I’m on board with alternative fuel technologies like hybrids and electric vehicles because of their impact in ways like national security and practical matters like less spent on gas. However, there has to be room for performance in there. So in that regard, there hasn’t been much promising news.
Tesla? Definitely. They’ve shown us electric technology can be crazy fast and a whole lot of fun. Is the Prius fun to drive though? Not really. Chevrolet may be thinking more along the lines of enthusiasts with new Volt.
As I’ve said before, it’s not the technology that isn’t fun for performance reasons; it’s the way it’s used that makes the difference. How about handling? GM’s chief engineer was recently asked how the Volt compares to “rivals” the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight at an event in Detroit.
He said “Our chassis is much more sporty than either of the other vehicles.” Not sure how that will translate to the actual vehicle, but a good comment to be hearing nontheless. Will the Volt be fun to drive? Seems like GM is trying to make it so. We’ll only be able to find out for sure once we can drive it ourselves.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
At this stage of the game, “sporty” and “hybrid” are mutually exclusive. By it’s very nature, sport/spirited driving consumes more energy – hybrid or conventional. If you want to build a sporty hybrid, then don’t make it look anything like a Prius (which we all know it does). It’s hard to believe the Volt is being designed to be the best when it’s not a stretch to think that GM is using the Prius as a guide (like everyone else, for that matter).
I think GM shouldn’t be so much focused on competing with the Prius, as they’re going to lose. You can’t take a bankrupt juggernaut known for everything that is wrong with the American car industry, and suddenly set your sights on the pinnacle of efficient Japanese precision and expect to pull a hail Mary. If all you’re doing is throwing the ball as hard as you can from your own end zone time and again, you’re just not going to win. Period.
If GM was smart, they’d be looking into a completely different market. There’s ONLY ONE vehicle that the people who enjoy driving “sporty” vehicles would consider buying – if it wasn’t so expensive. It’s the Tesla. It’s not even a hybrid. Pure, electric power (derived from the local, coal-fired generating station). GM should be taking something like the now defunct Solstice/Sky platform and building their hybrid on that. Give it a sub-frame full of lithium-ion and drop a fat motor in the trunk which has room for little else. Keep the direct injected turbo-4 up front and the rear wheel drive. Keep it a convertible. It’s small, light, powerful, and fun to drive. Hybridize that, keep the price under $40K, and watch people buy them hand over fist.
Just my random thoughts on the subject.
July 4th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I think that would be an interesting idea as sort of a green performance halo. I know Cadillac is planning a vehicle based on the Voltec but I doubt it will be similar to what you’re saying. Yeah, the Volt and Prius are similar. They both are being designed for the best possible efficiency and that leads them to the same basic shape.
I do think it’s possible for the Volt to find success though due to it’s unique powertrain. We’ll see how it fares in the market. I definitely wouldn’t expect it to be a performance stunner though.