2012 Volt to be sold as a Holden

[Hamico]

The Chairman and Managing Director of GM-Holden, Mark Reuss, in an end of year review given to motoring media in Melbourne last night announced that the version of the Chevrolet Volt electric-powered vehicle to be sold in Australia would carry the Holden nameplate.

“I can assure you that the Volt, when we start selling it in 2012, will have a lion badge on it,” Mr Reuss said.

.

[iloveholden]

Interesting....lets just hope Holden/GM is still around in 2012 :1peek:

[planetdavo]

Should be a good move, with Holden aiming toward a more "green" existence. Models like Volt enable the advertising to be maximised.

[djst]

I smell Government money,
The car companies are turning green ,almost overnight.:popcorn:

[Jac001]

I smell Government money,
The car companies are turning green ,almost overnight.:popcorn:

Thats what you get when the government more than double the green car fund to $1.2B (up from $500m)

[zaim]

Let's hope money doesn't become an issue and people actually give a fcuk about the environment and the future

[Hamico]

The Volt looks good, much better than a Prius...

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24758744-5006301,00.html

.

[Drewie]

Interesting article... The bit about E10 in the article was interesting,
guess we will be using Ethanol whether we like it not.

"The NSW Cabinet voted on Tuesday to legislate mandatory ethanol use for the first time in Australia.

It plans to phase out regular unleaded completely by 2011 and replace it with a 10 per cent ethanol blend known as E10."

[BLACK 346]

Interesting article... The bit about E10 in the article was interesting,
guess we will be using Ethanol whether we like it not.

"The NSW Cabinet voted on Tuesday to legislate mandatory ethanol use for the first time in Australia.

It plans to phase out regular unleaded completely by 2011 and replace it with a 10 per cent ethanol blend known as E10."

It is only the Regular Unleaded though, how many on this forum would
use regular unleaded?

[Jac001]

Let's hope money doesn't become an issue and people actually give a fcuk about the environment and the future

Your kidding right?

If people cared about the environemnt we would have banned cars years ago!

If the internal combustion engine was developed today (rather than 100 years ago), it would never be allowed for sale.

[VL Executive]

Interesting article... The bit about E10 in the article was interesting,
guess we will be using Ethanol whether we like it not.

"The NSW Cabinet voted on Tuesday to legislate mandatory ethanol use for the first time in Australia.

It plans to phase out regular unleaded completely by 2011 and replace it with a 10 per cent ethanol blend known as E10."

Obviously, they dont care about people with older vehicles that arent ethanol compatable or dont want to use ethanol blend in them.

Looks like Ill be using premium fuels all the time if Queensland takes that idea on. :(

[VW Golf R32]

Will the release of the Volt be delayed? GM announced this week that construction of the new assembly plant for production of the electric motor has been delayed:

http://www.mlive.com/businessreview/oakland/index.ssf/2009/01/general_motors_again_idles_vol.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,484444,00.html

GM's touted saviour is looking increasingly less like the Messiah it was originally predicted to be.

[Desertws6]

It would have been nice to stick a little closer to the original concept car.

http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/08/2010-Chevy-Volt-Graphic.jpg

The new version looks so much like other cars on the road, seems to be missing character. The rear wheels do seem a bit out of proportion.

Cheers,
Steve

[KCB50L]

What's people's hang up's about ethanol fuels, I've used it for years without drama, there is a united petroleum in blacktown that sells 100 octane E10, I use that in the LS1 regularly and haven't had a single problem in 4 months since I started using it.

[GMHG3N]

from the pics of seen of this 'VOLT' my honest opinion.... FKN sh!house, looks wise anyway!


Heres to the VOLT :flipoff:

[planetdavo]

from the pics of seen of this 'VOLT' my honest opinion.... FKN sh!house, looks wise anyway!


Heres to the VOLT :flipoff:
Go easy. Seen a Prius lately? It aint no Jennifer Hawkins itself buddy, but there's quite a few getting around...:lmao:

[duke5700]

Bring on the electric car... I will be able to modify it with impunity.

[WIKED]

I agree, bring on the electric car.
I don't mind buying one to use as a work mule if the price is fairly reasonable.But I will always have a V8 in the garage for weekends.

[VEbudSS]

Bring on the electric car... I will be able to modify it with impunity.

Bring it on with 700 Horses

http://jalopnik.com/399098/700hp-lightning-gt-electric-sports-car-goes-200-miles-on-10-minute-charge

[VW Golf R32]

Bring it on with 700 Horses

http://jalopnik.com/399098/700hp-lightning-gt-electric-sports-car-goes-200-miles-on-10-minute-charge

I don't care how much power electric vehicles have because they sound like vacuum cleaners. :spew:

[VEbudSS]

I don't care how much power electric vehicles have because they sound like vacuum cleaners. :spew:

well it will suit the guys who listen to the doof doof

[OLDYELLA65]

Go easy. Seen a Prius lately? It aint no Jennifer Hawkins itself buddy, but there's quite a few getting around...:lmao:

The good majority of which seem to have Government Plates..Pool cars??Driven by Indian VicRoads Dept. heads!!!

or this....YouTube - Wrightspeed X1 Electric Car beats Ferrari and Porsche (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qDZOBQs60w)

[duke5700]

I don't care how much power electric vehicles have because they sound like vacuum cleaners. :spew:

And your golf doesnt sound like a fart in a tunnel?? Have you seen the youtube video of the electric drag car. All you can hear is the tyres protesting as it heads down the quarter. I will agree with you its a strange strange thing. The best thing about a dedicated electric motor is a thing called infinite torque. The more load you put on them the more torque they create.

