My Perfect Automobile » Chevrolet

Chevy Volt for $10K Less?

Larry Bell — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:36:53 +0000

Chevy Volt

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has hinted that the next generation Chevy Volt might be priced as much as $10,000 less than the current base sticker of $39,995. During a recent industry event, Akerson also noted that the future version of Volt would likely be lighter and more profitable. A $10K price cut would put the Chevy Volt smack in the middle of competitors’ EV price profile. Ford, Toyota and Nissan already offer electric vehicles that straddle the $30,000 price point.

Chevy Volt: Video

For someone who was not originally a fan of the Chevy Volt, the narrator of the above video clip certainly changed his mind. Now, during an extended review ride, he discusses some of the car’s interesting nuances of performance in cold and warm weather. Driving around the streets of Wisconsin, the driver switches between gas and electric drive several times, demonstrates the basics about home charging, and explains the wonders of what he calls “stealth,” or silent, driving. The bottom line from his demo drive is that the Volt is comfortable, fun to drive, handles very well, and gets incredible mileage.

Chevy Volt Price

Industry sources early this year reported that GM is thinking about reducing Volt’s engine size from four to three cylinders, and reducing the current 1.4-liter displacement to either 1.0- or 1.2- liters in an effort to improve fuel efficiency and trim the car’s weight. Apparently, the company is considering the smaller engine for the Cadillac ELR and the Chevy Volt, both of which use the Voltec drivetrain. As is typical in such situations, GM has neither confirmed nor denied specifics about the engine in its next generation Volt, but CEO Akerson’s more recent allusion to a lower price tag for the future Volt would make sense if the company were to cut engine size for the ELR and Volt.

For more about the Chevy Volt, and all the other vehicles made by Chevrolet, see the U.S. carmaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.chevy.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Chevy Cruze Diesel’s Shocking Mileage Experiment

Larry Bell — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:06:31 +0000

Chevy Cruze Diesel

A GM engineer who drove 5 mph below the speed limit on a road trip was able to travel 900 miles on one tank of fuel in the Chevy Cruze Diesel passenger car. Officially, the Cruze, which posts a 46 mpg highway rating, can routinely squeeze 715 miles from a tank of diesel fuel. The car is also able to operate on B20 biodiesel, though standard diesel propellant notches slightly better mileage.

Chevy Cruze Diesel: Video

The video clip above authenticates the facts of the 900-mile trip taken by one of GM’s engineers. The short film answers the questions most viewers have when they hear that someone drove that far on one tank of fuel in a non-hybrid, non-electric car. As the driver/engineer herself explains, the Chevy Cruze Turbo Diesel already offers the best fuel efficiency of any non-hybrid on the market, but the 900-miles she squeezed out of one tank required careful driving. Rather than hyper-mile all the way, she chose to drive the Michigan to Arkansas route at approximately 5 mph below the speed limit. That’s it! Heading back to Michigan, she drove with the flow of traffic, as usual, and was still able to achieve a respectable 800 miles per tank.

Chevy Cruze Diesel

Chevy can’t promise that every driver will do what their engineer did, milking 900 miles out of a single tank of diesel fuel, but the low rolling resistance tires, air dam spoiler, tire deflectors, diesel emissions fluid tank, auxiliary heater and rear-view camera come standard on the car. This recent feat by GM’s engineer is not the first time a driver has gotten well over the stated EPA fuel efficiency rating. In the last several years, various GM cars have been in the news for posting much better mileage stats than official EPA numbers would indicate.

For more about the highest mpg, non-hybrid car in the market, see Chevy’s specific web page for the Cruze Diesel:
http://www.chevrolet.com/cruze-diesel-reveal.html

Larry Bell

EV Car Sales: Second-Generation Volt by 2016

Larry Bell — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:36:19 +0000

EV Car Sales (Pictured: Chevy Volt)

Amid a flurry of plug-in car sales announcements late last week, GM CEO Dan Akerson said Chevrolet Volt would unveil a second-generation model not later than 2016. The Chevy Volt, Nissan’s all-electric Leaf, and the Tesla Model S electric sedan all jockeyed for top sales spot in April. While Volt’s sales were down compared to April 2012, the model did manage a 3 percent increase for the first four months of 2013, compared to the same period last year. April marked the second month in a row that Volt was slightly outsold by the Nissan Leaf, as Tesla Motors appears to have beaten both those cars in the monthly sales derby.

