-tailor certain driving and charging parameters. For example, he says you could plug in your car at home and then program it to charge, say five hours later, when off-peak power is cheapest.” Pretty damn cool. The interior will feature sustainable materials — from recycled carpets to soy-based foam seats.
The best part is, PM believes General Motor’s target date of 2010 for launch is still spot on. Now, if they can keep it under $30K, GM might just have a serious winner on its hands. Who knows what the price of oil will be by then…
For more details, check out the article here.
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Chris said,
How does the Volt look anything like a Prius? It doesn’t even closely resemble any Honda. LOOKS 10X BETTER GM!
Lanphantom said,
My guess is that GM will screw this up like every other “cool” car they’ve produced. I’m just glad they’ve pulled their head out and are finally looking at producing a semi-green vehicle. Nice job guys, keep it up and hopefully we’ll have more options to choose from before the polar caps melt.
Bryan Seigneur said,
Glad to hear they are reshaping it. I, too, am/was abhorrent of the original look. It looks (hopefully looked) like it was designed not for reduced drag at all, or ergonomics, or visibility. I’m sure if it was an all-petrol sports care shaped like that, plenty of men would buy it after their first job out of college, and then been pissed at themselves for buying something so non-functional years later. As a plug-in, though, it definitely is not the way to go! Dumbasses.
Thomas said,
Are you kidding me Bryan. Plug-ins are the way of the future. With Solar Power coming onliny we will be able to Plug in our electric cars over night!