Maximum Bob talks Volt mules and hybrid Camaros
Our friend Ray from Jalopnik happened to be in Southern California the other day when he got sit in with a bunch of bloggers having a chat with "Maximum" Bob Lutz. The ever quotable Mr. Lutz expounded on a variety of topics including the ongoing development of a car that debuted as a concept earlier this year. In the earliest stages of product development before parts are available to build full prototypes, they test various components like powertrains and suspensions on heavily modified existing cars that they call mules. There are apparently already some mules running with engine-generator and electric motor destined for the Volt. Lutz has now revealed the first mules that will include battery packs will be based on current generation Malibu body shells. Although the Malibu is larger than the the Volt is destined to be, it will be easier to package the hardware into one of these than the smaller Cobalt. If all goes according to plan (when was the last time that actually happened?), we should get a chance to drive these mules early next spring.
With a variety of rear-drive vehicles in the pipeline for the next few years starting with the G8 and Camaro, the question of 35 mpg CAFE standards was bound to come up. The key here is "The Senate proposition of 35 mpg is impossible based on what the market's looking for." That's not to say they can't meet the standard technically. It's just really hard to do with the kind of vehicles that people actually want to buy at current fuel prices. One possible solution to the conundrum of meeting market demands at the same time as the regulations is the possibility of putting the Two-Mode hybrid system into vehicles like the Camaro. What a novel idea, I wish we had thought of that.
[Source: Jalopnik]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony Belding 6:55PM (9/20/2007)
"The Senate proposition of 35 mpg is impossible based on what the market's looking for."
He says that as if it's a bad thing. Maybe he doesn't understand the purpose of CAFE. . . The ultimate purpose of CAFE is to *force* the public to drive more efficient cars than they would choose to drive if left to their own opinions. (Or indeed, more efficient cars than they have been choosing up to now.)
The car makers are wringing their hands and whining that CAFE might result in some people who want musclecars or big SUVs having to buy sensible cars instead. They are crying because CAFE might work as intended!
A higher tax on gasoline would arguably be a better way of achieving that goal. However. . . With the way gasoline prices are going, it's probably moot. The free market is getting ready to rewrite the way people shop for cars. The Congress couldn't stop the change that's coming even if they wanted to. (But I'm sure they'll be happy to take credit for it.)
I do think it's odd to hear talk of GM letting outsiders drive their Volt "mules" next spring. When was the last time you got to drive a GM (or Ford, or Toyota, or Honda, or Chrysler, or VW) test mule? My guess would be never. That sort of thing simply isn't done.
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Dave 9:29PM (9/20/2007)
"When was the last time you got to drive a GM (or Ford, or Toyota, or Honda, or Chrysler, or VW) test mule? My guess would be never."
Heres a test drive of GM's HCCI development mules:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/08/26/abg-tech-analysis-and-driving-impression-gms-hcci-engine/
I also recall the press being allowed to drive several of GM's fuel cell development mules.
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