EV Car Sales: Video

The video clip above contains the sort of footage that electric car enthusiasts live for, a Formula-E burnout on the streets of L.A. It is all quite legal of course, as the demo was under the auspices of city officials there to promote alternative fuels. Notice the odd lack of noise compared to combustion car burnouts, where decibel levels are almost deafening. Some hardcore-racing fans claim a race is not a race without noise. Formula-E followers, on the other hand, love the hum and rev of the smooth-running electric motor. The good news is, you still get the burnout.

EV Car Sales

Tesla Motors does not reveal monthly sales data, but analysts estimate that the luxury electric sedan topped the much less expensive Volt and Leaf in April sales. As gasoline prices have leveled off, one company official at Chevrolet noted that competition between GM’s Chevy Volt, Nissan’s Leaf and Tesla’s Model S will become more competitive. Volt ruled the roost for a number of months, but now that Nissan has gone into full domestic production with its Leaf, and cut its price by $6,000, the battle of the plug-ins is getting underway. For its part, Tesla Motors expects to sell 20,000 Model S cars by the end of 2013.

For more about the carmakers mentioned above, see their official websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla Vs. Volt Vs. Leaf: The Winner is…

Larry Bell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:49:27 +0000

Tesla Model S, interior

The statistics read like a football game update. At the end of the first quarter, in a three-way contest, Tesla Motors has pulled ahead of its two rivals, Chevy and Nissan, by a score of 4,750 to 4,421, to 3,695. In the automotive world, that news is no less surprising. Electric carmaker Tesla will post sales of 4,750 Model S vehicles for the first quarter of 2013, a period in which GM has sold 4,421 Chevy Volts and Nissan Motor Co. of Japan has posted sales of 3,695 for its all-electric Leaf automobile. What makes the data even more unusual is the fact that the cars feature wildly differing base prices. The Leaf costs $28,000, while Tesla’s luxury electric sedan goes for $69,000 and Chevy’s hybrid-electric Volt carries a sticker of $39,000.

Tesla, Volt, Leaf: Video

Hybrid and electric car enthusiasts have no doubt seen dozens of videos featuring the Chevy Volt. Chances are this has not been one of them. It is, however, proof that the car has become so popular even dogs are choosing it as their favorite. Kidding aside, the fellow in the clip, and his clever pets, are the owners of a shiny new Volt. This is simply a record of their first-ever ride in the car, along with a few still shots of the canines enjoying some all-electric errand running courtesy of their private chauffeur.

Tesla Sales

Some analysts consider the newly released sales data relatively unimportant, given that Tesla, Chevrolet and Nissan sell to such diverse demographics. The Leaf is trying to carve out a niche for itself as an affordable, budget-minded EV. Tesla’s much higher price tag is not a magnet for those buyers, while the Volt sits squarely between the two extremes. Chevy’s groundbreaking Volt is well within reach of many car buyers after federal and state tax credits.

For more about Tesla Motors, Chevrolet, and Nissan Motor Co., see their official corporate websites:
http://www.teslamotors.com
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com

Larry Bell

Chevy Spark EV ‘Most Efficient’ Car, Says EPA

Larry Bell — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:41:22 +0000

Chevy Spark EV

Chevrolet representatives have announced that the company’s new Spark EV is the most fuel-efficient auto in the marketplace, with a 119 mpg-equivalent rating from the EPA and an 82-miles-per-charge electric range. The mpg-e number is a combined city/highway rating, while the electric range distance places the Spark EV ahead of many other mass-produced electric cars currently for sale. When the Spark EV arrives in dealer showrooms this July, it will only be available in Oregon and California. Specific pricing data is said to be forthcoming in several weeks, though GM has disclosed that after the $7,500 federal tax credit, buyers will be able to purchase a Spark EV for less than $25,000.

Chevy Spark: Video

Enjoy a silent (music only) walk through the Santa Barbara Earth Day car show. The short video clip above spends the majority of its time in and around the Chevy Spark EV that was on display, along with a Tesla Model S, a stunning Tesla Roadster, and other electric cars. The Spark EV is expected to be available this summer in California and Oregon, with an intention to unleash the small, stylish vehicle in several other regions throughout 2014 as demand dictates. Looking like a replica of the gasoline-powered Spark, the two-door EV travels in excess of 80 miles per charge and has so far received very positive reviews from the few who have driven it.

Chevy Spark EV

Both the gasoline version of the Spark and the new electric model are assembled in South Korea, though Spark motors and other components are built in the U.S. Chevrolet’s other electric car, the Volt, is a range-extended model that carries a combustion engine alongside its electric motor. The Volt is able to travel 38 miles per charge on electricity alone, and has a 98 mpg-e rating from the EPA.

