Chevrolet Volt Hybrid: From Concept to Production

So now that all the pizzazz surrounding the Volt has calmed down and while we wait… a couple of years to see how GM’s revolutionary plug-in electric / gasoline hybrid drivetrain works in real life conditions, let’s take a closer look at how the 2007 Detroit Show concept evolved into the final production car that was revealed to the public last week.

If you’re expecting to read a 2,000 word analysis on the Volt’s design, sorry guys, you lucked out. We’ll be short and to the point: our take is that Chevy’s design team essentially went back to the drawing board and created a conservative 4-box saloon sprinkling it with a handful of styling elements from the concept. -Continued

We understand that Chevy’s designers had to adapt the Volt’s styling and body analogies to our everyday needs but the end result is nothing out of the ordinary and that’s a damn shame for a car that means so much for the future of a troubled company like GM.

Yes, it may look more distinct than the current Toyota Prius or the forthcoming Honda Insight, but then again, what’s the difficulty with that? We can think of more than a dozen or so everyday family cars that manage to stand out from the crowd and they’re not even hybrids.

If you want an example then how about the European market Honda Civic hatchback? Now here’s a production family car that not only looks futuristic in and out having most of the competition licked for style, but it also does it without any compromises whatsoever in terms of interior space or functionality. Why is it so hard GM?

Picture Quiz: Who Designed the Chevrolet Volt?

All in all, GM gave out 13 pictures of people that took part in the development of the Chevrolet Volt electric hybrid. From this group of GM employees, six were involved in way or another with the Volt’s design. In the photo gallery after the jump there are two lead exterior designs, an exterior design manager, an interior design manager, a lead interior designer and a design director. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Think you can prove the saying right by distinguishing the designers from their coworkers in other departments? Just to help you out, we’ve added the first name of the employees on each photo. And since we're apparently being sarcastic, humorous answers will be widely appreciated. -Continued

Chevrolet Volt and Camaro to Make European Premiere at Paris Show

Turns out that our sources we’re spot on when they told us earlier this month that the production Volt will make its first showroom appearance at the 2008 Paris Mondial De L’Automobile as Chevrolet made it official today. Along with the all-electric Volt hybrid, more of which you can read about here, the Orlando minivan concept and the Cruze sedan, the American automaker also announced that it will perform the show debut of the production Camaro in Paris. However, Chevy did not disclose whether or not the Camaro that is offered exclusively with V6 and V8 powertrains will be available for sale in Europe. -Continued

Chevrolet Volt: Live Photos and Video Footage from the Detroit Presentation

It has been approximately 7 hours and 21 minutes since we last posted something about the production version of GM’s all-electric hybrid Chevrolet Volt and we’re already starting to feel all anxious and giddy… But seriously now, we not so sure if all this attention is in the advantage of the Volt as Chevy’s all-electric hybrid won’t hit the market before the end of 2010, and that’s in more than two years time from now.

There’s no point of repeating ourselves so unless you missed out on our previous posts that included a high-resolution image gallery, the initial specs and the first official videos with static and driving shots, just hit the jump to see a set of live photos and video footage from the Volt's official presentation at the GM Centennial event that took place at the company’s Detroit headquarters. -Continued

2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Video Footage in Real World, Includes Driving Scenes

As promised, we’re constantly updating our story on the freshly revealed Chevrolet Volt. Following our previous post that included initial details and specs as well as a high-resolution image gallery, we now bring exclusive video footage of the all-electric Volt in the real world. And just so you can get an idea of what the Volt is all about, according to GM’s preliminary specs, the 177-in / 4.404 mm long sedan is equipped with an electric drive unit that delivers the equivalent of 150HP and 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, offering a top speed of 100mph or 160km/h. –Videos after the jump

The Volt uses electricity to move at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles or 64 km, it is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack. When you’re on the move and the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine (GM hasn’t given out any specific details yet) kicks in providing electricity to power the electric drive unit and to simultaneously charge the battery.

The driver can also charge the Volt’s batteries by plugging it into a standard household 120v (8 hours) outlet or use 240v (3 hours). GM estimates that the cost for charging the batteries is about 80 cents (10 cents per kWh) for a full charge that will allow the driver to use the car for up to 40 miles.

