GM Plans on Selling 70,000 Volts in Two Years at $40,000

In an e-mail sent to the Free Press on Thursday, GM’s Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told the website that the automaker is planning to manufacture 10,000 examples of its plug-in electric Chevrolet Volt in 2011, the hybrid’s first full year of production, and another 60,000 units the following year. Lutz also told Freep that the Volt will go on sale by November 2010 at a price around $40,000, though understandably, since we're talking about it two years ahead of its introduction, the price could go up or even down by then.

Chevy Volt Eco Ad: Don’t Bath, Let Your Dog Lick You…

Even though GM's eco-friendly ad for the Chevy Volt is supposed to be funny, we must say that we found its humor too "grotesque" for our taste. The TV ad shows a dog licking someone’s foot with the following text rolling on the screen: “If you care about the environment, you could save water and let your dog give you a bath. Chevy cares about the environment. That's why we're working on an extended range electric car expected to go up to 40 miles without a drop of gas. The Chevy Volt concept”. -Video after the jump

Chevy Volt Eco Ad: Don’t Bath, Let Your Dog Lick You…

Even though GM's eco-friendly ad for the Chevy Volt is supposed to be funny, we must say that we found its humor too "grotesque" for our taste. The TV ad shows a dog licking someone’s foot with the following text rolling on the screen: “If you care about the environment, you could save water and let your dog give you a bath. Chevy cares about the environment. That's why we're working on an extended range electric car expected to go up to 40 miles without a drop of gas. The Chevy Volt concept”. -Video after the jump

Chevy Volt Eco Ad: Don’t Bath, Let Your Dog Lick You…

Even though GM's eco-friendly ad for the Chevy Volt is supposed to be funny, we must say that we found its humor too "grotesque" for our taste. The TV ad shows a dog licking someone’s foot with the following text rolling on the screen: “If you care about the environment, you could save water and let your dog give you a bath. Chevy cares about the environment. That's why we're working on an extended range electric car expected to go up to 40 miles without a drop of gas. The Chevy Volt concept”. -Video after the jump

Chevy Volt Eco Ad: Don’t Bath, Let Your Dog Lick You…

Even though GM's eco-friendly ad for the Chevy Volt is supposed to be funny, we must say that we found its humor too "grotesque" for our taste. The TV ad shows a dog licking someone’s foot with the following text rolling on the screen: “If you care about the environment, you could save water and let your dog give you a bath. Chevy cares about the environment. That's why we're working on an extended range electric car expected to go up to 40 miles without a drop of gas. The Chevy Volt concept”. -Video after the jump

Chevrolet Volt EV Concept: Limited Edition Scale Model

While the production version of the Volt EV Concept (see here) will need another two years before it hits the roads, you can start dreaming of Chevy’s eco-friendly hybrid vehicle by acquiring a 1:32 scale die-cast model of the Concept. Apart from the fact that it will cost you significantly less – a mere $13.95, you can brag about being one of only 7,500 people that will obtain the first official replica of the Volt, made by BBurago. Note however that you can only order it online from Chevy’s official site as the die-cast model will not be available at retail locations.

Via: Autoblog Green , Source: Chevrolet

Chevrolet Volt EV Concept: Limited Edition Scale Model

While the production version of the Volt EV Concept (see here) will need another two years before it hits the roads, you can start dreaming of Chevy’s eco-friendly hybrid vehicle by acquiring a 1:32 scale die-cast model of the Concept. Apart from the fact that it will cost you significantly less – a mere $13.95, you can brag about being one of only 7,500 people that will obtain the first official replica of the Volt, made by BBurago. Note however that you can only order it online from Chevy’s official site as the die-cast model will not be available at retail locations.

Via: Autoblog Green , Source: Chevrolet

Chevy Volt: GM Releases Near Production Sketch

General Motors is moving ahead with the development of the Chevrolet Volt that’s scheduled to enter production in 2010 (see here). In order to maximize the electric range, GM is focusing on improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The image above that was released by GM illustrates one of the latest design themes undergoing a wind tunnel test at the American carmaker’s Aero Lab in Warren, Michigan. Compared to the prototype, the fascia seems a bit more down to earth, and to be honest, a bit more of what one would expect from Chevy. -Press release after the jump

Press Release

Chevrolet Volt Development Moves Forward With Focus On Aerodynamics

Warren, MI –The massive fan in GM’s aero lab wind tunnel has been cranked up to full blast as GM’s designers and engineers work to optimize the aerodynamics of the Chevrolet Volt as part of the quest to make the breakthrough concept car a production reality. Aerodynamic improvement is a critical step in meeting the range targets necessary for moving the vehicle to a final production decision.

The design team, now with its own studio dedicated to the development of vehicles powered by the E-flex propulsion system, has been working with engineering, aerodynamicists and other scientists to develop an energy efficient Chevrolet Volt by optimizing aerodynamics.

