[Perian]

carscoops.com

October 17, 2014

Article Quotes:

Our spies, who had a closer look at the car, told us that particular attention was paid to covering the roofs of these prototypes "leaving us to wonder if there is simply another glass roof underneath, or some sort of solar panel".

Photo Credit: carscoops.com

 

[Perian]

Glass roof? Solar panel (but that would cover the entire roof surface area, no?), simple design (allowing additional head room for a rear middle seat) - or just a prop by a GM engineer???

I have to say as a Volt owner, and potential NG Volt owner; I am curious.

Here is what the (optional) solar sunroof looks like on the Audi A8. Note how the cells are built in to the glass - no bump.

Image Credit: Car & Driver magazine.

 

[jzchev28]

Solar panel

 

[sfbreh]

Style feature?

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Camaros have an inverted version of this. It might just be a design feature.

 

[Al465]

A sail for windy days.

 

[MechEng]

Well on the Volt forums there have been a fair number of people that were not pleased that the current Volt did not have a sunroof option.

A few even moved to have aftermarket ones installed.

So it would not suprise me if it were some type of glass feature.

 

[sepi]

Rebate checks to make it sell.

Total Recall Motors really blew it with the VaporVolt - off the shelf inefficient direct drive engine that doubles as a generator - should have been smaller and biodiesel tuned to a specific and efficient powerband and not tied to driving wheels in situations.

Also TRM should have priced this thing at the price of a Prius - yes, they would have lost money, but the more these products sold, the greater the economy of scale would have been dropping the breakeven point as Toyoduh did with the Prius.

Of course the styling was rancid - high belt line with horrific gimmick of black paint to make it seem lower. Interior looked like a child took his apple discard pile and threw it at the dash and saw what stuck. Looked cheap and felt it.

The sooner that this vehicle sells over 7,500 units per month the sooner it makes money. The problem is that it will never sell that many as long as TRM plays around with it as it has. Over at Cadihack, that VaporVoltless thing should have stickered at $39,995 which would have helped to build volume and then slowly the price could have been raised - same thing with the VaporVolt. Now both are being heavily discounted and the price point is a complete and utter joke.

 

[BlackGTP]

Something with aerodynamics helping to channel the air?

 

[regfootball]

remember the 05+ maximas had the 'long' sunroof

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Nissan/2006-Nissan-Maxima-Sedan-Image-0001.jpg

 

[goatgary]

I seriously doubt it is a design feature. Has to be functional. Solar panel that stores energy?

 

[Mentat Bashar]

It could be a false memory, but, I believe a solar cell roof was supposed to be an option. This was in the couple of years leading up to the release of the final production vehicle.

 

[spd98]

Just design feature, a cell that small wouldn't add much value.

 

[SS1LE02]

I don't know why they wouldn't design a solar panel into it. It makes perfect sense. I've always wondered how come no one has done this.

 

[EJD1984]

Warp Drive Hydrogen Collector.

 

[Carguy]

Its a Q36 Explosive Space Modulator!!!

 

[hrcslam]

 

[ne_one]

It could be a false memory, but, I believe a solar cell roof was supposed to be an option. This was in the couple of years leading up to the release of the final production vehicle.

Your memory is correct... and something we haven't heard about again in years.

 

[eb110americana]

Even if you dressed the whole top side of the car in solar panels, it wouldn't provide a significant change in driving range. What would be helpful, however, is in extremely hot climates it could ventilate the interior when parked to limit the highly parasitic draw of cranking the A/C upon return. This could also come in handy to cool the battery pack, or heat it in cold weather to improve performance. That is, if we are in fact looking at a solar panel.

 

[Al465]

I don't know why they wouldn't design a solar panel into it. It makes perfect sense. I've always wondered how come no one has done this.

They have not done it because it would take a much larger roof to get enough solar cells to produce enough electricity to make it worthwhile. This is coming from a EE.