Possible Production Volt Range Extending Engine Pic

[MonaroSS]

Anyone notice that Volt has now been changed from a Plug-in Series Hybrid to a Plug-in Parallel Hybrid just like Prius?

I knew this would happen. First we heard that like with CVT gearboxes the Volts extender engine was supposed to be so efficient because it would be optimised for a single rpm range. Then just as all the CVT cars were deemed unbearable to drive like that and programmed to vary rev range to mimic a conventional engine, so too we heard that they had decided to do that with Volt.

Next we hear they are having trouble with the recharge cycles of the Volt battery and that they have decided they can't afford to recharge it on the run as it would lower the life of the battery too greatly, so the ICE would only do "charge sustaining" at 30% state of charge of the battery and that the extender engine would indeed send electrical power directly to the electric driving engine.



Then we see this above graph and it shows that the cumulative effect of all these changes means that the Volt's series hybrid layout is less efficient than the Prius' parallel hybrid layout, where the range extending engine's power can be more efficiently applied to move the vehicle if connected by mechanical gearing directly to the wheels.

And now here we see the new 1.4 range extending engine attached directly to the casting of the front differential and drive shafts. No guesses for how they are connected inside - 2-mode hybrid. So basically the Volt is now just a 1.4 litre 2-Mode hybrid FWD small sedan that’s happens to have a big enough battery to drive 40 miles on electricity while lugging around the 1.4 ICE that does noting until the power runs out. The only thing that GM will now be doing to differentiate itself from Prius is that whereas a plug-in Prius can access additional ICE power at any time deemed as required by the on-board computer, the Volt will have an arbitrary 40 mile lockout of the use of the 1.4 ICE. Great….

[packardlust]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

Anyone notice that Volt has now been changed from a Plug-in Series Hybrid to a Plug-in Parallel Hybrid just like Prius?

I knew this would happen. First we heard that like with CVT gearboxes the Volts extender engine was supposed to be so efficient because it would be optimised for a single rpm range. Then just as all the CVT cars were deemed unbearable to drive like that and programmed to vary rev range to mimic a conventional engine, so too we heard that they had decided to do that with Volt.

Next we hear they are having trouble with the recharge cycles of the Volt battery and that they have decided they can't afford to recharge it on the run as it would lower the life of the battery too greatly, so the ICE would only do "charge sustaining" at 30% state of charge of the battery and that the extender engine would indeed send electrical power directly to the electric driving engine.



Then we see this above graph and it shows that the cumulative effect of all these changes means that the Volt's series hybrid layout is less efficient than the Prius' parallel hybrid layout, where the range extending engine's power can be more efficiently applied to move the vehicle if connected by mechanical gearing directly to the wheels.

And now here we see the new 1.4 range extending engine attached directly to the casting of the front differential and drive shafts. No guesses for how they are connected inside - 2-mode hybrid. So basically the Volt is now just a 1.4 litre 2-Mode hybrid FWD small sedan that’s happens to have a big enough battery to drive 40 miles on electricity while lugging around the 1.4 ICE that does noting until the power runs out. The only thing that GM will now be doing to differentiate itself from Prius is that whereas a plug-in Prius can access additional ICE power at any time deemed as required by the on-board computer, the Volt will have an arbitrary 40 mile lockout of the use of the 1.4 ICE. Great….

Wow, you are a genius or a GM engineer! With all due respect you can tell that this is the new GM Prius from the above photo? I think you are very very wrong. All I can actually identify from this photo is the typical looking GM trans axle and the 2 half shaft connected through industrial safety couplings (the yellow things) connected to a unidentified device. The rest of the picture is a mass of wires and metal and an occasional identifiable auto part that makes not a lot of sense, like GM intended.

[blaksabb]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

Robin Green readies the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicleÍs range-extender for testing at GMÍs new global Powertrain Engineering Development Center in Pontiac, Mich. X08CO_FT051 (United States)

"This is clearly part of the Large Hadron Collider. It has nothing to do with the Volt."