“One of the ways design can contribute to the efficiency of any vehicle is through the aerodynamics of the body shape,” says Ed Welburn, VP, GM Global Design. “The collaboration between a designer and an aerodynamicist can not only contribute to improved fuel economy or extended range, but can produce beautiful and different body shapes.”

Frank Weber, Global Vehicle Line Executive and Global Vehicle Chief Engineer for the E-Flex System, agrees. “The electric range of the Chevrolet Volt is most sensitive to improvements in aero, which is in contrast to a traditional vehicle program in which mass typically plays a larger role.”

Reducing drag

Aerodynamic drag accounts for approximately 20 percent of the energy consumed in an average vehicle, directly impacting vehicle fuel efficiency. GM designers apply their expertise to address the opportunity to improve the fuel economy of all GM vehicles. In fact, GM offers more fuel efficient vehicles than any other manufacturer, in part due to vehicle design and GM’s aerodynamic development capabilities.

GM’s aerodynamics laboratory, located at the technical center in Warren, Mich., is the center of expertise for optimizing the impact of airflow. In addition to fuel economy, range, emissions, and acceleration are all affected by wind resistance, or aerodynamic drag. The cooling of components such as radiators and brakes are affected by airflow, as is cornering capability, crosswind response, directional stability and on-center handling. GM’s aero lab allows for the testing and development of each of these characteristics.

Aerodynamics development begins with a 1/3-scale model where basic shape and major features are defined. The model includes a highly detailed underbody and engine compartment. Radiator and under hood cooling flow is developed with computational fluid dynamic models. Simultaneously, computation development takes place to determine aerodynamic drag of design alternatives. Development continues with full-scale models, where shape is refined and optimized for low wind noise. The development process concludes with a vehicle prototype validation of the math-based analysis and physical testing.

“I'm proud to say that after extensive aero development of the Volt, and more to come, we have achieved a vehicle that had a coefficient of drag that is more 30% lower in drag than the original concept,” said Welburn. “It’s not easy, but it is a necessity.”

Chevy Volt: GM Releases Near Production Sketch

General Motors is moving ahead with the development of the Chevrolet Volt that’s scheduled to enter production in 2010 (see here). In order to maximize the electric range, GM is focusing on improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The image above that was released by GM illustrates one of the latest design themes undergoing a wind tunnel test at the American carmaker’s Aero Lab in Warren, Michigan. Compared to the prototype, the fascia seems a bit more down to earth, and to be honest, a bit more of what one would expect from Chevy. -Press release after the jump

Press Release

Chevrolet Volt Development Moves Forward With Focus On Aerodynamics

Warren, MI –The massive fan in GM’s aero lab wind tunnel has been cranked up to full blast as GM’s designers and engineers work to optimize the aerodynamics of the Chevrolet Volt as part of the quest to make the breakthrough concept car a production reality. Aerodynamic improvement is a critical step in meeting the range targets necessary for moving the vehicle to a final production decision.

The design team, now with its own studio dedicated to the development of vehicles powered by the E-flex propulsion system, has been working with engineering, aerodynamicists and other scientists to develop an energy efficient Chevrolet Volt by optimizing aerodynamics.

“One of the ways design can contribute to the efficiency of any vehicle is through the aerodynamics of the body shape,” says Ed Welburn, VP, GM Global Design. “The collaboration between a designer and an aerodynamicist can not only contribute to improved fuel economy or extended range, but can produce beautiful and different body shapes.”

Frank Weber, Global Vehicle Line Executive and Global Vehicle Chief Engineer for the E-Flex System, agrees. “The electric range of the Chevrolet Volt is most sensitive to improvements in aero, which is in contrast to a traditional vehicle program in which mass typically plays a larger role.”

Reducing drag

Aerodynamic drag accounts for approximately 20 percent of the energy consumed in an average vehicle, directly impacting vehicle fuel efficiency. GM designers apply their expertise to address the opportunity to improve the fuel economy of all GM vehicles. In fact, GM offers more fuel efficient vehicles than any other manufacturer, in part due to vehicle design and GM’s aerodynamic development capabilities.

GM’s aerodynamics laboratory, located at the technical center in Warren, Mich., is the center of expertise for optimizing the impact of airflow. In addition to fuel economy, range, emissions, and acceleration are all affected by wind resistance, or aerodynamic drag. The cooling of components such as radiators and brakes are affected by airflow, as is cornering capability, crosswind response, directional stability and on-center handling. GM’s aero lab allows for the testing and development of each of these characteristics.

Aerodynamics development begins with a 1/3-scale model where basic shape and major features are defined. The model includes a highly detailed underbody and engine compartment. Radiator and under hood cooling flow is developed with computational fluid dynamic models. Simultaneously, computation development takes place to determine aerodynamic drag of design alternatives. Development continues with full-scale models, where shape is refined and optimized for low wind noise. The development process concludes with a vehicle prototype validation of the math-based analysis and physical testing.

“I'm proud to say that after extensive aero development of the Volt, and more to come, we have achieved a vehicle that had a coefficient of drag that is more 30% lower in drag than the original concept,” said Welburn. “It’s not easy, but it is a necessity.”