[bruce g]

There are so many organisations focusing their efforts for fruition in the 2010-2012 period.
For example new refineries in Saudi Arabia are to come on stream about then.
I wonder if sweet crude shortages have been predicted for a while(in secrecy) and oil price instability is the norm until the sour crude refineries become common or we get off the addiction to gas.
I do not believe that sour crude is short and Im guessing supplies will go on for another thirty years on a plateau until they finally decline. (Im an Oil Drum reader)

 

[john1701a1]

>> Get your facts right before you make reckless, irresponsible comments!

The comment was correct, size cannot be increased. Being reckless is disregarding the point of the post... RPM limitations of the PSD connections. What are the tolerances?

You stated enough horsepower was available. Ok. Now address why the current maximum is only 30 MPH. What is the reason(s)?

Look at how many errors are routinely posted about how Prius operates. If you want to avoid problems & confusion, share the details you know. Getting the facts right goes both ways.

 

[nasaman]

100 john1701a .......
You said, "...the current maximum is only 30 MPH", not me.

My information is based on close contacts with several GM people responsible for the Plug-in Vue development, and 30 mph is simply NOT a limitation of the design! As I said in post #94, the Vue 2 Mode transmission includes TWO oil-cooled electric motors of 74HP (55KW) each (or 148HP total) and is designed to operate at hwy speeds of well over 100MPH. What don't you understand about this?!?

 

[john1701a1]

>> 30 mph is simply NOT a limitation of the design!

No one said it was; however, it is the maximum currently available. GM could offer faster, but doesn't. There's a big difference between DESIGN and configuration OFFERED.

Why is that so hard to understand?

 

[john1701a1]

It all boils down to the claims of Two-Mode being ultimately superior. If so, then it should be able to compete with Camry-Hybrid and Fusion-Hybrid head on.

Why are there no plans to offer a FULL hybrid midsize sedan?

Waiting until Volt 2.0 is scaled up doesn't make any sense. That's what, 5 years from now?

 

[dagwood55]

"In addition, the Vue Green Line 2 Mode’s 3.6L VVT V-6 engine with direct injection technology ensures there are no trade-offs between performance and fuel economy. Acceleration time from 0-60 is expected to be around 7.3 seconds, and the maximum towing load will be 3,500 pounds (1588 kg). "

A V-6 is not going to offer the same level of economy as an I4, which is why people buy hybrids. But an I-4 AND a pair of electric motors would pull pretty well, so why is a V-6 necessary?

And I don't believe I have ever seen a Vue tow anything, anyway.

I do not understand Chevy marketing.

 

[bruce g]

dagwood55, #104
I can only assume the configuration reflects the lack of battery range.
What a hopeless mess!

 

[Tagamet]

Just read every post in this thread. At least the Boussard Fusion Reactor info was fun.
Be well,
A cranky Tag

 

[BillR]

#101 nasaman,

It seems that some believe that just because the Tahoe/Yukon hybrids go up to 30 mph in electric-only mode, that the same will be true for the much smaller Vue. Obviously, they are trying to apply the principles of another hybrid system to the GM hybrids. My understanding is that the Tahoe/Yukon could go more than 30 mph in electric-only mode, but as you have mentioned, this puts a large demand on the battery.

With a larger battery pack (like the Volt's) and the 2-mode system, I see a great deal of potential. It only takes 30 hp to move the Tahoe down the road at 60 mph, so it is even less for the Vue. With the proper gearing, etc. the plug-in Vue could easily cover the speed ranges most of us travel at, however, for towing and hill climbing, the engine would probably have to kick-in to provide supplemental power.

Here is an interesting website from one of our posters:

http://john1701a.com/

Where he states:

"I bought a Classic Prius (hybrid-electric, fuel-efficient, super-ultra-low-emission vehicle) back on 9/9/2000 and drove it in Minnesota until I replaced it on 10/23/2003 with a HSD Prius (which is even cleaner and more efficient). And after all that time of Prius ownership (7 years, 9 months, and 18 days), I'm still loving every minute of it!"