Video I: Chevrolet Volt Driving and Exterior Shots



Video II: Chevrolet Volt Interior Shots

Chevy Volt Production Version: Official High-Res Photos and Preliminary Specs

Update: Click here for video footage

As part of its Centennial celebrations, GM finally took the wraps off the production version of the long-awaited, all-electric Chevrolet Volt that will be available in the States in late 2010. As many might remember, GM’s media partner had released a few teaser images (by mistake) of the Volt in early September but now we have the Full Monty. Just hit the jump to check out the preliminary specifications as well as the initial details and a high-resolution image gallery that includes photos of the production interior. And stay tuned as we’ll be bringing your more information and media content throughout the day. -Continued

PRESS RELEASE: General Motors launched its next 100 years today by unveiling the much-anticipated production version of the Chevrolet Volt - a vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving, with the extended-range capability of hundreds of additional miles.

"Revealing the production version of the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century," said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. "The Volt is symbolic of GM's strong commitment to the future ... just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today's and tomorrow's energy and environmental challenges."

Form follows function
The design of the Chevrolet Volt production car has evolved from the original concept that was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Because aerodynamics plays a key role in maximizing driving range, GM designers created an aerodynamically efficient design for the production vehicle. Many of the design cues from the concept vehicle endure in the production Volt, including the closed front grille, athletic stance, rear design graphics, outside rearview mirrors and more. The Volt's rounded and flush front fascia, tapered corners and grille are functional, enabling air to move easily around the car. In the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler allow the air to flow off and away quickly. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass help reduce turbulence and drag.

Working closely with GM aerodynamicists to shape the Volt, design and engineering teams developed one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in GM's history. They spent hundreds of hours with the Volt in GM's wind tunnel, testing and re-testing parts such as the front and rear quarter panels, rear spoiler, rockers and side mirrors. Aerodynamic improvements enabled GM to reach the Volt's target of driving up to 40 miles (based on EPA city cycle) without using gasoline or producing emissions.

Inside, the Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a four-passenger sedan, and it delivers them in a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options unlike any offered before on a Chevrolet sedan. Modern controls and attractive materials, two informational displays, and a touch-sensitive infotainment center with integrated shifter distinguish the Volt's interior from other vehicles in the market.

Some of Volt's interior technological features include:

• Driver-configurable, liquid crystal instrument display
• Standard seven-inch touch screen vehicle information display
• Touch screen-style climate and infotainment controls
• Optional navigation system with onboard hard drive for maps and music storage
• Standard Bluetooth for cellular phone and USB/Bluetooth for music streaming

New era in automotive transportation
The Chevrolet Volt is leading a new era of electrification of the automobile by creating a new class of vehicle known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV.

The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional miles, until the vehicle's battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Volt eliminates "range anxiety," giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

The Chevrolet Volt can be plugged either into a standard household 120v outlet or use 240v for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours on a 240v outlet or about eight hours on a 120v outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted. At a cost of about 80 cents per day (10 cents per kWh) for a full charge that will deliver up to 40 miles of electric driving, GM estimates that the Volt will be less expensive to recharge than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee. Charging the Volt about once daily will consume less electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and freezer units.

Charge out of driving
The Chevrolet Volt offers spirited driving performance in a remarkably quiet interior. More than 220 lithium-ion cells contained within the Volt's battery pack provide ample power. The Volt's electric drive unit delivers the equivalent of 150 horsepower, 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, and a top speed of 100 miles per hour. The lack of engine noise, combined with special sound-deadening materials, make the Chevrolet Volt an extremely quiet vehicle to drive.

GM estimates that the Volt will cost about two cents per mile to drive while under battery power compared to 12 cents per mile using gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon. For an average driver who drives 40 miles per day (or 15,000 miles per year), this amounts to a cost savings of $1,500 annually. Using peak electric rates, GM estimates that an electrically driven mile in a Chevy Volt will be about one-sixth of the cost of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle. The cost savings are even greater when charging during off-peak hours, when electric rates are cheaper.

The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced.

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS: 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT

General

Vehicle type:	5-door, front-wheel-drive sedan
Category:	Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV)
E-REV competitors:	none
Chassis:	independent McPherson struts front, compound crank twist axle rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximize energy capture, electric power-assist steering
Seating capacity:	four
Manufacturing location:	Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly (subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives)

Performance

Top speed (mph):	100
EV range, city (miles):	40 (based on EPA city cycle)

Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm):	105.7 / 2685
Length (in / mm):	177 / 4404
Width (in / mm):	70.8 / 1798
Height (in / mm):	56.3 / 1430
Cargo volume (cu ft / L):	10.6 / 301

Battery system

Type:	lithium-ion
Energy (kWh)	16

Electric drive unit

Power (kW / hp):	111 / 150
Torque (lb-ft / Nm):	273 / 370

Exterior

Tire and wheel size:

specially developed low rolling-resistance tires on 17-inch forged aluminum wheels