[Holden Man]

O/T sought of.....

Does anyone else get sick of prius owners thinking they are the messiah returned ?!! :vpo:

Volt kills the Prius in the looks dept IMO.

HSV Volt anyone !

[VEbudSS]

O/T sought of.....

Does anyone else get sick of prius owners thinking they are the messiah returned ?!! :vpo:


cant say ive met any Prius owners....

[VW Golf R32]

And your golf doesnt sound like a fart in a tunnel??

I didn't realise I owned a VW. Off to check my garage.................

[duke5700]

I didn't realise I owned a VW. Off to check my garage.................


You know what they say about assumptions.

[VW Golf R32]

I think the Volt is a big gamble for GM. Radical new car with radical styling all to be built by GM in-house.

Ford :moon: is going the more conservative route by releasing an existing medium sized car with assistance for the new powertain by an external supplier:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090202/AUTO01/902020354

Time will tell who succeeds.

[A^K^T]

I think the Volt is a big gamble for GM. Radical new car with radical styling all to be built by GM in-house.

Ford :moon: is going the more conservative route by releasing an existing medium sized car with assistance for the new powertain by an external supplier:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090202/AUTO01/902020354

Time will tell who succeeds.

Hopefully the Volt (and the Australian version) will be a good car to drive , own and to look at . When it comes out i will have a serious look at it if it's a price i can afford .

I know in this country that it won't be that green having an electric car as most of our power is produced by coal or natural gas but there is the potential to charge it or top up the battery's during the day using solar power .

If the Volt is anything like the Tesla (http://www.teslamotors.com/) There could be interesting times ahead .

[duke5700]

Hopefully the Volt (and the Australian version) will be a good car to drive , own and to look at . When it comes out i will have a serious look at it if it's a price i can afford .

I know in this country that it won't be that green having an electric car as most of our power is produced by coal or natural gas but there is the potential to charge it or top up the battery's during the day using solar power .

If the Volt is anything like the Tesla (http://www.teslamotors.com/) There could be interesting times ahead .

If only solar was at a level where it could give enough charge to do anything you would be on a winner. If you could develop it you could possibly be the richest man in the world.

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

i Guess we will be considering things like armature and wire size and stat ore weight and windings and overload breakers that can be modded and Milly amps to the km AND A PERFORMANCE VOLTAGE BOOSTER :)

[duke5700]

i Guess we will be considering things like armature and wire size and stat ore weight and windings and overload breakers that can be modded and Milly amps to the km AND A PERFORMANCE VOLTAGE BOOSTER :)

haha yep this is the way it will head. No where did I put those Advanced DC Machines Text books....

[Fnomna]

So will Holden get the Chev Volt or the Opel version, the 5dr-hatch Ampera?
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090219.027/opel-ampera-spied-completely-uncovered
Considering the history of getting Opels, probably the Ampera.

[Road Warrior]

I agree, bring on the electric car.
I don't mind buying one to use as a work mule if the price is fairly reasonable.But I will always have a V8 in the garage for weekends.

Exactly, I'm looking forward to this car coming here. Apparently you will be able to option it with a solar panel for it's roof turret too - recharges the batteries while you're parked at the shops!

My commute to work is only 15klm each way and that may mean I might only have to buy petrol once every few months!

[Road Warrior]

The thing I like about the Volt is that the petrol engine is decoupled from the drivetrain (mechanically) so that it doesnt get its primary motive power from the petrol engine, unlike the Pri-arse.

The petrol engine exists to power a gen set to charge the batteries and that's all.

[VEbudSS]

The thing I like about the Volt is that the petrol engine is decoupled from the drivetrain (mechanically) so that it doesnt get its primary motive power from the petrol engine, unlike the Pri-arse.

The petrol engine exists to power a gen set to charge the batteries and that's all.

I have not understood why they could not develop and use the motion of the wheels to power the charge of the batteries without the need for an engine.

[seedyrom]

I have not understood why they could not develop and use the motion of the wheels to power the charge of the batteries without the need for an engine.
Yeah. The more you drive, the more power you generate.

I've just finished my perpetual engine aswell

http://www.shivaranjan.com/shivaupload/perpetual/perpetual.jpg

Its not powerful enough to push a car, but I got really good results when I attached it to my push bike.

[VEbudSS]

you for real? thats impressive :yup:

[Big_Valven]

I have not understood why they could not develop and use the motion of the wheels to power the charge of the batteries without the need for an engine.

You're not serious, are you?


Bring it on with 700 Horses

http://jalopnik.com/399098/700hp-lightning-gt-electric-sports-car-goes-200-miles-on-10-minute-charge

Holeeeee shit, I think I am slightly aroused... that thing makes a DB9 look like a Citroen 2CV!!!

