Volt crash safety enhanced

Clearly keen not to put off potential purchasers or existing owners, General Motors has been swift in upgrading the crash performance of its Chevrolet Volt and Vauxhall / Opel Ampera range extenders.



The changes are designed to provide additional protection to the battery pack, in order to prevent a post-impact electrical fire.



They come in response to a crash test that was carried out in the United States by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration back in May 2011. That test caused battery coolant to leak, which in turn resulted in an electrical fire three weeks later. The NHTSA then replicated the situation under laboratory conditions, which caused a battery pack fire six days after.



Included in the modifications are a sensor for the battery coolant reservoir that monitors coolant levels, a tamper-resistant bracket for the reservoir to prevent coolant overfill and additional structural strengthening that should provide extra side-impact protection for the battery pack.

As well as being incorporated into the production process, the enhancements will also be retro-fitted to customers’ cars.



Image © GM Company.



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Holden Volt tech specs

The Holden Volt has been revealed at a media event in Sydney, Australia. Essentially a re-badged version of Chevrolet’s extended range electric vehicle, sales are expected to begin in late 2012.

Estimated range from its lithium-ion battery pack when driving in pure electric mode is a decent 80 km (50 miles). After that, the Volt’s petrol engine kicks in to act as an onboard generator that recharges the batteries and provides power to the electric drive system.



And therein lies the Holden’s USP - its Voltec drivetrain offers the environmental and running cost benefits of an electric car, but without any range anxiety.



Alternatively, the Volt can be recharged using a domestic 240V socket, a process which takes around four hours. So, with the right journey patterns and driving conditions, it should be possible to make the need to refuel with petrol a very rare occurrence.

According to Mike Devereux, Holden Chairman and Managing Director, “Volt is the no compromise electric car. It’s electric when you want it and petrol when you need it.



“It’s among the most technologically advanced cars on the road anywhere in the world and spearheads Holden’s push to become a leader in technology and sustainable motoring. Volt will make driving more economical, more environmentally-friendly and will fundamentally change the way Australia thinks about alternative transport solutions.”

2013 Holden Volt - Technical Specifications
Battery system
Type	Rechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules
Battery	16 kWh lithium-ion
Thermal system	Liquid active thermal control
Cells	288; prismatic
Size / case	1,676 mm-long T-shaped; glass-filled polyester structural composite with aluminium thermal radiation shield and steel
Mass	198.1 kg (436.7 lbs)
Electric driving range	60 - 80 km (37 - 50 miles) depending on temperature, terrain and driving technique
Extended driving range	More than 500 km (310 miles) depending on conditions
Recharge time, using 3 kW recharging station	Approximately 4 hours
Recharge time, using 1.2 kW portable charge cord	Approximately 6 - 10 hours
Electric drive system
Configuration	Front-wheel drive
Motors	Drive motor and generator motor
Transaxle	Voltec electric drive system
Power	148 bhp (111 kW / 150 PS)
Torque	370 Nm (272 lb/ft)
Petrol engine
Type	DOHC in-line four-cylinder
Displacement	1,398 cc
Bore and stroke	73.4 x 82.6 mm
Block material	Cast iron
Cylinder head material	Cast aluminium
Valvetrain	Overhead camshafts; four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust cam phaser
Ignition system	Individual coil-on-plug, cassette type
Fuel delivery	Sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control
Compression ratio	10.5:1
Power	84 bhp (63 kW / 85 PS) @ 4,800 rpm
Maximum engine speed	4,800 rpm
Dimensions
Overall length	4,498 mm (14’ 9”)
Wheelbase	2,685 mm (8’ 9”)
Overall width	1,788 mm (5’ 10”)
Track width front	1,556 mm (5’ 1”)
Track width rear	1,578 mm (5’ 2”)
Height	1,430 mm (4’ 8”)
Weight	1,696 kg (3,739 lbs)

Images © GM Corp.



