My Nissan Leaf Forum

Hard to believe that this muddled and contradictory post is an official response. If it is, we can only hope that the engineering is a lot better than the spinning.

My jaw went to the floor on this one: "The software was redesigned to not regenerate power by braking, it would only run on the power in the batteries until it was low enough that the generator (ICE) was needed. Many of the engineers on the Voltec project felt betrayed by GMs motive to change what was already a completed and perfected vehicle. It was shortly there after the head of the project (Frank Weber) decided to take his expertise and leave for BMW. This makes a great deal of sense given the Volt was using technology designed and funded by the BMW GM Daimler/Chrysler partnership."

The Volt doesn't have regen? Frank Weber left shortly after the car was designed? (The car was designed in 2006-2007 and he left in 2011). And he left for BMW because he was unhappy that GM was using technology funded in part by BMW? Hard to know when to stop laughing. In truth there was a group of engineers who wanted to do a parallel hybrid not an EREV. They were overruled by Lutz and Lauckner who wanted to do an EREV. Good call! Apparently Frank Weber wasn't a parallel hybrid devotee. He joined the team after that decision had been made.

Nothing against the i8, and it does have a different setup than the Volt, but, after GM has produced an EREV that costs $40K, producing one that costs $140K, even with a much faster 0-60 time, just doesn't seem special. The Fisker Karma is RWD and by the time the i8 shows up Fisker should be able to meet or beat the performance of the i8, assuming it's still around of course.

From: http://gm-volt.com/2010/11/30/the-volt-has-launched-first-consumer-build-being-auctioned-online/
The Volt Has Launched: First Consumer Build Being Auctioned Online
Interview Lyle had with Bob Lutz. I listened to it last night... historic to hear the words directly from back then and understanding their meaning today.

MP3 interview: http://gm-volt.com/files/dennislutz.mp3

“The way you become a Value leader in this economy is to create an exceptional product that is affordable. Price alone will not determine value."

.....Alexander Edwards, President of Strategic Vision. “The Volt has been the center of attention for a number of reasons, but the customers love their vehicles and the perceived value they receive. With its leading edge and innovative powertrain, they have purchased a part of what will be the future,” says Edwards. Volt not only had the highest Total Value score in the Mid-Size Car Segment, but had the highest score of any vehicle in Strategic Vision’s comprehensive study. Volt owners had a median annual income of $133,000, with 37% having post doctorate degrees—perhaps making them “early adopter aficionados’,” similar to those who first purchased Prius when it debuted over fifteen years ago and who were looking to make a statement.

As a Volt owner.. nothing here surprised me. I'm part of that 37%.

GM is offering a replacement for the Volt's 120v charging cord (new part# 22914085). New one apparently has a heavier duty plug and larger wire for the 12" (inch) plug to EVSE to help with these issues.

As a Volt owner.. nothing here surprised me. I'm part of that 37%.

For the past year or so, Fox News has been mercilessly bashing Chevrolet’s new electric vehicle, the Volt. They have derided it as an unsafe, unpopular, taxpayer-funded boondoggle, that was foisted on the auto industry and the public by President Obama as part of his socialist agenda.

This well-coordinate media assault encompassed conservative television, radio, newspapers, and Internet, and was an unprecedented effort aimed squarely at an American made product. They disparaged the company, the car, and the American workers who produced it. This vilification of the Volt has been most prominently featured on Fox News properties, where it has been the subject of withering criticism, despite the fact that it is also the North American Car of the Year and the European Car of the Year for 2011, the first time a car has won both honors.

This makes this morning’s segment on Fox & Friends, with media consultant Lee Spieckerman, all the more curious. Host Steve Doocy introduced his guest for a segment titled “Can the Chevy Volt Help Win the War on Terror?” by saying that, “It’s a great car that’s gotten a bad rap, all because of President Obama’s record, perhaps.”

Hell has froze over video --> http://video.foxnews.com/v/152985694400 ... on-terror/