An enormous amount of time and effort was invested in the cars' aerodynamics. As you can see by looking at the pictures, the Volt is certainly a sleek car, slipperier in fact than the Prius and Insight. Over the 500 hours that the car spent in the wind tunnel, it was discovered that the addition of a 5mm integrated spoiler-lip on the rear deck could improve range by a half-mile (800 metres) as it reduces drag.
It is difficult to make any constructive comment on the cabin, but suffice it to say that it will blend modern with conventional with a pair of screens, a single trim plate for a controls (like some cell phones) with cup holders and smart storage spaces. The mockup had seating for four adults and a fairly sizeable trunk which should find its way in the production car.
The dilemma
In actuality, it's not much of a dilemma or even an issue, for that matter. Having recently attended the unveiling of the Nissan LEAF at Dodger's Stadium in L.A., it is clear that different schools of thought are at work. Where Nissan is working hard on the pure EV car, GM is pushing the heavy-hybrid (EV + ICE assist as opposed to a mild-hybrid). The key difference with the Volt is that should your commute be less than 64 km in a day, it would be possible to fill ones tank only once a month.
You see, as long as you remain within the range and plug-in the car overnight, no fuel consumption will take place. Should you decide to go on a road trip, the tank will take you further. In the case of the LEAF, the fact that it is a pure EV dramatically limits its range; it will however, never require any fuel, moreover, as it has fewer parts and may require less maintenance over its life.
What to do then? Which idea is best? My guess is that an extended range electric vehicle or in Matt-speak "heavy-hybrid" makes more real-World sense for the average driver; it's less of a psychological challenge. The EV though, is the next step without a doubt.
Then and now
Many will recall the Saturn EV1 and its sad and untimely demise. This car's impact may have had a far greater reach than expected, at least for General Motors. The documentary film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" depicted what some say was a car manufacturer at grips with a fundamental change in course that it or the government was not willing to take at the time.
Today, mere weeks away from 2010, General Motors is ready, willing and able to produce these cars, sell and maintain them... with a smile. All that remains now are cold-weather tests in northern-Canada and a price. Both will make a huge difference, at least here in Canada.
photo:Mathieu St-Pierre, Philippe Champoux
It is difficult to make any constructive comment on the cabin, but suffice it to say that it will blend modern with conventional with a pair of screens, a single trim plate for a controls (like some cell phones) with cup holders and smart storage spaces. The mockup had seating for four adults and a fairly sizeable trunk which should find its way in the production car.
The dilemma
In actuality, it's not much of a dilemma or even an issue, for that matter. Having recently attended the unveiling of the Nissan LEAF at Dodger's Stadium in L.A., it is clear that different schools of thought are at work. Where Nissan is working hard on the pure EV car, GM is pushing the heavy-hybrid (EV + ICE assist as opposed to a mild-hybrid). The key difference with the Volt is that should your commute be less than 64 km in a day, it would be possible to fill ones tank only once a month.
 |
You see, as long as you remain within the range and plug-in the car overnight, no fuel consumption will take place. Should you decide to go on a road trip, the tank will take you further. In the case of the LEAF, the fact that it is a pure EV dramatically limits its range; it will however, never require any fuel, moreover, as it has fewer parts and may require less maintenance over its life.
What to do then? Which idea is best? My guess is that an extended range electric vehicle or in Matt-speak "heavy-hybrid" makes more real-World sense for the average driver; it's less of a psychological challenge. The EV though, is the next step without a doubt.
Then and now
Many will recall the Saturn EV1 and its sad and untimely demise. This car's impact may have had a far greater reach than expected, at least for General Motors. The documentary film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" depicted what some say was a car manufacturer at grips with a fundamental change in course that it or the government was not willing to take at the time.
Today, mere weeks away from 2010, General Motors is ready, willing and able to produce these cars, sell and maintain them... with a smile. All that remains now are cold-weather tests in northern-Canada and a price. Both will make a huge difference, at least here in Canada.
|
photo:Mathieu St-Pierre, Philippe Champoux
Article Gallery