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Chevrolet Colorado concept

Chevrolet has unveiled a concept version of its next generation Colorado pickup truck, a vehicle that should provide some stiff competition to the forthcoming Ford Ranger.

The public’s first chance to see it will be at this month’s Bangkok International Auto Show, a fitting location given that Thailand is the largest global territory for mid-size pickups, as well as being one of the countries where the Colorado is built.



Under the bonnet of the show truck sits a 2.8 litre turbo diesel engine. A broad torque band is promised from it, but specific output, performance or economy figures haven’t been disclosed yet.

Chevrolet claims that the interior will provide a premium environment. Whether certain features such as the ice-blue lighting make it to production remains to be seen, while others such as the leather trim and 7” LCD display screen will probably be consigned to the Colorado’s options list. The instrument panel has been designed to create a dual-cockpit feel, but the assertion that the instruments are motorcycle-inspired is probably stretching the hyperbole a bit too far.

Sales of the new Colorado are set to begin in Thailand before the end of the year. There’s no word from Chevrolet on whether it’ll make it to Europe, but expect launches in Australia and New Zealand under the Holden brand to replace the existing model sold in those markets.



Images © GM Corp.



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Cruze Hatchback first view

Following the unveiling of the Cruze Hatchback ‘show car’ in Paris last September, Chevrolet has released the first images of the production version that’ll be at Geneva next week.

Apart from some elements that gave the concept a bit more pizzazz - such as the lights and large wheels - not a lot has changed.



Adding a hatch to the existing saloon is bound to extend the Cruze’s appeal, especially in Europe. However, one potential snag for GM could be that the Chevrolet cannibalises sales from its slightly more upmarket cousin, the very, very similar Vauxhall / Opel Astra.



Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback are set to start this summer. Prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed, but a fresh line-up of engines is promised, including a 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) diesel.



The new model is also going to be built in Australia, where it’ll be marketed as the Holden Cruze.



Images © GM Corp.



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Revised Vauxhall VXR8

UK buyers will once again be able to get their hands on the Vauxhall VXR8. Available from next March, this latest version is based on the just-launched E Series 3 GTS model from Holden’s HSV division.

Power comes from GM’s 6.2 litre LS3 V8, which also sees service in the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Corvette LT. In the VXR8, it’s rated at 425 bhp (316 kW / 431 PS) with 550 Nm (405 lb/ft) of torque, which is enough to propel the Vauxhall from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).



Drive is to the rear wheels, although customers can choose whether this goes through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. A mechanical limited slip differential features as standard.

The VXR8 also comes with some trick chassis technology. Magnetic Ride Control has been borrowed from the Corvette ZR1, and it allows for continuously adjustable suspension via magnetic particles in the dampers. Launch Control meanwhile does pretty much as the name suggests. Engaged when the Electronic Stability Control’s Competition Mode is selected, it governs how much torque is delivered to the rear wheels for maximum traction when accelerating away from standstill.



Inside the cabin, the 2011 VXR8 is equipped with leather-trimmed HSV performance seats, which have eight-way electric adjustment. Those of an enthusiastic nature can monitor their progress via the Enhanced Driver Interface. This displays things like G-force, how much the car is drifting and lap times on the dashboard’s five-inch screen. The data can then be downloaded later to let the driver bore their friends with endless analysis and bragging. Handy for track days, though.

Only six dealers have been chosen to sell the VXR8 in the UK, although a further 28 have been authorised to service it. The on the road price, including VAT at 20%, has been set at £49,500 and orders can be placed from later this month.



That’s certainly a lot for a Vauxhall, and it’ll doubtless put some badge snobs off. But that would be missing the point. Similarly-sized V8 sports saloons from the premium manufacturers are much more expensive, with the Jaguar XFR and Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Saloon costing £62,600 and £71,900 respectively. The smaller BMW M3 Saloon is currently listed at £51,805, and it's probably more of a natural competitor to the VXR8 on price and performance, if not on size.