Lutz: Chevy Orlando coming, could get Voltec powertrain
Chevrolet Orlando concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Before GM's financial woes got so out-of-hand that the giant automaker was forced to declare bankruptcy, plans were in place to bring the Orlando, a new seven-passenger multi-purpose vehicle, to the U.S. market in 2011. First seen at the Paris Motor Show last year, the Orlando concept was a modern take on the nearly defunct but extremely useful wagon shape that seemed destined to replace the retro-tastic HHR in GM's lineup. Now that GM's back on track, it would seem the previously stalled Orlando project is moving forward as well.
Since the Chevy Orlando would be built atop the same Delta platform as the upcoming Chevy Cruze and Volt, might it be possible we see an extended-range electric people mover from The General wrapped in a family-friendly tall wagon bodystyle? According to Bob Lutz, the answer is a definite maybe. Responding to just such a question from Lyle Dennis over at GM-Volt.com, Lutz admitted, "We are actually studying the adaptation of Volt technology to the upcoming Orlando."
Naturally, spreading the extremely high development cost of the Volt's high-tech powertrain and lithium ion battery packs to multiple models is certainly an attractive proposition for GM. Placing that Voltec drivetrain in the Orlando makes a lot of sense, as it would seemingly allow GM to offer a fuel-saving vehicle with excellent mass-market appeal.
[Source: GM-Volt.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pederb 4:12PM (8/03/2009)
Another great looking car from GM :-)
Do they never learn
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Matt 6:07PM (8/03/2009)
Sarcasm? I actually like this one.
Bip-D-Bo 9:05AM (8/04/2009)
This is a great looking vehicle. I'd love to drive a mini, but I have a wife, 3 kids, and windsurfing equipment, so we have an Escort for me and a Windstar for the family. The Windstar is practical and reliable, but it's a monster. Consistent with the 7 passenger market, it's ugly, drives like a bus and gulps gas. I would love to have something more stylish and efficient.
evolknuj 1:29PM (8/04/2009)
There seems to be a lot of negativity in some of these comments, along the lines of
It is impossible to make this SUV efficient
or
Drag = bad for voltec
Weight = bad for voltec
or
nobody drives their minivans with the kids on the freeway (sarcasm)
What options _are_ available, or soon to be available, for someone who does need seating for 6 and highway speeds? Is it possible to make a six-seater with less drag and weight than a minivan or SUV? Here are the ones I know about:
Highlander 4cylinder - 20/27
Mazda 5 - 21/27
RAV4 - 22/28
Honda Freed - not in USA
Compare those numbers against 17/25 for the Honda Oddessy, which is larger and a thousand pounds heavier, and it hardly a huge difference (maybe 20% improvement in city, 10% improvement on highway).
What I want is a compact six seater like the Freed that would hopefully get 30mpg+ combined on the US test cycle. There just doesn't seem to be one (available in the USA). Are there any coming?
skierpage 4:50PM (8/04/2009)
@evolknuj,
You're out of luck. Fat tall cars weigh a lot and have poor aerodynamics.
If you do a lot of city driving, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid's 27 mpg city is impressive, but it only get 25 hwy.
Even the European "Multi Purpose Vehicle" competitors for the Mazda 5 with small diesels don't do that well.
Mike!!ekiM 4:38PM (8/03/2009)
Yes, this would be an interesting product.
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augustus 4:48PM (8/03/2009)
Does the Voltec powertrain have enough oomph to power a 7 passenger crossover with a high drag coefficient? I strongly doubt that this will work. Maybe it could power the crossover if the battery was constantly charge depleting or if it had a larger extender motor/generator (which would mean a different powertrain).
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letstakeawalk 5:33PM (8/03/2009)
Electric motors have a torque where it counts - 0rpm. Having 7-passenger vs. the Volt's 5-passenger capacity means there will be less storage space for luggage, but that's the trade-off on most MPVs anyway...