[VEbudSS]

You're not serious, are you?



Yes of course im serious! im not saying there would be no engine to power the car... im talking about removing the petrol power from the Hybrid cars and using the motion of the wheels to recharge the battery for the electric engine in a similar fashion to an alternator.

[Jac001]

and using the motion of the wheels to recharge the battery for the electric engine in a similar fashion to an alternator.

That is what currently happens in the prius (and other hybrids) and will happen in the volt.

Its called reganative braking i beleive.

[VEbudSS]

That is what currently happens in the prius (and other hybrids) and will happen in the volt.

Its called reganative braking i beleive.

thats Kinetic energy recovery, Ive driven a prius and its kinda cool seeing the display and where the power is coming from etc but what im wanting is something more direct as i said similar to an alternator. Im not an engineer im not pretending i know my stuff but i thought it may be possible by now.

[aussiev8]

Yes regenerative braking is already used to charge batteries. Unfortunately not enough is saved to fully re-charge the batteries. Problem with friction and other power train losses.

Solar panels that fit on a car are not efficient enough to re-charge the batteries to keep the car going but if you parked in the sunshine for long enough it is possible..

[Jac001]

thats Kinetic energy recovery, Ive driven a prius and its kinda cool seeing the display and where the power is coming from etc but what im wanting is something more direct as i said similar to an alternator. .

I am not sure what you mean by somehting 'more direct'.

This wiki talks about regenative braking and mentions the 'kenetic energy recovery' system also.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_brake

[mangusta]

I think he might be talking about breaking the 2nd law of thermodynamics ;-)

[ti0350]

Yes regenerative braking is already used to charge batteries.

Does that mean we now have an excuse to doing a burnout I'm just charging the battery officer :burnout:

[mangusta]

Does that mean we now have an excuse to doing a burnout I'm just charging the battery officer :burnout:

Only if it's a standstill ;)

[Black AH CDX]

I hope we get the Opel version

http://www.globalmotors.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ampera-8.jpg
http://www.globalmotors.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ampera-7.jpg

http://www.globalmotors.net/2011-opel-ampera-spied-on-a-photo-shoot/

[SHANESVZSS]

i sort of get why car manufactures are wanting to go "green" , i think they are hoping more than anything and being wishfull if they think that a electric car is going to help them or their sales , sales are down because people around the globe are scrared to spend and fear recession!.. if people arnt buying because maybe at this time they cant afford it or just dont think its the rite time then why would Gm or anyother car manufacturer think this would sell??..i may be wrong but thats MY opinion..

[Marco]

Because when the economy picks up again, fuel prices will pick up with it and we'll be back to where we were a year ago - wringing our hands about fuel prices and getting serious about moving away from petrol.

Let's also not forget that even if 10% of people end up unemployed, that's 90% of people who still have a job, and some of those 90% are going to want a new car.

[Jac001]

i sort of get why car manufactures are wanting to go "green" , i think they are hoping more than anything and being wishfull if they think that a electric car is going to help them or their sales , sales are down because people around the globe are scrared to spend and fear recession!.. if people arnt buying because maybe at this time they cant afford it or just dont think its the rite time then why would Gm or anyother car manufacturer think this would sell??..i may be wrong but thats MY opinion..

With concerns of the environmental issues rising people, feel if they buy a car that is electric then they are being more evironmentally responsible.

This is a market that toyota has tapped into very well with its prius. It has also given the company a more environmentally friendly image, than say holden/GM (which are still seeing by the wider public as gas guzzlers).

[Party Pete]

Another take on all of this is that oil prices spiked up on the back of hedge funds buying oil futures hoping to make a lot of money. They lost, the price has now collapsed again and there is no particularly reason to believe that the prices are likely to go that high again for some time. Funny enough this has all happened before and car companies have lost lots of money assuming that economy alone will sell cars. It nearly sent Holden broke in the early 80's. Personally I think any car company which puts all it eggs into high cost and less practical hybrid cars is destined to be sorry.

[joffa]

I often wonder about these 'green' cars. I mean how much more environmentally friendlier are they? You're still pumping petrol into them to keep the generator running, and even when you're not it's plugged into a power point which is powered from a coal power station. Maybe even a nuclear power station in the future.

Sure it might be cheaper for now, but how much greener is it than say a conventional car running on pure ethanol like they do in brazil or wherever it is?

[Jac001]

. Personally I think any car company which puts all it eggs into high cost and less practical hybrid cars is destined to be sorry.

And this is why GM are doing conventional hybrids, (such as the malibu hybrid and 2 mode hybrids) extended electric vehicles (the volt), hydrogen cell program currently running the california , and E85 Flex vehicles.

They are trying to cover all their bases.

Time will tell how well this will work.

[Party Pete]

I agree that they are trying to cover other bases it is more that the Volt is being held out by so many people as the magic pill which will save GM from its woes. Maybe I am just getting old and cynical, but I have seen a few cycles of oil based panic before and I am not convinced that this one will be any different to the previous ones.