For more about Chevrolet cars, and the Spark EV in particular, see the company’s official websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com
www.chevrolet.com/spark-ev-electric-vehicle.html

Larry Bell

Used Cars or New Cars? Experts Give Buying Advice

Larry Bell — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:45:26 +0000

Used or New? (pictured: a new LaFerrari hybrid)

Car buyers often fret at the prospect of choosing between a new vehicle and a used one. Lately, many experts in the automotive press have been making the case for used cars, especially in a challenging economy. Because mainstream models now last much longer than in days past, and because buyers can find certified pre-owned cars at respected dealerships, used cars have been gaining in reputation and sales numbers. In fact, certified pre-owned vehicles are among the most popular choices on dealer lots in major cities. Improved reliability and longer product life mean a used car might very well have 10 or more solid years of usage in its future.

Used Cars: Video

Whether you are searching for a new or used car, the above video clip will be of great interest to hybrid fans especially. It lists ten of the best hybrids available. The venerable Chevy Volt made the cut of course, as did Honda’s attractive Insight and one of the genre’s new stars, the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Lincoln MKZ hybrid, the Lexus CT 200h, along with Toyota’s Camry hybrid, all made the list as well. In fact, Korean automaker Hyundai gets special mention as being one of the most reasonably priced of the bunch, while Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI is the lone diesel model in the elite ten. Buick’s LaCrosse eAssist wins kudos for its luxurious interior and over-35 mpg fuel efficiency. That’s nine in all. Watch the video and see what the author listed as his number-one pick of the hybrid segment. You might be surprised.

For those in the market to buy or sell a used car, the classified section of MyPerfectAutomobile has something for every automotive taste. Browse the huge selection and use the online tools to drill down to your specific favorite. The direct link for MPA’s classifieds is:
http://myperfectautomobile.com/classified/

Larry Bell

Chevy Cruze Diesel: 46 MPG Highway

Larry Bell — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:33:43 +0000

Chevy Cruze diesel

Chevrolet has announced that its Cruze diesel has been rated at 46 mpg highway. This puts the new model ahead of all non-hybrid cars in terms of fuel efficiency. In fact, the overall mpg rating is 33 when combined with the car’s city mileage of 27 mpg. One of the Cruze diesel’s chief competitors is Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI, which comes in slightly better in overall mpg at a combined rating of 34. The Jetta, however, offers a fuel-efficiency profile that some consider more balanced, with a 42 highway and 30 city rating. In any case, Chevy holds the current record for non-hybrid highway mpg.

Chevy Cruze: Video

If you missed the Chicago Auto Show, here is some footage of the Chevy Cruze diesel in action from the event. Revealed at the 2013 show, the Cruze clean turbo offers solid mpg, 148 horsepower, and a host of safety features for a sticker price that starts at just $26,000. The clip above shows a sporty, red Cruze diesel refueling and then breezing through the rainy streets of Chicago. If you are a fan of diesels and Chevys, this car has a lot to offer.

Chevy Cruze Diesel

For now, the Jetta can still call itself the only diesel offered by a major car manufacturer in the U.S., but the Cruze diesel will be in showrooms in less than a month so VW will no longer be able to make the claim. Look for Mazda to add its diesel to the lineup in several months when the Mazda6 begins selling a diesel version. While diesel fuel tends to cost more than gasoline, diesel cars are able to travel further per gallon.

For more about the Chevy Cruze, see the specific site for the car, below:
http://www.chevrolet.com/Cruze
For more about all Chevrolet vehicles, see the official corporate site:
http://www.chevrolet.com

Larry Bell

Chevy Spark EV to Offer AC and DC Charging

Larry Bell — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:40:16 +0000

Chevy Spark EV, under the hood

The Chevy Spark EV will feature both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) charging ports as well as a special communications link that informs the charging unit of exact amperage and voltage needs. Most electric cars available in the U.S. carry AC, but not DC capability. At present, no other vehicle has the U.S. version of an AC charger alongside a DC port. Two competing electric cars from Japan, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Nissan Leaf, carry DC ports that connect only to Japanese ChaDeMo charging units. Both those cars have universal AC ports as well.

