The Genset is 53KW peak or about 70HP, less than half of what the motor is spec’ed to do under battery power.

Essentially when the battery is flat you have a 3000lb economy car with a 70HP engine. Fun times. Poor acceleration and a poor grade climbing.

This is getting a little silly, isn’t it?

Go to google and enter (with quotes):

“specifications can change without notice”

I get 30 kilohits. Products from computers, to food, to mass spectrometers, to medical information systems. Are these companies not confident their products will deliver as advertised, essentially pulling a fast one on their current and potential customers?

Or is this just standard disclaimer boilerplate?

That’s what I thought. According to the CBS site, it was Bob Bonifice, the Volt design director. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/17/earlyshow/main4454824.shtml

He says that “people will be able to get one in 2010, but they won’t be at dealer showrooms until November 2011″. So I guess in 2010 you can get one if you make out a certified check for $200000 to Rick Wagoner or something. Otherwise you have to wait.

They say 40 miles on batteries, and 300-400 miles on the gas engine. My 2001 Accent could go 320 miles on a tank, and it only cost me $12000 with all the options.

It says “Performance capabilities subject to change without notice.” That tells me that GM is not confident they are going to deliver what they are promising in the ad. Simple as that.

Yes, I suppose I could also have an optimistic interpretation of the fine print and assume it means that GM thinks that they will will exceed 40 miles. But I don’t think so.

No Differential

Gasoline engine tuned to run at a specific speed to provide maximum current to support maximum torque 275lbs. Gets over terror of no battery charge. Gasoline engines tuned to run at specific RPM gives engineers best advantage to save fuel.

How much does the battery replacement cost? Have you bought shares in Lithium mining company in Nevada?

Okay, now about towing… I kid, I kid…

I think the problem comes around when you deplete the batteries, and the petrol engine is not able to produce enough electrity to get you 275 lb-ft of torque (which is also probably only available at 0 rpm).

Secondly, about the whole uphill issue, the press release says that the Volt has 275 lb-ft of torque or some ungodly number. Now, how will the transition from electric motor to range extender petrol engine to assist the electric motor help or hurt that number? I’m scratching my head over this…

I bet they’ll test in a downhill stretch near Leadville, CO, elevation 10,152 where the air density is much lower than it is in Denver.

People saying it will only be on level ground, with a certain wind, and a certain weight, etc. That if you drive like a normal person you won’t get 40miles on your charge

DUH.

Just like you only attain EPA estimated fuel economy when you drive the way they test. And if you put your foot into it you get way less.

Whats the difference?

Yes Penelope, Toyotas too!

With a car like this they would have to be brainless to not offer a charge sustaining mode so you can maintain battery juice if you choose and if you know you are heading to the hills you will need to.

To Jolo. Prius doesn’t really have a transmission. Just some orbital gears and two electric motors. The Volt should have no transmission at all except some reduction gears and a differential.

Now we are trusting these folks to build a new type of powertrain.

Even if the Volt gets 40 miles on the batteries, and even if it sells beyond GM’s wildest dreams, I would be concerned about the huge costs that GM will have to absorb when the vehicle starts to fall apart in a few years and the inevitable class action lawsuit opens.

The rest is gravy.

http://jalopnik.com/390705/2011-chevy-volt-battery-hits-40+mile-range-target-while-wearing-skin-of-dead-malibu

I wonder how the Volt is going to perform on a long mountain grade such as we routinely deal with in the Western US?

http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/02/the-pikes-peak-question-chevy-volt-and-the-infinite-hill/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26737673/page/2/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26737673/page/2/

I’d have to assume that one of the prototype mules will be working that out. It has to be on the mind of someone at GM…

I now reside about 500′ up (vertical) from Denver, so I’m in the running. BUUUUTTTT….shouldn’t there be a disclaimer about needing to drive it for 2.3 million miles before making up the price premium over a Toyhondissazdazukundaikia?