[bobchr]

Raymondjram ,

No I do not expect Ford to do that but their current offering on the 2014 MKZ hybrid they claim to be getting 45 mpg combined. I would suspect a 6" stretched version of this car to only lose 10% efficiency due to increased weight. A damn sight better than the 23/18 mpg hwy/city I used to get in the mini stretch.

 

[Sean11]

Nice cab!

Now if our cab companies could make a cab all electric or an EREV that would be great!

But I doubt New York will buy one of these at all but a Chevy MPV5 I'll have to agree we need those on the road and I could see it as a great competitor against the Highlander, Pilot, and of course the Nissan Leaf.

The Future Is Electric Not Hydrogen!

 

[DaveG]

bobchr : Let’s see this in volume and at reasonable cost before we declare this.
The Ford F150 is the highest volume vehicle in the US, and by this fall it will have an aluminum body. This is not an extra cost option. All Ford F150s will be aluminum. If that isn't volume, I don't know what is.

Also from the article:
"Ford has ambitious plans over the next three years to use aluminum not only for the F-150 line, but also the Heavy Duty F-Series trucks--and also the sport-utility vehicles derived from the F-150, the Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator."

In other words, Ford is moving to aluminum in a big way. It's a bold move.

 

[Noel Park]

Last time I half jokingly wondered why the Brits were reinventing the wheel instead of just going with Volts or Amperas. But I finally have to admit that the Volt doesn't have enough room in the back to be a viable taxi.

I'm not too crazy abut the styling, preferring the old traditional London cab. Even so, it's a pretty neat vehicle. All credit to the Brits for encouraging home grown solutions and buying same. I wish that we were as smart.

Prii are taking over as cabs here too. Who could blame the cabbies at $3.50/gallon. But the suckers are made in Japan. So, unlike our British cousins, we shoot ourselves in the feet again.

 

[Noel Park]

Dave G : In other words, Ford is moving to aluminum in a big way. It’s a bold move.
#21

Yeah, you've got to hand it to them. +1

It's going to be a shock to the auto body and insurance industries though. Currently shops that work on aluminum cars, Audis in particular, get TWICE the hourly labor rate paid for working on conventional cars.

 

[Jeff Cobb]

Got a nice trade-out for the Cruze diesel today. This is the very first loan for this car from this regional fleet.

Anyone have any specific questions about it?

​

 

[nasaman]

Jeff Cobb : Got a nice trade-out for the Cruze diesel today. This is the very first loan for this car from this regional fleet.

Anyone have any specific questions about it?

I'd like to see a detailed feature-by-feature comparison between the ELR and the Volt, as well as a subjective ELR/Volt comparison in comfort, performance & handling. Thanks in advance, Jeff!

 

[Noel Park]

Jeff Cobb : Anyone have any specific questions about it?
#24

How do you like the paddle shifter(s) for the "L" range? It would seem a lot handier than the Volt "shifter".

 

[Raymondjram]

`Noel Park : #21


Yeah, you’ve got to hand it to them.+1


It’s going to be a shock to the auto body and insurance industries though.Currently shops that work on aluminum cars, Audis in particular, get TWICE the hourly labor rate paid for working on conventional cars.
Aluminum is softer than steel, unless it is mixed with other elements and becomes an alloy. If the vehicle body have this stronger aluminum, the auto shops will have a very hard time straightening dents. The next solution would be to use a "space frame" (such as what the Pontiac Fiero had) out of aluminum alloy, and put composite plastic panels over it for the body. This may be what the new Corvette Stingray has.

The direct benefit will be the absence of body rust forever. A side benefit would be the availability to change the body color by swapping panels.

Raymond

 

[James]

Really cool taxis.

They're built rugged for lots of use, and while homely, they definitely have tons of
space inside. If the price was right and the driver's seat on the left, it could be a
very practical vehicle for private consumers here. It'd be nice to know what the
range and performance parameters are.

CHARGE!,

James

 

[DaveG]

Jeff Cobb : Got a nice trade-out for the Cruze diesel today. This is the very first loan for this car from this regional fleet.
Anyone have any specific questions about it?

I'm most interested in the ride. How quiet is it? How does the suspension compare with the Volt? How does it accelerate?

If the ride is really special, they may have something.

 

[James]

Jeff Cobb :
Got a nice trade-out for the Cruze diesel today. This is the very first loan for this car from this regional fleet.


Anyone have any specific questions about it?


http://gm-volt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ELR.jpg
A few questions.

Who'll fit in the back seat? How much storage is in the rear area? I haven't seen anybody snap a photo of the trunk.
How nifty is the power cup holder, and how long until you're tired of it ( or tired showing it off
to riders )?
Is there a notable improvement in how it handles corners vs. Volt? - say a bit above the posted
legal speed limit?
What is your actual experienced AER difference between Volt and ELR?
Did you enjoy using the adjustable regen with the steering wheel buttons?
After driving the car for awhile, can you see this car costing the equivalent of two Volts?

RECHARGE!,

James

 

[Bower]

Really cool taxis.

 

[Islander2]

Cool Taxi. Smart application.

An EREV would be a good fit for taxis in the USA and other countries. Also, an EREV for US mail delivery trucks too, etc, etc...

Hello GM... knock, knock. Is anyone home?!!! Don't think anyone is home.