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Lutz confirms Chevrolet Orlando may get Volt hybrid technology

 
16 8,475 views August 3, 2009

2008 Chevrolet Orlando Concept

Chevrolet promises highway fuel economy of around 40mpg (5.88L/100km) for regular petrol-powered models

Chevrolet promises highway fuel economy of around 40mpg (5.88L/100km) for regular petrol-powered models

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General Motors has confirmed that it will bring a production version of last year’s Chevrolet Orlando concept vehicle to the United States in 2011, reversing an earlier decision to only sell the vehicle overseas. Now it looks like GM is also considering using its Volt plug-in hybrid technology in the Orlando.

Bob Lutz, speaking with GM-Volt today re-confirmed what other GM officials have previously suggested: that the Voltec powertrain found in the Volt could be applied to the Orlando.

"I would point out that the Chevrolet Orlando is built on the same basic vehicle architecture and component set as the Chevrolet Volt," GM's vice president of global program management, Jon Lauckner, revealed to Automotive News back in January. "So if it makes sense, it's certainly something we can take a look at."

Furthermore, GM's president of North America, Troy Clarke, said the Orlando’s platform was "very adaptable" to sharing the Volt technology.

Even without any hybrid technology, Chevrolet promises highway fuel economy of around 40mpg (5.88L/100km) for a gasoline-powered Orlando, and a more efficient diesel version is thought to be on the table for U.S. sale as well.

Sitting on the same platform as the recently revealed Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, the Orlando will be able to seat up to seven adults and will be powered by a range of engines displacing between 1.6 and 2.0L. The most powerful model will be a 2.0L turbodiesel with 150hp (112kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque.

The Orlando will likely be built at GM’s Hamtramck plant in Michigan, however there is still a chance that a cheaper imported version may be sourced from South Korea.
Chevrolet Orlando Concept Official photos

HI-RES GALLERY: 2008 Chevrolet Orlando Concept




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Comments (16)

  1. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/19/2009 5:47pm PST

    Bring the diesel and do panel van versions and an SS version
     
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  2. ma_Damien Thomas avatar Damien Thomas Posted: 1/19/2009 7:00pm PST

    NoName, with Volkswagen bringing a Golf TDI later this year and Audi with the A3 TDI, I think we will start to see a lot more manufacturers bringing in diesel vehicles. Perhaps even the Detroit 3.

    Afterall, this car, along with the Chevy Spark, wasn't even going to make it to the US. At least the polocies of old are starting to change.
     
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  3. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/19/2009 7:59pm PST

    I doubt it, the domestic atuomakers are very iffy on diesels. That is fine for luxury makes, but with diesel higher then gas, they will not spend the money to bring them here and focus on hybrids and electric cars.
     
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  4. ma_bepsf avatar bepsf Posted: 8/3/2009 1:55pm PDT

    Makes sense to me - spread the technology across more market segments and watch the prices drop.

    The only thing left for GM to do would be to add this technology to the Buick lineup - They already have the perfect name for a Buick hybrid option package: "Electra"

    NND--

    When did VW suddenly become a luxury marque?
     
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  5. ma_K_Ramos avatar K_Ramos Posted: 8/3/2009 2:39pm PDT

    I agree with bepsf. spread the technology around it will drive the prices down. It's been proven a million times.

    Why people are scared of diesels boggles my mind. With the new cleaner diesel technology that is available I'm actually surprised that they havent been brought over years ago.
     
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  6. ma_bepsf avatar bepsf Posted: 8/3/2009 3:06pm PDT

    K_Ramos--

    Indeed - and linking Common-Rail Turbodiesels w/ Auto-Stop and Hybrid technologies would easily bring 70-80MPG into the realm of reality.
     
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  7. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 8/3/2009 3:18pm PDT

    Makes sense to me - spread the technology across more market segments and watch the prices drop.

    The only thing left for GM to do would be to add this technology to the Buick lineup - They already have the perfect name for a Buick hybrid option package: "Electra"

    NND--

    When did VW suddenly become a luxury marque?

    Ever heard VW's commericals where the compare themselves with BMW< Mercedes, Maserati and such?
     
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  8. ma_bepsf avatar bepsf Posted: 8/3/2009 4:05pm PDT

    "Ever heard VW's commericals where the compare themselves with BMW< Mercedes, Maserati and such?"

    Nope - but perhaps I'm watching the wrong networks...

    ...although just as Ford compares the 2010 Taurus to a Lexus - a comparison doesn't make it a competitor.
     
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  9. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 8/3/2009 5:11pm PDT

    "Ever heard VW's commericals where the compare themselves with BMW< Mercedes, Maserati and such?"

    Nope - but perhaps I'm watching the wrong networks...

    ...although just as Ford compares the 2010 Taurus to a Lexus - a comparison doesn't make it a competitor.

    Explain the VW Passat caught testing comparing itself to the C-class
     
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  10. ma_HECTOR avatar HECTOR Posted: 8/3/2009 6:14pm PDT

    This is a good looking vehicle, I hope it's a success.

    As to VW being a luxury marque I have to agree with bepsf: just because Joey Porsche (bing him) thinks he's cool it doesn't make him so. Same thing with the Passat thinking itself a C-class. Maybe the Passat CC... and that would still fall short.
     
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  11. ma_54chevyman avatar 54chevyman Posted: 8/3/2009 6:45pm PDT

    Why not the Passat is a rebadged Audi. Clean diesels are hear to stay, they offer superior mileage to anything but an advance costly hybrid, and they last twice as long. We know where the GM diesel comes from,... Germany! The US is back!
     
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  12. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 8/3/2009 8:38pm PDT

    Why not the Passat is a rebadged Audi. Clean diesels are hear to stay, they offer superior mileage to anything but an advance costly hybrid, and they last twice as long. We know where the GM diesel comes from,... Germany! The US is back!

    GM is focusing on hybrids in the US
     
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  13. ma_54chevyman avatar 54chevyman Posted: 8/4/2009 5:12am PDT

    GM's lineup without massive incentives seems overpriced in the mid range choices, Impala, Malibu and the 2 models from Buick. They may need to lower sticker prices to get more traffic! Bring in new models that are cost effective. There are too many Denali s and its counterparts, and not enough mid sized fuel efficient but affordable options. That's where a diesel may fill the gap in a package for around $20,000. They have ways to go before their lineup makes sense!
     
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  14. ma_bepsf avatar bepsf Posted: 8/4/2009 1:02pm PDT


    Explain the VW Passat caught testing comparing itself to the C-class

    You do realize that automobiles - Passats included - are inanimate objects?

    Objects don't make comparisons, People do.
     
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  15. By  MG Posted: 9/28/2009 10:48am PDT

    Bring the diesel and I will seriously consider this vehicle instead of Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. I will shop Chevy again if the diesel is an option. I will be in the market when this thing launches since kid #2 will be on the way, (that is the plan anyway). Don't tease us with the only diesel minivan or whatever you want to call it in the US and then fail to deliver. Failure to deliver is what got domestic automakers to the place they are in now. I drive a VW by the way and so does my wife. Neither is a diesel but if we have to drive a minivan then we want a diesel so we can take long road trips and get fantastic mileage.
     
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  16. By  Jim Vandelly Posted: 1/25/2010 4:01pm PST

    One note about bringing clean-diesels to the U.S. car market. Engines were available, but low sulphur diesel was in short supply. Most of the diesel fuel was sent to European and other countries.
     
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