Chevy Spark EV: Video

Electric car enthusiasts will enjoy the above video that describes the Chevy Spark EV in a simple, artistic way. Location of the battery pack and motor are shown, followed by a detailed cutaway of the motor, rendered in close-up. Magnets, stator, shaft, conductor and spinning rotor are featured in the second portion of the mini-documentary. After that, the video offers a fascinating, original explanation of the planetary gear set that viewers will not soon forget. Even the mechanically challenged will appreciate the cleverness of the rendering. The clip wraps up with an overview of the car’s regenerative braking system, using 3-D graphics to demonstrate how brake application sends captured kinetic energy to the electric battery. For a two-minute video that has no narration and uses simple, animated artwork, the official Chevy production is an eloquently educational lesson about how electric cars work.

Chevy Spark EV

With its ability to accept AC or DC charging, Chevy’s all-electric production car is positioned to capture a significant piece of the EV market segment from its competitors. Using the car’s DC charger, an owner can replenish the Spark EV battery to 80 percent capacity in just 20 minutes.

For more about Chevrolet, and about the Spark EV in particular, see the automaker’s official websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com
www.chevrolet.com/spark-ev-electric-vehicle.html

Larry Bell

Chevy Volt MPG Stats Amaze Analysts

Larry Bell — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:35:14 +0000

2013 Chevy Volt

General Motors announced that Chevy Volt owners collectively surpassed 150 million miles of all-electric driving sometime in early April. Having now compiled a mountain of data about the car, its capabilities and its drivers’ habits, Chevrolet noted that the average Volt owner fills the tank once every 900 miles. That makes for approximately $1,300 in fuel savings per year for the typical Volt owner. Chevrolet reported an 8.4 percent increase in sales for the car through the initial quarter of 2013, notching 4,244 units sold for the first three months of the year. The company is on track to sell over 25,000 of the range-extender electric vehicles if current sales trends hold for the remainder of 2013.

Chevy Volt: Video

For those who have not had the chance to drive a Chevy Volt, the video clip above is one of the better online offerings of a Volt in action, and includes detailed shots of the interior and exterior. Filmed at the 2013 Vancouver Auto Show’s Ride-and-Drive, the clip covers all the basics and then some. In just over two minutes, viewers get a comprehensive overview of the award-winning, historic Chevrolet vehicle. An official Chevrolet film, the clip does a bit of question-and-answer with people who have just completed their test drive in the Volt.

Chevy Volt

GM points out that while average drivers fill up every 900 miles, many are avoiding gasoline altogether. One driver in the company survey had covered 23,500 miles and used just two tanks of fuel. That driver goes about 9,500 miles between fill ups. Many Volt owners report similar, astronomical MPG numbers based upon the fact that they mostly stay within the car’s 38-mile all-electric range on each trip. Since 2011, Chevy Volt owners are the most satisfied drivers in the world, with a full 90 percent attesting that they would purchase another Volt automobile.

For more about the Chevrolet Volt, and for Chevy’s corporate site, see the links below:
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car.html

Larry Bell

Back to the Future

Bob T — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:58:02 +0000

Hybrid Vauxhall Ampera, Chevy Volt’s cousin

A few months ago I was traveling around Europe. I wrote this blog but didn’t have time to publish it. So here it is! I will follow up with more as there has been a lot more great news since, both from GM and other car manufacturers in the Green arena!

Volt Sales Figures to Beat Target by Wide Margin!

Traveling around Holland and Amsterdam this week I spotted more Volts in one day than back home in San Jose, CA in a single day. Ok, so the Volt in Europe is typically called an Opel Ampera. Opel is the brand under which General Motors produces and markets Chevrolets in Germany and neighboring countries. In fact it is not that simple. Some countries such as Switzerland actually import Chevrolets and although it borders Germany, it has its own import laws and duties.

Rest assured that the Opel Ampera is the Chevy Volt 100%! The only difference a slight change in front look and a feature that lets you turn off the battery so the generator starts on command.

So what does this mean for the actual sales figures? To get the total picture for GM you add up USA sales figures and European sales figures and the rest of the world.

Although the Volt has been available since end 2010 in some states in the USA, its European equivalent only became available a year later and not in all of the European countries. However sales in Europe have been brisk and if it keeps going at its current rate is going to give the USA a challenge in total numbers sold per year.

Some reports already have more than 30,000 Volts/Amperas on the road and if current sales figures are any indication GM should be able to reach 100,000 before end of next year. Naturally it would help if the car was made available to the rest of the world.

Now having taken this gamble with the first mass produced EV with range extender I hope GM doesn’t become conservative. Now is the time to offer the same technology in various other GM models such as the Cadillac and Buick.

How about a plug-in SUV or convertible luxury car? And since a lot of America is still ga-ga about huge pickup trucks with an average of 13MPG, why not produce a pickup truck with plug-in Hybrid technology and thus give a drastic boost to attaining the average MPG goals set for the future. I would give it a 300hp electric motor and possibly double the battery size.