Great idea to grow the platform and spread the costs, and an attractive styling exercise.
augustus 6:22PM (8/03/2009)
Drag will kill it. The battery isn't going to last unless they intend for it to never be used on freeways or it is always depleting the charge (and performance is going to suck when the battery is dry). Look at the changes in the Volt profile as they went from concept car to production model- aerodynamics matter.
GM needs two voltec powertrains: one for cars (e.g. volt, the Cadillac roadster) and one for trucks/SUVs.
Matt 9:16AM (8/04/2009)
It is highly unlikely they will place the exact same powertrain in the Orlando. It even states this in the article, "We are actually studying the ADAPTATION of Volt technology to the upcoming Orlando."
See my comment below, and try not to be wrong when you're being condescending.
Thanks
ziv 1:35PM (8/17/2009)
This is the perfect way to leverage the investment GM has made in ER-EV tech. The ER-EV Orlando will be lucky to do 0-60 in 10 seconds, while the Volt is said to do it in 8.5 seconds, but that won't matter nearly as much as the regular 16 kWh battery pack being able to push the Orlando ER-EV 34 or 35 miles all electric in town, as it probably will be able to do.
That is a fairly slick mini-van, but fairly slick for a mini van is still fairly brick like. But minivans are used mostly in town where the aerodynamics are less important, and the regenerative braking will be crucial. My fear is that the Orlando won't be able to meet the 10 years/150,000 mile mandate.
It would probably work a lot better if they beef up the battery pack to 20 kWh, but time will tell. All in all, GM is surprisingly starting to sound like they want to survive.
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Matt 5:47PM (8/03/2009)
SCORE!!!
Now, if they could make an S-10 4x4 on the tech they'll have the perfect small truck, too.
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augustus 6:26PM (8/03/2009)
Yeah because we all know that nobody actually uses their truck bed for carrying things. Just like we know that nobody drives their minivans with the kids on the freeway.
This thread is an expedition to fantasy land until there is an electric powertrain that outperforms the Volt.
Drag = bad for voltec
Weight = bad for voltec
Matt 9:10AM (8/04/2009)
augustus,
Do you think they're just going to slap a new body on the Volt or something? Clearly they will scale the system up a little. Weight and drag are always a consideration, and will obviously be accounted for, but that doesn't mean the same technology can not be implemented. Way to reply though, good effort: C-
axio.matik 11:03AM (8/04/2009)
augustus - What an idiotic comment. Guess what?
Drag = bad for gas mileage in a standard car
Weight = bad for gas mileage in a standard car
Of course a 7-passenger mpv will get worse mileage than a 5-passenger sedan. That doesn't mean that applying the voltec powertrain won't result in substantial improvements in efficiency over a standard powertrain. Even if they used the exact same system out of the Volt, it's not like it will be unable to move under its own power. Maybe it will only be able to go 25 miles on electric only. How much gas would you save if everyday, the first 25 miles you drove were gas free? I would still be able to reduce my gasoline consumption by 90% under that limit.
ShaunneyCakes 6:50PM (8/03/2009)
I really like this car. GM is really doing a good job these days. Add the Voltec Drivetrain and I am sold.
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skierpage 8:01PM (8/03/2009)
It looks like every other SUV. with some Dodge echoes, and the usual blacked-out strip to hide the fact that it's a fat tall car with crap aerodynamics and excessive weight.
I wish GM well, but my understanding is GM's hybrid SUVs aren't selling very well. Some people willing to pay the premium for a more green car actually need an SUV, but most have wised up and realize a less wasteful Prius-sized or smaller car is all they need.
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Chris 8:05PM (8/03/2009)
Another $30k something SUV.
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KM 9:52PM (8/03/2009)
I'll take a $15k Mahindra SUV in diesel instead thanks! :p
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rar 8:34AM (8/04/2009)
KM, 15k for a Mahindra SUV in diesel? Do you know that the Mahindra truck is going to start at a base, two wheel drive, regular cab between 21k and 24k? The Mahindra SUV will start at least 25k or more. Dream on.