*hurries Toyota engineers on to the next display*

"And here we have a state-of-the-art powerplant that is very high in power output vs. external dimension and weight. We use an amazing cam-in-block technology and refer to it as the LS3. Perhaps something like this would benefit you in your NASCAR fantasies."

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by blaksabb

"This is clearly part of the Large Hadron Collider. It has nothing to do with the Volt."

*hurries Toyota engineers on to the next display*

"And here we have a state-of-the-art powerplant that is very high in power output vs. external dimension and weight. We use an amazing cam-in-block technology and refer to it as the LS3. Perhaps something like this would benefit you in your NASCAR fantasies."

You mean it's not the Volt's flux capacitor??!

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by zete

Excellent. Now, with that photo, I'm off to make my own Volt. How hard can it be. It's all right there in that photo.

I'm glad they're showing it's closer to reality than vapour. Everyone I know is excited about the Volt and they all want it to succeed. Pictures showing drivetrain testing just shows that it's closer to market. Good on GM for keeping the noise up about what they're doing. It's keeping the likes of Toyota from saying anything.

And I do so hope GM gets this out next year sometime. That would be an awesome coup.

Ok, you all are very funny. My point was is that Maximum Bob has been spewing out all kinds of things from range, prices, time-tables, now were seeing pictures etc. Why not zip it and bring it? And he has stated that development was to be transparent. I think that was just because GM didn't think the media believed they would actually go forward with it. But I say, they should have just developed it and brought it out SURPRISE!! and let the sales begin...

[windvale]

Originally Posted by roteague

The size is exaggerated; a very wide angle lens was used, very close up. It isn't as big as it looks.

That's what my wife said...

sorry, couldn't resist

[zete]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

Ok, you all are very funny. My point was is that Maximum Bob has been spewing out all kinds of things from range, prices, time-tables, now were seeing pictures etc. Why not zip it and bring it? And he has stated that development was to be transparent. I think that was just because GM didn't think the media believed they would actually go forward with it. But I say, they should have just developed it and brought it out SURPRISE!! and let the sales begin...

Problem is GM is suffering from an image problem. This shows they're taking the whole "green" thing seriously, and providing the world with EV2. To do that they need to be transparent, otherwise until the "surprise" life would suck with GM being lambasted in the media for "not going green", "having no initiatives to combat the Prius", etc. GM can't have it both ways so opted for this way. I think it's a good plan.

And it's not hard to figure out how the Volt works. It's not the mechanicals that are going to be special but the software. Let's all be honest, the mechanicals are obvious, they're similar to the EV1 but with a range extender -- which was GM's original design for the EV1. And I'm sure Toyota et al already know how the EV1 worked.

[megeebee]

Everyone is assuming this photo to be a certain thing. Does anyone have confirmation?




.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

Sir, you can't let him in here. He'll see everything. He'll see the big board!

-Gen Buck Turgidson-Dr Strangelove



But you cant let the see the power converters!


Thankfully Darth Lutz will intercept Princess Leya's ship and retrive the plans the plans of the Voltstar

..and the Ewoks will invade and destroy Toyota with logs and rocks while Flash Gordon beats the Borg to Automobile Magazine and MSN to head off publication of a unfavorable review..........God, this is exciting!

[rueben44]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

Ok, you all are very funny. My point was is that Maximum Bob has been spewing out all kinds of things from range, prices, time-tables, now were seeing pictures etc. Why not zip it and bring it? And he has stated that development was to be transparent. I think that was just because GM didn't think the media believed they would actually go forward with it. But I say, they should have just developed it and brought it out SURPRISE!! and let the sales begin...

You don't have to keep stating it. I know everyone is making fun but there is a reason why every time GM hits with a product the competition seems to stay one pace ahead. If this were Honda or Toyota we would not see images like this at all or not until about 2 months before it hits market. They keep their mouths shut and they seem to stay ahead. I wonder if there is something to that concept. Never mind I think Lockheed Martin should start showing images of secret US planes inside. I mean nothing can be gained from it.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by megeebee

Everyone is assuming this photo to be a certain thing. Does anyone have confirmation?




