The Volt's gas engine is capable of mechanically driving the front wheels. His statement in the video is incorrect. The Volt's gas engine does not just charge the battery, it can be connected to the front wheels mechanically, just like any other hybrid. So the Chevy Volt is a Plugin Hybrid, not that that's a bad thing, but is it not really a pure electric vehicle with a range extending gas engine.
Not a bad car if you want to only have one vehicle, but I like my Honda Insight better.
@proteusn7xr You are wrong, the engine is connected to a generator and not a gearbox (transmission for you colonials) The engine is capable of driving wheels but that is in other GM vehicles not the Volt/Ampera. It started life as a 3 cylinder 1000cc engine in the Opel Corsa it was later given an extra cylinder making it a 1200cc and then increased capacity which gives us the lovely 1400cc. It also picked up variable valve timing along the way.
@Skoenmaker Everyone, just Google "chevy volt drivetrain". The gas engine normally drives the generator, but in some cases, it can bypass the generator to assist in driving the wheels directly. GM admits this. GM did this because it is more efficient. No shame in it, it makes perfect sense. This makes it very similar to other hybrids and/or plugin hybrids, but the Volt is not a pure electric vehicle with a range extending gas engine. It is a plugin hybrid with a larger battery.
@Skoenmaker Lots of info on this debate online folks. This car is no more electric than the Prius. That being said, I like the way the car looks, better than the Prius IMHO. Being a former auto mechanic who specialized in rebuilding automatic transmissions, all of the clutches in this design will mean lots of expensive maintenance down the road because clutches wear out and have to be replaced. The Prius drivetrain will require far less maintenance. No clutches in the Prius.
Volt is a type of hybrid, just not a Prius type of hybrid. And yes, sorry, but the gas engine does contribute to the propulsion under certain circumstances (good for GM because they did it to improve efficiency!).
The Volt gets 40 Miles on pure Battery Electric. Push Button Start. Touch Screen Navigational system with Voice recognition. Blue-tooth Technology. Key-less entry. Voltec Drive Train.
Audio sucks...think about using a clip on mic
TheGizmodude 3 weeks ago
@TheGizmodude Actually we've upgraded our entire camera.
rumblestripradio 3 weeks ago
does it drive?
hep2jive 2 months ago
@hep2jive It drives very well. It drives like a "normal" car. It drives like a Cruze, just feels a bit heavier.
rumblestripradio 2 months ago
The Volt's gas engine is capable of mechanically driving the front wheels. His statement in the video is incorrect. The Volt's gas engine does not just charge the battery, it can be connected to the front wheels mechanically, just like any other hybrid. So the Chevy Volt is a Plugin Hybrid, not that that's a bad thing, but is it not really a pure electric vehicle with a range extending gas engine.
Not a bad car if you want to only have one vehicle, but I like my Honda Insight better.
proteusn7xr 4 months ago
@proteusn7xr You are wrong, the engine is connected to a generator and not a gearbox (transmission for you colonials) The engine is capable of driving wheels but that is in other GM vehicles not the Volt/Ampera. It started life as a 3 cylinder 1000cc engine in the Opel Corsa it was later given an extra cylinder making it a 1200cc and then increased capacity which gives us the lovely 1400cc. It also picked up variable valve timing along the way.
Skoenmaker 2 months ago
@Skoenmaker The truth Scott, is all over the web, much of it directly from GM, notably, Andrew Farah, Chief Engineer on the project.
proteus7cell 2 months ago
@Skoenmaker Everyone, just Google "chevy volt drivetrain". The gas engine normally drives the generator, but in some cases, it can bypass the generator to assist in driving the wheels directly. GM admits this. GM did this because it is more efficient. No shame in it, it makes perfect sense. This makes it very similar to other hybrids and/or plugin hybrids, but the Volt is not a pure electric vehicle with a range extending gas engine. It is a plugin hybrid with a larger battery.
proteus7cell 2 months ago
@Skoenmaker Everyone, read this:
engadget.com/2010/10/11/shocker-chevy-says-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels-its/
proteus7cell 2 months ago
@Skoenmaker Lots of info on this debate online folks. This car is no more electric than the Prius. That being said, I like the way the car looks, better than the Prius IMHO. Being a former auto mechanic who specialized in rebuilding automatic transmissions, all of the clutches in this design will mean lots of expensive maintenance down the road because clutches wear out and have to be replaced. The Prius drivetrain will require far less maintenance. No clutches in the Prius.
proteus7cell 2 months ago
nice video
ZE0N777 6 months ago
Very thorough review. I'm finally getting my volt next month after waiting 10 months.....
MrEnergyCzar 6 months ago 9
@MrEnergyCzar Glad you enjoyed it. You will love your Volt, it is one of the most impressive cars I've driven in the last few years.
rumblestripradio 6 months ago
Nice job, Scott.
quikflag 7 months ago
Volt is a type of hybrid, just not a Prius type of hybrid. And yes, sorry, but the gas engine does contribute to the propulsion under certain circumstances (good for GM because they did it to improve efficiency!).
tangoblonde 7 months ago
The Volt gets 40 Miles on pure Battery Electric. Push Button Start. Touch Screen Navigational system with Voice recognition. Blue-tooth Technology. Key-less entry. Voltec Drive Train.
tnguyen318 6 months ago
that was one of them most informative explanation i have seen thus far! Great vid.
bajabusta 8 months ago