New Video: Volt driving Death Valley

[srschrier]

An Edmunds video (October 11, 2009) of the Volt driving Death Valley:

http://blogs.insideline.com/straight....photopanel..5

[Geronimo]

Originally Posted by srschrier

An Edmunds video (October 11, 2009) of the Volt driving Death Valley:

http://blogs.insideline.com/straight....photopanel..5

Thanks, good link.

I'd like to see a video of the Volt going 100 mph. They always seem to be cruising along at 35 mph in the videos I've seen...

[Andy0x1]

Originally Posted by Geronimo

Thanks, good link.

I'd like to see a video of the Volt going 100 mph. They always seem to be cruising along at 35 mph in the videos I've seen...

Someone was telling me the other day (I'm not sure if there's any trusth behind it) but here, I'll just quote him directly:

"...Also, recently GM was going to do a photo shoot and press release on the Volt showing it coming down a typical suburban street. #1) it quit half way down the street. #2) when they did get it running hours later, it could only go 5mph. They told the press to take the videos but play them in a faster speed. I hope they..."

Understanding that this is a pre-prodution model, it really doesn't mean much, but I could see how this could bring bad PR.

[DaV8or]

Originally Posted by Geronimo

Thanks, good link.

I'd like to see a video of the Volt going 100 mph. They always seem to be cruising along at 35 mph in the videos I've seen...

Agreed! Or at least 70mph. Creeping along hypermiling style isn't that impressive at all. Want to create a buzz about the Volt? When the press is there with the cameras like Edmunds was, try showing off a burn out or at least a spirited take off like they just robbed the store instead of driving it like Grandma on one of her confused days.

[Geronimo]

Originally Posted by Andy0x1

Someone was telling me the other day (I'm not sure if there's any trusth behind it) but here, I'll just quote him directly:

"...Also, recently GM was going to do a photo shoot and press release on the Volt showing it coming down a typical suburban street. #1) it quit half way down the street. #2) when they did get it running hours later, it could only go 5mph. They told the press to take the videos but play them in a faster speed. I hope they..."

Understanding that this is a pre-prodution model, it really doesn't mean much, but I could see how this could bring bad PR.

That sounds like the PBS Frontline shoot, which was before Nov 9, 2007. In this video, you see the old, unaerodynamic prototype conking out at about 6:43:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...at/view/7.html

I say "before Nov 9, 2007' because they talk about this event in the dated interview with Beth Lowry, General Motors' vice president for environment, energy and safety policy:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...ws/lowery.html

OK. I just want it clear. A lot of people have that question. ... I went to see the Volt on display. It was running at about 10 miles per hour. Your representative there suggested that if we wanted to, we could speed up the tape, which I didn't think was reasonable. And then, after about 15 minutes, it conked out. It wasn't a confidence builder. Where are you now on that car?

Well, the Chevy Volt was introduced last January as a concept vehicle. So when we introduced that, we introduced the E-Flex system and the design, which is a beautifully designed vehicle. We have a production team in place to really advance the production of the vehicle, as well as working on the battery. So we're in the process of testing lithium-ion batteries that could be used for a plug-in capability at this point in time. And we're hoping, in the spring, to have additional vehicles for driving.

Hopefully, that someone meant two years ago as "recently".
I don't think the Volts stall at all this late in the game.

[Geronimo]

Originally Posted by DaV8or

Agreed! Or at least 70mph. Creeping along hypermiling style isn't that impressive at all. Want to create a buzz about the Volt? When the press is there with the cameras like Edmunds was, try showing off a burn out or at least a spirited take off like they just robbed the store instead of driving it like Grandma on one of her confused days.

Here, I found a video where it looks like the Volt is going maybe 50 mph It was April 29, 2009, in one of the Volt mules.
About 1:23 into the video (Edmunds InsideLine):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeHYZz9LzHY

Yeah, those confused Grandma videos make me cringe...

[davidhunternyc@gmail.com]

Did you see that interior? Is that from 2009 or 1989? It already looks old. What's up GM?

[DaV8or]

I suddenly realized why the Volt is only seen driving slowly and meekly. It has On Star and their bosses are watching! Can't wait for the day when On Star automatically notifies the highway patrol when you exceed the speed limit and then the fine is paid automatically with an electronic transfer from your bank account to the state's. Oh, and your insurance company will be notified too. Instant rate increase, or in the case of habitual abusers, policy termination. All of this done super fast and efficient with notification done on the dashboard.

[Andy0x1]

Probably woudln't be the worst thing! It might bring light to how absurd some of the limits already are.

I hate how limits are set artificially low 'but not imposed' - it leaves it up to how the officer feels about "YOU" speeding.

e.g. Parking lots 5mph

Who really drives 5mph or below in a parking lot?

Better yet, who really drives faster then feels comfortable?

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25mph on a four lane road.

Is this to keep people at 30?

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How many of you have ever gotten a ticket for going 31mph in a 30? None? Could you have? Yes.... I would bet that 99% of drivers would go at least 1mph over the speed limit at some point on each and every commute.

Limits should be LIMITS not "oh 34 in a 30 is fine.... er wait, your going 41 in a 30, that's 11 over....

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Then there's the driver with the ZR-1 with 6 piston brakes and wide sticky tires that can stop from 60mph in under 100 feet.

A Toyota Camery does this in 126-136 feet.

Does it matter in the eyes of the law? no.

Speed limits are more about fundraising then safety.

[OPEC SUCKS]

In the Edmunds video, towards the end, there is a clearly marked 45 mph sign, so no speeding here. Also, a speeding ticket in a National Park can get serious quickly, in the worst way. It's federal ticket, and can come back to bite you in the worst way. So, they chose their photo op location carefully. I had to stop the video twice to hear ........ "up Towns pass". Towns Pass is 4,056 feet MSL. But the drive up to it starts near sea level, something to think about if they are trying to heat/evaluate the batteries. It looks like a 4,000 foot climb, straight shot.

I would like to see a video of the VOLT jousting in Bay Area commuter traffic.........