Motor Authority - blog Tag: Voltec

One of the most exciting cars from January’s Detroit Auto Show was the Cadillac Converj concept car, which General Motors used to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in a luxury platform. Despite the concept featuring one of the most striking designs we’ve seen in a while, GM's then vice chairman Bob Lutz said it was designed so that any eventual production version would look “exactly like” the show car, hinting that we may eventually see such a car in showrooms.

The company’s financial state, however, says the opposite, but there remains a chance the Converj may make it out of the economic storm. One of the biggest opponents to the car...

One of the most exciting cars from January’s Detroit Auto Show was the Cadillac Converj concept car, which General Motors used to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in a luxury platform. Despite the concept featuring one of the most striking designs we’ve seen in a while, GM's then vice chairman Bob Lutz said it was designed so that any eventual production version would look “exactly like” the show car, hinting that we may eventually see such a car in showrooms. The company’s financial state, however, says the opposite, but there remains a chance the Converj may make it out of the economic storm. One of the biggest opponents to the car was the U.S. Treasury Dept.'s auto task force, which questioned the economics of such an expensive model. However, a group within GM, led by new marketing chief Bob Lutz, is reportedly trying to find a way to get the car engineered and funded. It could potentially serve as a technology halo for the Cadillac brand although it wouldn’t go on sale until around 2014 if given the green light. According to previous reports, the car would be based on the same Delta platform as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, and power would also come from the same Voltec plug-in hybrid system. Inside sources have also previously revealed that a seven-seater MPV plug-in hybrid was in the pipeline--already previewed by the 2008 Chevrolet Orlando concept. The Cadillac plug-in hybrid would feature extra batteries to power a higher-output electric motor than the one in the Volt. The styling of the vehicle would also be slightly different to the Converj concept as much of internal structure, such as the firewall, would need to be sourced from the taller Volt. GM has consistently stated that its Voltec plug-in hybrid system would be used in other models to spread the investment costs as much as possible, and reports of a Cadillac plug-in hybrid date back as far as August, 2008. [BusinessWeek] Read More

The Chevrolet Volt is still nearly two full years from production, but the Opel-branded version of it is already on display in Geneva. Today General Motors finally pulled the sheet off its European plug-in hybrid, revealing the car in full photographic detail.

The new Ampera is essentially Opel’s version of the Chevrolet Volt and it is set to make its full debut in production trim tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show. While the Volt will first hit showrooms in the U.S. late next year, the Ampera isn't expected to go on sale until sometime in 2011. The official image joins renderings and previously leaked sketches to give us a preview as... The Chevrolet Volt is still nearly two full years from production, but the Opel-branded version of it is already on display in Geneva. Today General Motors finally pulled the sheet off its European plug-in hybrid, revealing the car in full photographic detail. The new Ampera is essentially Opel’s version of the Chevrolet Volt and it is set to make its full debut in production trim tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show. While the Volt will first hit showrooms in the U.S. late next year, the Ampera isn't expected to go on sale until sometime in 2011. The official image joins renderings and previously leaked sketches to give us a preview as to what the Ampera will look like, revealing that its basic styling will remain almost the same as the Volt. Subtle differences will be unique bumper designs and alloy wheel patterns. Powering the car will be the new ‘Voltec’ plug-in hybrid system that was showcased recently in the Cadillac Converj Concept at last month’s Detroit Auto Show. Voltec is the latest iteration of GM’s E-Flex plug-in hybrid powertrain and features both a compact internal combustion engine and an electric drive system. For short trips of up to 40 miles, the Ampera will run only on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard European 230-volt outlet. According to Frank Weber, the vehicle line executive for the Volt and Ampera, charge times will only take about two to three hours. This will ensure that the Ampera is well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80% of German drivers travel less than 30 miles daily. For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by the small internal combustion engine, boosting the driving range to more than 500 miles. It's anyone's guess as to how the separation from GM will affect Opel and the Ampera, though with the reveal of the car, it can be expected that their relationship will at least support the production of this high-tech vehicle, despite the distant launch date.2011 Chevrolet Volt Production model2011 Opel Ampera plug-in hybridOpel Ampera unveiling at 2009 Geneva Motor Show Read More

General Motors recently gave us a preview of a new plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the Chevrolet Volt that the company plans to sell in Europe under its Opel division. The car is the new Opel Ampera and it is set to make its world debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show. GM has now released a short video of Frank Weber, the vehicle line executive for the Volt and Ampera, explaining the technology behind the cars’ E-Flex plug-in hybrid system.

