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Making its European debut at 2008 Paris Motor Show, the much-anticipated
production version of the Chevrolet Volt delivers up to 60 kilometers of
gasoline and emissions-free electric driving, with the extended-range
capability of hundreds of additional kilometers.
"The Chevrolet Volt is symbolic of GM's strong commitment to the
future," says Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. "It features 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 have created an aerodynamically efficient design for the
production vehicle. Many of the design cues from the concept vehicle
endure in the production Chevrolet Volt, including the closed front
grille, athletic stance, rear design graphics, outside rearview mirrors
and more. The Chevrolet Volt's rounded and flush front fascia, tapered
corners and grille are functional, enabling air to move easily around
the car. At 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 rear screen help reduce turbulence and drag.
Working closely with GM aerodynamicists to shape the Chevrolet Volt,
design and engineering teams have developed one of the most aerodynamic
vehicles in GM's history. They spent hundreds of hours with the
Chevrolet Volt in GM's wind tunnel, testing and re-testing parts such as
the front and rear quarter panels, rear spoiler, side sills and side
mirrors. Aerodynamic improvements enabled GM to reach the Volt's target
of driving up to 60 km (MVEG cycle) without using gasoline or producing
emissions.
Inside, the Chevrolet 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 on the market.
Some of Chevrolet 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 heralds a new era in the 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 60 km, the Chevrolet 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 kilometers, 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 into a standard household 230v outlet
for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the
Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours. Charge times are
reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted. GM estimates that it
will cost less than one euro at night for a full charge that will
deliver up to 60 km of electric driving.
Charged up for performance
On the road, 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 hp/110 kW, 370 Nm of instant
torque, and a top speed of 161 km/h. The lack of engine noise, combined
with special sound-deadening materials, makes the Chevrolet Volt an
extremely quiet vehicle to drive.
GM estimates that the Chevrolet Volt will cost about two euro cents per
km to drive while under battery power, compared to 12 euro cents per km
using gasoline priced at €1.50 per liter. For an average driver who
drives 60 km per day (or 22,000 km per year), this amounts to cost
savings of €2,200 annually. Using night-time electricity rates, GM
estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in a Volt will be about
one-sixth of the cost of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.
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.
Chevrolet Volt: What is an E-REV?
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger
Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its
primary power source and gasoline as its secondary power source to
propel the vehicle.
An E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt represents a significant departure from
conventional hybrids. In a E-REV, the wheels are turned by an electric
drive unit, whereas in conventional hybrids the wheels are turned by an
electric motor, a gasoline engine, or both. For short trips, E-REVs will
run on battery power alone.
For longer trips, additional electricity can be supplied by an internal
combustion engine or a fuel cell. The battery and propulsion systems are
sized so that when sufficient energy is available from the battery, the
engine (or fuel cell) is not required for operation. During this
electric only phase of driving, the battery, motor, and power
electronics are designed to deliver full performance, acceleration, top
speed, hill climbing on electric power alone.
How Chevrolet Volt works
Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped lithium-ion battery
pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which is capable
of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving
the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers (based on MVEG city cycle)
without using a drop of gas. For longer trips, the Chevrolet Volt's
on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator
when the battery's energy has been depleted. The range extender, which
can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate additional
electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.
Chevrolet Volt: Fast Facts
= The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger
Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its
primary energy source and gasoline as its secondary energy source to
propel the vehicle. Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped
lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive
unit, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration
performance while driving the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers
(based on MVEG city cycle) without a drop of gas. For longer trips, the
Volt's on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric
generator when the battery's energy has been depleted. The range
extender, which can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate
additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.
= The Chevy Volt will use no gasoline and produce no emissions for up to
60 kilometers of daily driving, helping to save approximately 1,900
liters of gasoline a year (compared to a similar sized vehicle that
averages 7.8 l/100 km).
= GM estimates that drivers who travel 100 kilometers a day (more than
33,500 kilometers miles per year) could save about 2,100 liters of
gasoline annually (compared to a similar size vehicle that averages 7.8
l/100 km).
= The Chevrolet Volt operates differently from all other propulsion
systems. An electric drive unit (electric motor) drives the wheels at
all times and at all speeds. The Volt's range-extending engine serves
only to create electricity to power the vehicle beyond 60 kilometers.
= Depending on the drive cycle, an E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt will
eliminate most initial engine starts and substantially reduce associated
vehicle emissions.
= Thanks to instantaneous torque, the Chevy Volt will be a fun-to-drive
car with quick acceleration.
= At current prices per kilowatt hour, GM estimates that an electrically
driven kilometer in a Chevrolet Volt will cost about one-sixth compared
to a conventional gasoline vehicle. It is estimated that it will cost
about 0.02 euro per kilometer to drive electrically vs. 0.12 euro using
gasoline at current prices.
= Most Chevy Volts are likely to be charged off-peak in the evening or
overnight when consumption is lower, potentially further reducing the
cost of recharging.
= Charging the Chevrolet Volt about once daily will consume less
electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and
freezer units.
= At a cost of about 1 euro a day for a full charge that will deliver up
to 60 kilometers of electric driving, for most owners the Volt will be
less expensive to recharge than purchasing a daily cup of your favorite
branded coffee.
= The beautiful aerodynamic design of the Chevrolet Volt production car
helps to improve both fuel economy and driving performance.
= GM's Board of Directors approved the production of the Chevrolet Volt.
The targeted launch date is late 2010 as a 2011 model.
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