Video: GM shows how 2011 Chevrolet Volt works

If you have been following us for a while you know pretty much all there is to know about the extended-range Chevrolet Volt.

Expected launch for the Volt is end of this year, it has a range of 40 miles (64 km) from a fully charged battery, after that a small 4-cylinder gasoline internal combustion engine creates electricity on-board using a 53 kW (71 hp) generator to extend the Volt’s range to more than 300 miles (483 km).

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Video: Chevrolet Volt hot weather testing at over 200 degrees

Automakers take their future cars to extreme conditions to make sure they will last in different conditions. We have seen prototypes cold weather testing in the Arctic Circle, Southern Europe and California.

General Motors has taken the Volt testing to a new level. The prototype is not in a sunny Calofornia, but in a special room where temperature can go over 200 degrees Fahrenheit (95 Celcius) to see how individual parts act to such extreme conditions.

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Chevrolet Volt-based Saab Fashionista Concept by Mayeul Walser

GM announced on Monday that it will focus on four brands. Unfortunately Saab is not one of the four brands. Very likely Saab will be sold to some Chinese company.

Despite unknown future for Saab, Mayeul Walser, a 4th year design student at Creapole-ESDI has created an interesting concept called Saab Fashionista.

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Video: Production Chevy Volt in motion

2011 Chevy Volt represents a new direction for GM. Once they killed the electric car and now they are back with the Volt.
Even though technically Volt is a hybrid it can use only electric power for up to 40 miles. Electricity is stored in lithium-ion battery. Once the battery is empty Volt’s gasoline engine will work as a generator to power Volt’s electric drive unit.

Below we have the first official video of the production Volt in motion. Enjoy!

Click here to see the video

Power on: GM reveals 2011 Chevy Volt

GM is celebrating its 100th birthday unveiling the production version of the Chevrolet Volt – a vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving, with the extended-range capability of hundreds of additional miles.

“Revealing the production version of the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century,” said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. “The Volt is symbolic of GM’s strong commitment to the future … just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today’s and tomorrow’s energy and environmental challenges.”

Continue to read: Power on: GM reveals 2011 Chevy Volt

Almost look the same: Insight, Volt and Prius!

Honda Insight is a hybrid, so is the Toyota Prius. (note: Toyota is already testing plug-in hybrid in UK).

The upcoming Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in electric car with a range around 40 miles. Even though automakers all plan on building EVs over the next few years Honda does not believe in it.

In a recent interview with Automotive news, Honda R&D chief Masaaki Kato says Honda has no plans to produce an electric car. They will stick to the hybrid at the moment.

Look at the image below to see how similar these three actually are

Concept Volt vs. Production Volt

GM announced today that yesterdays official photos of the Volt were not leaked intentionally. It was not planned and was an accident. We just can’t believe it. It seems that GM is trying to get all the publicity possible.

Reportedly these studio photos were “accidentally” placed on a GM website and then immediately removed when the breach was discovered. How come we have never seen other(boring) model photos placed on their media site accidentally?

Click here to see the Volt concept vs. the actual production model

GM releases new Volt teaser images and a video

Just recently ABC News got a sneek peak at redesigned Chevrolet Volt. Now GM has released two teaser images of the production Volt and also some pictures of the development process. From the teaser image we can see that Volt gets some sort of LED foglamps.

Chevrolet Volt should be available in 2010. It will also be sold in Europe under Opel and Vauxhall.

Click here for the pictures and to see the video of the Volt in the wind tunnel

ABC news gets a sneek peak at redesigned Chevrolet Volt

The electric car that could save GM has been redesigned after it failed wind tunnel testing. GM was expected to keep quiet about the redesign until September, revealing it only to very special GM employees, before finally unveiling it to the public.

Chevrolet Volt should be available in 2010. It will also be sold in Europe and badged as Opel Volt most likely.

ABC news has obtained video of the latest redesign of the Volt, showing the front drivers side quadrant of the car and exposing Volt fans to what will likely be the production design.

Click here to see the ABC news video

Chevrolet Volt Development Charges On

WARREN, Mich. – Engineers at GM’s battery test facilities have developed a new computer algorithm to accelerate durability testing of the advanced lithium-ion batteries needed to power the Chevrolet Volt for up to 40 miles (64 km) of electric-only driving.

This advanced computer program duplicates real-life vehicle speed and cargo-carrying conditions, and compresses 10 years of comprehensive battery testing into the Volt’s brisk development schedule.

Continue to read: Chevrolet Volt Development Charges On