By RICHARD WILLIAMSON
Scripps Howard News ServiceAs General Motors fights for its own survival, the electric car that is expected to demonstrate its technical prowess is taking shape in Michigan with a boost from cities receptive to non-polluting transportation.
With its arrival expected in November, the Volt will begin appearing in prototypes this summer.
GM plans to assemble the car at the Hamtramck, Mich., plant, with engine work also assigned to the hard-hit city of Flint, famed for its role in the Michael Moore film "Roger and Me" in what now look like the good old days. GM will also establish a lithium-ion battery plant for the Volt in Michigan, a first for any automaker.
"The design, development and production of advanced batteries must be a core competency for GM, and we've been rapidly building our capability and resources to support this direction," GM Chairman Rick Wagoner said as the company was seeking government bailouts. "This is a further demonstration of our commitment to the electrification of the automobile and to the Chevrolet Volt -- a commitment that now totals more than $1 billion."
Until the GM plant is operational, the Volt's lithium-ion battery cells will come from Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem based in Troy, Mich.
Despite its claim to all-electric power, the Volt will include a gasoline-fueled, 4-cylinder engine that will serve as a generator. That engine will be built in Flint as part of a $250 million investment in a new family of flexible power plants.
Otherwise, the Volt can travel 40 miles on a single charge of the batteries by plugging in to a conventional wall socket.
To keep the Volt running on electric current alone, GM is working with government officials in cities and states to provide charging stations. Volt will also need access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes and possibly some building code adjustments.
"We are acting now to make sure the charging infrastructure will be available to support these vehicles as soon as they are ready for sale, and we are working with other cities in the region to make the Bay Area a thriving market for electric transportation," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
While the Volt is expected to restore GM's image as an innovator, it may not do much for the company economically. While prices have not been announced, the sticker is expect to hit about $40,000, a tough sell in a deep recession. Sales of the competing Toyota Prius have fallen as dramatically as the price of gasoline, not to mention the Dow. A $7,500 federal tax credit is designed to ease the pain of purchase.
But Volt will serve as an attractive show car for a new American economy that President Obama is promoting as the nation's salvation.
The vehicle's intelligent charging technology allows the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours on a 240-volt outlet or about eight hours on a 120-volt outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted.
At a cost of about 80 cents per day for a full charge that will deliver up to 40 miles of electric driving, GM estimates that recharging will cost less than a cup of coffee and will use less electricity annually than a refrigerator.
The urban pioneers who buy Volt will drive what GM promises will be a safe, comfortable, four-passenger sedan with a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options surpassing previous offerings.
The car will feature two informational displays, a touch-sensitive infotainment center and Bluetooth connections to cellular phones and music streaming.
Volt's electric power is the equivalent of 150 horsepower, with 273 foot-pounds of instant torque, and a top speed of 100 miles per hour. Drivers are likely to experience some thrilling performance. With no engine noise, the Volt, will be a nearly silent car.
Volt will roll on Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires that will allow about one more mile of travel than existing tires would.
A new Bose Energy Efficient sound system is also 30 percent smaller, 40 percent lighter and uses 50 percent less energy than conventional Bose sound systems. GM says the additional efficiency is like removing 50 pounds from the car.
"Everything we do with the Volt is about maximizing its mechanical, electrical and thermal efficiency," says Frank Weber, vehicle line executive for Volt. "From the Voltec propulsion system down to individual components such as tires or sound systems, we have been analyzing every part of the Volt so that we can offer a vehicle that is as efficient as possible to maximize the electric range."
E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend@sbcglobal.net
Details on the Chevrolet VoltTYPE: Front-drive, five-door, four-passenger extended-range electric vehicle.
WHERE BUILT: Hamtramck, Mich.
PRICE: TBA, estimated around $40,000.
KEY RIVALS: Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid.
POWER: Lithium-ion battery; 150-horsepower electric motor; 4-cylinder gasoline engine generator.
FUEL ECONOMY: 40 miles on electric power.
TOP SPEED: 100 mph.
CHASSIS: independent McPherson struts front, compound crank twist axle rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximize energy capture, electric power-assist steering.
WHEELBASE: 105.7 inches.
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 177 x 70.8 x 56.3 inches.
STANDARD: Driver-configurable, liquid crystal instrument display; 7-inch touch screen vehicle information display; touch screen-style climate and infotainment controls, power accessories, Bluetooth for cellular phone and USB/Bluetooth for music streaming.
OPTIONS: Navigation system with onboard hard drive for maps and music storage.
Richard Williamson writes about automobiles for Scripps Howard News Service.