I just cruised through Europe with my family in a Volvo S50. It has a diesel engine. When I picked up the car at the airport with a full tank it told me I had a range of about 600 miles. I proceeded to drive about 120 miles. When I arrived at my destination it told me I had a range left of 630 miles. Now that’s efficient! A Diesel car typically gets about 30% more range on a gallon of diesel than a gasoline car on a gallon of gasoline.

So GM should make a Plug-in hybrid with a diesel range extender. I know Volvo has promised a big plug-in SUV soon with range extender. Lets see who can beat GM to the market!

Bob Twaalfhoven

Bob Twaalfhoven + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Owner and Visionary Creator, but people just call him “Bob T”.. Here is his full Bio: Bob Twaalfhoven. Bob lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Founder of BobCAD-CAM software. BobCAD-CAM was created by Bob, who was an engineer graduate of MIT in 1978. He created the software as a means to bring the technology of CAD/CAM to the personal computer. But overall – Bob is a lover of cars, engines and anything that is fast…

Volt, Cadillac ELR May ‘Go Small’

Larry Bell — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:47:26 +0000

Cadillac ELR hybrid-electric car

Though GM has not confirmed the report, Edmunds is saying the auto giant has a smaller, lighter engine in mind for the 2016 Chevy Volt and Cadillac ELR, both of which are hybrid-electric vehicles. The main component of the new effort, if reports are accurate, would be a 3-cylinder combustion engine for both cars. The change could see the Volt and ELR sporting a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine rather than the current configuration, which is a 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder system.

Cadillac ELR: Video

Get up close and personal with the Cadillac ELR, fresh from its recent showing at the Chicago Auto Show. The standard media photos of the vehicle really do not do justice to the sleek, futuristic ELR, which features a slightly different version of the Chevy Volt drivetrain. With all the talk of the hybrid-electric capability of Cadillac’s freshest face, sometimes the elegance and interior luxury of the Cadillac brand is downplayed or forgotten. In the case of ELR, there was no skimping on interior elegance or high-quality design.

Volt, Cadillac ELR

Before any talk of smaller engines, the Cadillac ELR first came to the world as a concept car called Converj at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. In late 2013, it will go into production as an offering under the ELR nameplate. Using a 4-cylinder Voltec propulsion system, which is all-electric, the ELR will offer an electric range of 35 miles and a top speed of 100 mph. A coupe, the front-wheel-drive 2-door can be recharged in about four and a half hours from a 240-volt outlet. GM’s Delta II platform, which is also the basis for Volt and Cruze, will be used for production of the ELR.

For more about two of the vehicles that are making big news in the auto industry, see the websites of the Chevy Volt and the Cadillac ELR below:
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car.html
http://www.cadillac.com/elr-electric-car.html

Larry Bell

Chevy Volt as Hybrid Ambulance?

Larry Bell — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:14:05 +0000

Chevy Volt to the rescue: Future UK ambulance

Chevy Volt’s British version, the Vauxhall Ampera, will soon begin testing as an ambulance for the City of York, a town which is approximately 200 miles due north of London. York already has an enormous emergency fleet of vehicles, almost 900 strong, but is in search of ways to cut fuel costs.

Chevy Volt: Video

Watch the video clip below to see a real-world mileage challenge in a 2013 Chevy Volt. The reviewer took the car between two charging stations in Canada to see how well it drove, how much all-electric range it had, and whether he would need to use any gasoline. The trip was slightly longer than the Volt’s designated electric range, so you need to watch until the end to see if the driver and his passenger are able to eke out those last few yards of battery power. After the trip is complete, watch a thorough review of what happened and why. It is fascinating stuff from an inquisitive car enthusiast.

Chevy Volt

An interesting part of the Chevy Volt history is this: The car made its debut as a 4-door, rear liftgate vehicle at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. The Volt was the very first series plug-in hybrid shown by a major automaker. GM had learned some hard lessons from its experience in the 1990s with the EV1, a two-seat electric car. In deciding to use a range-extending gasoline engine, GM was able to add two more passenger seats and decrease the battery size from approximately 10 cubic feet to 3.5 cubic feet. Because there is no connection between the gasoline motor and the drive wheels, the Chevy Volt is technically an electric car, though GM refers to it as an extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV). During the planning and design stages, what we now call the Volt was referred to as the iCar.

For more about the Chevy Volt, see the Chevrolet’s dedicated page for the vehicle:
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt

Larry Bell