Ampera and Chevrolet Volt, Ampera/Volt sweeps

-
TECHNICAL DATA

Body: 5-door hatchback
Size: 4.50 X 1.79 X 1.43 m. Wheelbase: 2.69 m.
Transmission: Front wheel drive. Automatic clutch. Single gear.
Tyres/wheels: 215/55-17 (7.0 X 17)
Engine: Electric AC syncronous motor.
Power - torque: 111 kW (151 hp) - 273 Nm
Maximum speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration: 160 km/h - 9 s.

The joint candidacy of Opel/Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt, with 330 points, has been distinctly preferred by CotY 2012 Jury members, who put Volkswagen Up! second with 281 points and Ford Focus third, with 256.

Volt/Ampera offer is a mature product, after years of development and perfectioning by General Motors, and the first example of an electric vehicle with extended range. Others will come along this path. The concept, addressed to the fears of potential customers in front of an incipient recharging net of electricity for vehicles, implies energy generated on board, to continue the journey, once exhausted the rechargeable batteries. In the case of the Ampera/Volt, that means a 1.4 petrol engine working in semi-stationary regime. The balance between electric drive range and combustion-engine help takes in account the usually short daily displacements of the average car user. The electrical autonomy is rated at around 60 km with normal driving, then it comes the 1.4 to the rescue.

Viability of such approach, in a time when recharging possibilities on the road are limited, has been positively assessed by Jury members, who see in the Volt/Ampera a product better suited to consumers' needs than the conventional electric car. By the way one of those preceded the Opel/Chevrolet in the CotY title. In the early phase of distribution in Europe, Opel has reckoned to have around 7,000 firm orders of this model, in spite of a high price, somewhat moderated by public subsidies.

Some stringent crash test in USA recorded heat control problems in the battery pack, and the possibility of a fire. GM has thoroughly addressed the matter and applied new solutions, with better protection of the batteries and more efficient cooling systems, so customers can be assured.

Comments

  1. Pat HattMarch 12, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    Still no sold on the whole re-charge thing, but they sound to be getting better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ShawMarch 12, 2012 at 2:42 PM

    I hope I can get an electric car one day

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andy SantanaMarch 12, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    Que lindo este carro,
    adorei.
    beijos

    ReplyDelete
  4. CopyboyMarch 12, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    cool car. Made you new blog of the day.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A Beer for the ShowerMarch 12, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Call me a gas hog, but until they can make this thing sound like my Mustang, I won't drive one. A car that makes no noise is just so unnatural to me. Do not want.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tenment FunsterMarch 12, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Hot one!

    ReplyDelete
  7. TeddiMarch 12, 2012 at 11:54 PM

    well heat control problems are NOT good. especially if you live in a place like texas, where you have cars overheating easily from the hot weather. i also question the high price. so i say they need to keep trying.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMarch 13, 2012 at 4:17 AM

    I want one!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 13, 2012 at 5:12 AM

    I like it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Vacuum EnthusiastMarch 13, 2012 at 6:09 AM

    Sounds like a good investment.

    ReplyDelete
  11. JimMarch 13, 2012 at 6:42 AM

    I don't like the looks of it, but at least its an electric car

    ReplyDelete
  12. GMarch 13, 2012 at 7:16 AM

    Can you use mp3's to change the car sound?
    I'd like mine to sound like the car from the Anthill Mob

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lord PhrozenMarch 13, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    Wow! This car looks even better. I love the color red.

    ReplyDelete
  14. duffboiMarch 13, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    Maybe some day. Hope these work out for the adopters out there now.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ed PilollaMarch 15, 2012 at 2:53 AM

    looks good. i wonder how much.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 Must-Have Apps of Samsung Galaxy Note

-
Image
The Samsung Galaxy Note has quite a few pre-installed apps from the Android Market, as well as many other standard Android applications. Apps are quick to install and that mean you may run out of memory very quickly. At some point you may ask yourself how to remove apps from your Samsung note. This article explains how to delete them, and then gives you a list of ten fantastic, must-have apps for your Samsung Galaxy Note. They are in no particular order, but you should try each one at least once, and if you do not like it--delete it! How to delete apps First, you press a button on your Samsung to knock off the screensaver. You hit the "menu button" and you come to the application menu. Here click on "Edit" for your desired app, and choose to delete the app. Note that pre-installed apps cannot be removed so easily. You can now uninstall the app if you wish. To confirm the deletion, press the "Yes" button. Now here are a few apps you should really try o
Read more

Breast Cancer Symptoms

-
Image
In the initial stages, the breast cancer has no obvious symptoms and it vary in individuals from lumps to swelling and changes in the skin. A lump too small which is felt does not cause any unusual changes and it is unnoticed. However, in many cases appearance of new lump or a mass is the first sign noticed. The lump may be hard to touch with uneven edges and they are painless. But there are cases the lump is very tender, round edged and soft. More lumps are painless. Breast Cancer Symptoms are: Swelling of part of the breast or all parts Skin irritation in the breast. Nipple pain, Nipple begins to turn inward (inverted) slowly Breast pain. Appearances of changes in the nipple like redness, scaly formation, thickening of the nipple. A nipple discharge (bloody or clear fluid) Changes in the skin of the breast like thickening. Arm pit with lymph nodes or a mass or lump It is essential to note that these symptoms always an indication for a breast cancer. But in so
Read more

Non-Surgical Medical Treatments for Acne Scars Using Fraxel Laser Treatments

-
Image
By Scott Humphrey Acne scars affect millions of people and can be a source for a lot of frustration for teenagers and adults alike. Acne is something we all have to deal with during our teenage years, and sometimes through adulthood. Acne scars are caused by the inflammatory swelling of follicles in the dermis, which rupture and leave an indentation resulting in a scar. There are varying treatments for this, from chemical peels to topical creams, and laser treatments. Fraxel is a non-ablative soft laser treatment that can be used on the face. Fraxel is mainly known for its use as an anti-aging treatment, but the laser is used to smooth skin and improve tone and texture. Instead of one solid laser beam, the Fraxel laser is separated into multiple small segmented beams that can treat many areas in the same region at once. This is well suited for the treatment of acne scars as they usually occur in clusters on the face. The mini laser beams can treat these specific areas wit
Read more