.

Only GM's own word for it. Follow this link to GM's media page and read it for yourself......of course it could be a mistake or lie.....

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/previewpage?048274

[ronald mcretard]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

Anyone notice that Volt has now been changed from a Plug-in Series Hybrid to a Plug-in Parallel Hybrid just like Prius?

I knew this would happen. First we heard that like with CVT gearboxes the Volts extender engine was supposed to be so efficient because it would be optimised for a single rpm range. Then just as all the CVT cars were deemed unbearable to drive like that and programmed to vary rev range to mimic a conventional engine, so too we heard that they had decided to do that with Volt.

Next we hear they are having trouble with the recharge cycles of the Volt battery and that they have decided they can't afford to recharge it on the run as it would lower the life of the battery too greatly, so the ICE would only do "charge sustaining" at 30% state of charge of the battery and that the extender engine would indeed send electrical power directly to the electric driving engine.



Then we see this above graph and it shows that the cumulative effect of all these changes means that the Volt's series hybrid layout is less efficient than the Prius' parallel hybrid layout, where the range extending engine's power can be more efficiently applied to move the vehicle if connected by mechanical gearing directly to the wheels.

And now here we see the new 1.4 range extending engine attached directly to the casting of the front differential and drive shafts. No guesses for how they are connected inside - 2-mode hybrid. So basically the Volt is now just a 1.4 litre 2-Mode hybrid FWD small sedan that’s happens to have a big enough battery to drive 40 miles on electricity while lugging around the 1.4 ICE that does noting until the power runs out. The only thing that GM will now be doing to differentiate itself from Prius is that whereas a plug-in Prius can access additional ICE power at any time deemed as required by the on-board computer, the Volt will have an arbitrary 40 mile lockout of the use of the 1.4 ICE. Great….

So I guess your point is that the Volt will be less efficient than the Prius after the first 40 miles?

GM's point is that 78% of Americans don't drive more than 40 miles in one day. If those 78% bought Volts, they would almost NEVER use gas. If they bought Priuses, they would get very good mileage, but they would still be using gas.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

So I guess your point is that the Volt will be less efficient than the Prius after the first 40 miles?

GM's point is that 78% of Americans don't drive more than 40 miles in one day. If those 78% bought Volts, they would almost NEVER use gas. If they bought Priuses, they would get very good mileage, but they would still be using gas.

No, actually my point is that the Volt 'WAS' going to be less efficient than the Prius from the moment the auxiliary ICE was required. A Series Hybrid like the Volt (after the stored battery power has been consumed) are always less efficient than a Parallel Hybrid like the Prius, simply because power is more efficiently transferred via conventional mechanical transmissions than by generator to electric motor transmissions.

No, my point is that it now appears that GM is scrapping their plan to make the Volt a series hybrid and are now, with the use of the same 1.4 engine used in other applications of the Volt's new Delta platform, going to make Volt a parallel hybrid like the Prius is. It will in effect be a 2-mode hybrid for Delta. The exception being that they will have the software arbitrarily prevent the driver from using the ICE until after the battery pack reduces to a 30% state of charge.

In other words, GM is backtracking and watering Volt down to something that is nothing like what it started out to be....

The accountants are winning this war....

[rueben44]

^^^^^
You sound very knowledgeable but I don't understand something. You are stating I presume that Gm is making the Volt into something it was not originally to save money. At the same time you are saying it is becoming for efficient. Is that correct?

[wagonertheidiot]

I just find it funny that the only fuel efficient car to come out of GM in years isn't even out yet and is going to cost 45 to 50 thousand bucks.

Meanwhile honda is working on a new hybrid that will cost 19,500 bucks.

GM, is there some reason you can't built a cheap, fuel efficient car and honda can?