GM confirms Orlando for U.S., looking at making it a Voltec PHEV
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chevrolet Orlando
In many ways, the future of the Voltec drivetrain is the future of GM. A big success with this plug-in architecture will go a long way to giving the company enough money to pay the American citizens back for that loan we gave them. The big question is how many vehicles will end up with the big battery pack and the plug? With a production Cadillac Converj not a guarantee, the recent confirmation that the Chevy Orlando will be coming to the U.S. as a 2011 model (after those plans were scrapped in September) got us wondering if the Orlando will go plug. According to Motor Authority, GM vice president of global program management, Jon Lauckner, said that since, "the Chevrolet Orlando is built on the same basic vehicle architecture and component set as the Chevrolet Volt" ... adding the Voltec powertrain is "certainly something we can take a look at." Would be nice to see, no?
Gallery: Chevrolet Orlando
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ziv 6:42PM (1/26/2009)
The Orlandos increased weight, (vs. the Volt) would make the city AER a bit lower, since regenerative braking only returns about 3/4 (?) of the energy expended accelerating, but the aero might not take too much of a hit. So maybe the city AER would around 36 and the Hwy around 32. Both will drop by 10-20% if you need AC or heat, (unless you use a diesel heater like the Chevy s-10 EV) but those numbers are doable for a lot of families. Get two or more cars using Voltec and the price starts to drop for everyone.
Plenty of room for more types of BEV's, PHEV's, and ER-EV's out there. I don't like GM's designation of E-REV, I think the emphasis should be on the EV. Not like they are going to change now, tho...
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EJinID 6:53PM (1/26/2009)
Personally, I think this is a smart move for GM. It would make a great replacement for my Pacifica that I just sold because it would only seat 6. Seating for 7 is a minimum in my situation.
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Matt 7:25PM (1/26/2009)
Are you kidding? These things would sell like hot cakes! Think of all the yuppie moms that want to go green but also want to carry the soccer team every other week. This is their ride... ok, I'd drive one too :)
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oldraven 8:32AM (1/27/2009)
I called this the day they debuted the Orlando in Paris. The underhood configuration matched the Volt, it had the same styling as the Volt, with black glass running from the roof into the rear window, and had a photo-voltaic roof. It was pretty obvious, really.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/10/02/paris-2008-chevrolet-orlando-mpv-debuts/
(2nd comment)
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The Other Bob 8:34AM (1/27/2009)
"A big success with this plug-in architecture will go a long way to giving the company enough money to pay the American citizens back for that loan we gave them."
No it won't. The PHEV's will take many, many years and additional battery brekathroughs before they break even, let alone stop losing the makers $10k or more a copy.
Like Toyota, they are building them not for profit, but becuase it's the new halo car.
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BGJ 10:24AM (1/27/2009)
Sebastion when are you going to read the press release? NOWHERE does it say it is coming to the US. Even if it is (very likely), I highly doubt it would be a 2011 model year here. I don't even think it's debuting in Europe until late 2010!
And if a "voltec" (whatever the marketing name is now) version is made, say goodbye to seating 7. Seating 5 at best.
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oldraven 1:38PM (1/27/2009)
It's a CUV. With the high floor and seating position, no seat room needs to be sacrificed.
Rick 2:00PM (1/27/2009)
Did you follow the article link? It's the first sentence.
"General Motors has confirmed that it will bring a production version of last year’s Chevrolet Orlando concept vehicle to the United States in 2011,"
Anyways, I hope they round the straight lines some, I'm not a fan of the squared look.
BGJ 7:34PM (1/27/2009)
I read all the links. No official GM press release or spokesperson said this. Motor Authority claims this to be so but offers no source. All the quotes of GM officials say they are "considering".
Look it's all but certain the Orlando is coming to the US. Just don't claim anything "official".
And yes, seating capacity WILL be reduced. It shares the same underbody as the Cruze & upcoming Astra so there is no magical hidden compartment to stuff a huge battery in. The Volt had to go 2+2 seating, so will the voltec Orlando. It may even have to lose the 3rd row, which is pointless in a "CUV" this small anyway. Or it may lose the 3rd row and keep the 3-wide seating the in 2nd row.
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