Comments on: Chevrolet Volt To Be Sportier Than Rivals http://www.carthrottle.com/chevrolet-volt-to-be-sportier-than-rivals/ Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:25:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Tony http://www.carthrottle.com/chevrolet-volt-to-be-sportier-than-rivals/comment-page-1/#comment-3992 Tony Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:52:59 +0000 http://www.carthrottle.com/?p=6833#comment-3992 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. 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.

]]> By: Brian DR1665 http://www.carthrottle.com/chevrolet-volt-to-be-sportier-than-rivals/comment-page-1/#comment-3982 Brian DR1665 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:24:05 +0000 http://www.carthrottle.com/?p=6833#comment-3982 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. 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.

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