Tuesday, 19 January 2010

2011 Chevrolet Volt All Electric UK Version

2010 Chevrolet Volt All Electric UK Version - front view
2010 Chevrolet Volt All Electric UK Version - rear side view
2010 Chevrolet Volt All Electric UK Version - front side view
2010 Chevrolet Volt All Electric UK Version - side view
2010 Chevrolet Volt All Electric UK Version - interior design
Revolutionary Chevrolet Volt, electric cars are going mainstream in the U.S. in sales this year and hits in the UK at the end of 2011. Based on the Vauxhall Astra platform, the Volt is a four-seat hatch, powered by lithium ion batteries can be recharged by plugging into a home, or anywhere else with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine. GM believed that the Volt will be capable of up to 40 miles' range on one charge, although accepting that the use of weight - such as climbing or running at high speed - will decrease.

Although it is not like any other EV, fluctuations in the range is not too important, because the Volt can run with the gasoline engine to make sure there is always a drive to the front wheels. Electric motors rated at 110kW or 150bhp, and provides a healthy 273 pounds of torque, approximately equal to the 2.0-liter diesel. Lithium ion battery pack is a water-cooled and heated. Cooling is very important, because excess heat can kill the cell lithium ion. GM promises will last the life of the battery volts, which is interpreted as 150,000 miles.

Given the battery capacity and the Volt's range, allowing technical specifications for 6000 or fully unload cycles, the events that will ultimately reduce the battery storage capacity to 70 80 percent of what is capable when new.

The most significant point is that the Volt is like a normal hatchback to drive, with significant additional benefits to be very calm.

We had a brief stay in a simple, flat series of tests and found that the Volt bulls, rides and handles in a way very similar to the Chevy Cruze saloon. That means it's oriented more comfortable than the sportier Vauxhall Astra.

Driving the Volt is very simple. With the ignition key, press a starter button and the dash lights and bings into the life, such as a PC. In the center console there PRND voters exactly where the gear-shifter is on the regular cars, and in the footwell two pedals: gas and brake pedals.

Slot shifter into D and Volt drives off with no sign of an engine or motor. Acceleration is similar to the 2.0-liter diesel-powered hatch, with the advantage of linear power delivery, the speed is very well built and supported by the fact that there is no progress gearchanges to interrupt.

To improve performance, there are sports button on the dashboard that increases the flow of electrons out of the battery by 20 percent. And these effects appear, if you can change the turbo on the combustion engine on and off, it would be a bit like this.

As speed increases, the main driver feedback from the tires and suspension. Without a voice in the background engine, tire roar and thump from the suspension bumps took over. Steering is linear and faithful, and cornering is accompanied by body roll. Volt is clear that focused on comfort, rather than sporty handling.

Less impressive is the cabin space. Although this car is based on the Astra platform, the rear legroom was more like that and the Corsa is more headroom as a coupe's than a bar's.

Compared with the nearest competitor, the Toyota Prius, which sits Volt full class size below. This is largely derived from GM's attention has been paid to minimize losses from aerodynamic drag. The Volt has a line of lower roof and to accommodate the battery, the back up slightly compared with the Cruze.

Together, these forces more stretched-out seating position, which ate into the space for the feet. And because the battery is packed into the center tunnel, Volt only two seats in the back.

Our fuel short tests rather difficult to assess, although the dashboard to tell us a bit and drained the battery recharged as we braked. Because the battery is not close to being depleted, the gasoline engine does not cut in. In the context of the £ 5 gallon of gasoline, trip meter dash 963mpg read more than a little exciting.

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