brillo

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/01...s-the-chevy-v/


Now this is cool. I really like that the idea of series hybird cars are moving into reality.
The engine becomes sort of a generator rather than sending power to the wheels, which is more efficient b/c you can optimise it to run at a certain rpm for efficiency.

The interesting thing is, GM assigned people to the project that really hints at production.

We will likely remember this introduction as the day cars began moving to series vehicles. With Smart, Mitsu, GM and Toyota all bringing real products to the market.

Clavius

They just need to design the car that apeals to alot of people. The Toyota Pruis or howeva ya spell it to me looks ugly as sin. That and some of the Hybrids to me have been kinda a joke. Though the Lexus one which aparently puts out more Hp is very interesting just sucks that it cost so damn much. Which is another problem to, dont overprice the damn thing!

snizzle

This car is cool!!!! I'd buy this or something similiar to it as a commuter car.

Yeah, if you're paying so much more for a hybrid then you aren't really saving money anyway.

Spin9k

Read the batteries for this type of hybrid do not really exist yet so likely may many moons, if ever, from reality.... just a engineering study really.

snizzle

A LiIon battery???

dtorre

this toyota fuel efficient concept looks better

Spin9k

From Autoblog Green: "That vehicle is now real, in the form of the Chevrolet Volt. ... The only thing that isn't quite real at this point is the timing. The hold-up is that darned battery. At this point no car-maker in the world has yet publicly committed to building a car powered by Li-ion batteries in any significant quantities (Tesla has announced plans, but until they actual start delivering soem production roadsters, I'll withhold judgement). Regardless of the claims of battery makers, the technology to build an affordable battery that will last 100,000 miles, with minimal degradation of performance has yet to be demonstrated. "

Think Sony Laptop...

snizzle

Ah, interesting. I just read over that whole article. I'm sure they could figure it out. I think this car is more than a science project.

Gambit

I think the volt is damn cool looking, and would seriously consider buying one as a DD.

Does anyone know what the cost of LiIon batteries would be, since it seems like they would need to be replaced every once in a while

rotary-convert

Not sure about the cost. Expensive no doubt. L-Ion batterys can be more prone to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. In essence it's when the battery becomes overheated and goes beyond the point of no return and explodes. Thats the extent of my knowledge but I know it could be a serious issue. As a pilot we use night vison googles often and our squadron knows better than to use the government issued L-Ion battery packs. Which have caused problems in the past. Solution, we stick to the trusty AA's.

I like the looks a lot, IMO it's much nicer than the 'door wedge' styling of the Toyota.