Interesting, but instead of being out driving "and loving every minute of it", he prefers to come to this website and post negative comments. Makes you wonder why he is so concerned, doesn't it?

 

[Tagamet]

BillR,
I'd visited John1719a's Shrine of St. Prius months ago when he showed up. If the Volt didn't come out on time, I was thinking of making a pilrgimage there.
I'll bet that that last question you posted is one of those rhetorical thingies.
Be well,
Tag

 

[john1701a1]

>> he prefers to come to this website

With all the incorrect information being posted routinely about the various hybrid systems, especially the configuration in Prius, wouldn't you participate too? After all, that isn't the only thing I do anyway.

$4 gas is here now.

The time available for development has already expired. Volt is fantastic for meeting the 2020 efficiency mandate. But what will people buy in the meantime? 60 million new vehicles each year worldwide have to use something more advanced than only an engine.

Smog & Carbon emission improvements cannot wait any longer either.

What are your priorities?

 

[nasaman]

I just spoke with a local Saturn Dealer who said they will NOT be allowed to add anything to the sticker price of the VUE 2 Mode Plug-in or to the Flextreme E-REV Plug-in. Unless this changes, which he says is very unlikely, it’s GREAT NEWS!

PS: Saturn’s Flextreme will have virtually the same drivetrain as a Volt

 

[Noel Park]

#107 BillR & #108 Tagamet:

I have followed john1701a's comments over the months. I have found them to be useful, thought provoking, and literate, as I have found yours.

I recall that Tagamet said something very wise just today or yesterday about devoting our energy to trying to help to get the Volt on the road, and not diffusing it into political and other fringe arguments. I agreed then, and I agree now.

Let's lay off of each other as much as possible and work together to push GM into changing its ways before it's too late.

 

[Jake]

If I can't get a small SUV with AWD, I might as well just get a station wagon. Besides visibility, why would anyone spring for a FWD (or RWD) SUV that is equaled or surpassed by other body styles in terms of cargo-carrying capacity? I know AWD hurts fuel economy, but personally I would have a hard time buying an SUV without it. That's just me though.

 

[BillR]

"What are your priorities?"

In no particular order, my priorities are saving money, saving the environment, and helping to make America stronger.

So how do I accomplish that personally? With increasing oil prices, I have burned more and more wood (my house has oil heat). I am currently installing a state-of-the-art wood gasification boiler in my home, that should displace 90% of my heating oil usage (over 1000 gallons). This reduces criteria pollutants (CO, NOx, VOC's), and uses renewable fuel instead of oil (carbon neutral). Also, when I buy wood, I support my local economy instead of sending dollars out of the country.

Although I view hybrids as a step in the right direction, they still rely on oil products for 100% of their energy. I see the Volt as a leap in the right direction, as most people will likely see their gasoline consumption drop by a factor of 5 or more. Again, like using wood, with the Volt we are reverting to domestic sources of energy for our transportation needs. And the Volt will be produced in America, so I will again support the American economy with the purchase of an American vehicle.

Beyond my personal efforts, my professional work also lies in the field of energy. See one of my following posts in the forum section on US CO2 emissions:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143&page=2

So while vehicles like the Volt will shift our transportation energy needs from oil to electricity, the electric grid will also need to become cleaner and more efficient. I am actively working on advanced technologies that will significantly reduce carbon emissions from the power generation sector.

 

[Vinny]

why isn't anyone commenting on AFS Trinity that put an electric motor in a VUE and claim 150 mpg efficiencies (based on daily under 40 mile driving during the week and higher milage on the weekends)??? does GM already already have that type of capability? If not why aren't they talking to these guys???

http://www.afstrinity.com/index.htm

 

[Jeff M]

Vinny, please read my post #68 above about why claims like 150 mpg are meaningless. With the right data you could make the claim the Prius gets 200 mpg.

Or just read right from AFS's own website.... http://www.afstrinity.com/faq.htm#mileage

As that link says... mpg reverts to the host vehicles mpg when it's not running on the battery