This previous official teaser image of the Ampera reveals that the Opel vehicle will be very similar to the Volt plug-in hybrid, with the only glaringly obvious differences between the cars... General Motors recently gave us a preview of a new plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the Chevrolet Volt that the company plans to sell in Europe under its Opel division. The car is the new Opel Ampera and it is set to make its world debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show. GM has now released a short video of Frank Weber, the vehicle line executive for the Volt and Ampera, explaining the technology behind the cars’ E-Flex plug-in hybrid system. This previous official teaser image of the Ampera reveals that the Opel vehicle will be very similar to the Volt plug-in hybrid, with the only glaringly obvious differences between the cars being a new grille and bumper design. Like the Volt, the Ampera will be a four-door hatch with five-seater capacity. Powering the car will be the new ‘Voltec’ plug-in hybrid system that was showcased recently in the Cadillac Converj Concept at this month’s Detroit Auto Show. Voltec is the latest iteration of GM’s E-Flex plug-in hybrid powertrain and features both a compact internal combustion engine and an electric drive system. For short trips up to 40 miles, the Ampera will run only on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard European 230-volt outlet. For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by the small internal combustion engine. The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80% of German drivers travel less than 30 miles daily. More details, including an expected release date, will be revealed closer to the car’s Geneva reveal this March.2011 Chevrolet Volt Production model2009 Cadillac Converj plug-in hybrid coupe concept2011 Opel Ampera plug-in hybridOpel Ampera concept technology explained Read More

One of the most exciting cars from last week’s Detroit Auto Show was the Cadillac Converj concept car, which General Motors used to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in a luxury platform. Despite the concept featuring one of the most striking designs we’ve seen in a while, GM vice chairman Bob Lutz said it was designed so that any eventual production version would look “exactly like” the show car.

The concept’s exterior isn’t the only design aspect that is near the production stage. The new Voltec plug-in hybrid powertrain is the same unit from the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, which GM plans to launch... One of the most exciting cars from last week’s Detroit Auto Show was the Cadillac Converj concept car, which General Motors used to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in a luxury platform. Despite the concept featuring one of the most striking designs we’ve seen in a while, GM vice chairman Bob Lutz said it was designed so that any eventual production version would look “exactly like” the show car. The concept’s exterior isn’t the only design aspect that is near the production stage. The new Voltec plug-in hybrid powertrain is the same unit from the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, which GM plans to launch in late 2010. Furthermore, GM will soon construct a factory in Michigan together with LG Chem to build the advanced lithium-ion batteries required to power the hybrid system. Unfortunately, tight finances and more important vehicles in the pipeline have killed any chance of the Converj entering production anytime soon, despite all the basic ingredients being there. "Ready to go? Well, first we have to prove to ourselves that we have the money," Lutz said during an interview with Automotive News. “We haven't done any of that work yet." Lutz went on to reveal that, if produced, the Converj would be priced similarly to other luxury coupes such as the Lexus SC 430 and Cadillac XLR.2009 Cadillac Converj plug-in hybrid coupe concept Read More

General Motors unveiled a further glimpse at the potential of electric propulsion today, this time in the form the Cadillac Converj Concept. The new show car was developed as an upmarket GT with a bold design and a bevy of advanced powertrain technology.

The four-passenger Converj concept is intended to show how GM’s electric propulsion technology – called Voltec – can power a luxury coupe. The technology enables up to 40 miles of petrol and emissions-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles.

Cadillac’s extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) concept has a new body style that is an... General Motors unveiled a further glimpse at the potential of electric propulsion today, this time in the form the Cadillac Converj Concept. The new show car was developed as an upmarket GT with a bold design and a bevy of advanced powertrain technology. The four-passenger Converj concept is intended to show how GM’s electric propulsion technology – called Voltec – can power a luxury coupe. The technology enables up to 40 miles of petrol and emissions-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles. Cadillac’s extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) concept has a new body style that is an evolution of the brand’s traditional Art and Science design theme, with an aggressive forward-leaning arc profile dominating the design. The concept’s Voltec electric propulsion system is made up of a 16-kWh, T-shaped battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car. A thermally managed battery pack contains more than 220 lithium-ion cells that provide the primary power to drive the Converj electrically up to 40 miles without using fuel or producing tailpipe emissions. The battery is integrated into the Converj’s chassis and stores electricity from the grid when the vehicle is plugged in. It takes less than three hours to recharge the battery at 240V, or about eight hours from a 120V outlet. When the battery’s energy is low, the Converj seamlessly switches to extended-range mode. During this secondary level of operation, electricity needed to power the vehicle is created on-board by a flex-fuel-powered engine that operates much like a home generator to create electricity. Whether in electric or extended-range mode, the Converj is propelled all the time by an electric drive unit. It converts electrical energy from the battery or the engine-generator into mechanical energy to drive the front wheels. It also delivers 273lb-ft (370Nm) of instant torque, for a quick launch, and 120kW of power. The top speed is 100mph. To enhance the ride feel, the Converj also features GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, and for greater efficiency, energy during braking is captured and stored in the battery. Styling features include a sweeping body line with 21in wheels up front and 22in units at the rear. The concept’s exterior is painted a dark silver tri-coat called ‘Reaction,’ and is joined by an all-glass roof that incorporates solar panels to help offset power drained from the vehicle’s accessories. Inside, there is a 2+2 configuration that is trimmed in contrasting white and black leather trim, as well as polished aluminum and wood grain accents.2009 Cadillac Converj plug-in hybrid coupe concept Read More