Chevrolet Volt Test Video Reveals 'Mountain Mode,' ICE Fuel Economy and More
By John O'Dell August 24, 2010
OK Volt fans and info seekers, here's some stuff you've been waiting for.
A new video on the GM-sponsored AOL Autos.com Translogic "program" puts a Chevy Volt through its paces on GM's Milford Proving Grounds test track and reveals, among other things, the workings of the extended range plug-in's "mountain mode" that enables a driver to order up an increase in the amount of energy stored in the battery pack to ensure plenty of juice while climbing step hills and mountains.
The video also shows that an average driver can get from stop to 60 mpg in around 8.5 seconds and - in this case at least - can drive at a pretty decent clip for 43.7 miles on battery power alone.
Coupled with 16.1 miles with the gasoline engine-generator engaged, the Volt posted fuel economy of 101 mpg over the entire 59.8-mile test drive (not including the gasoline-gallon equivalent of the electricity consumed).
The video doesn't remark on the fuel economy achieved in the engine-generator segment alone, but simple math shows that if it consumed .59 gallons in 16.1 miles, it was achieving 27.3 mpg. But that's under fairly strenuous test-track driving conditions.
Tone things down for "normal" driving and we expect that Volt will deliver the the 30-34 mpg we've always estimated for combined city-highway driving once the engine-generator goes to work..
If the numbers are close to representative of the Volt's real-world abilities, that means the car is likely coming with an 8- to 10-gallon fuel tank (GM's been adamant about not disclosing the Volt's fuel capacity).
The "mountain mode," which hasn't been discussed much by GM engineers, is one of several operating modes - economy, normal and sport are others - that have been programmed into the Volt's power system control computer.
It tells the on-board battery charging system to light up the engine-generator (or range extender, as GM likes to call the small four-cylinder engine) for a few miles to push more energy into the battery pack- unless it is already fully charged - to provide a cushion for hill climbing.
It also requires the driver to manually engage the mode. Don St. John, the Chevrolet vehicle controls manager on the video, suggests that be done "about 10 miles out" while still driving on the flats.
Here's the entire 8-minute, 19-second AOL video (click anywhere on the picture to get it rolling), which also includes discussion of battery charging and smart phone integration with the Volt's on-board battery information system.
LEAVE A COMMENT
There is some useful info in the video, but it was bit too much like a company promo video to give it credibility.
I tend not to believe people who find no flaws.
Some comments like remarking on the elbow room in the front without noting the intrusion of the 'transmission tunnel' in the rear strained credulity.
They seem to have put together a well thought out package though, with lively acceleration.
If any electric vehicle has a chance, this concept is a great start. I wish other car makers came out with their own version of range-extended PHEV's.
When my Lexus dies (250k+ miles and going strong), then I'll be in the market for something like the Volt.
Right now, though, the most economical car is one that is paid off, and mechanically sound, getting at least mileage in the mid-20's.
Paying an extra $25,000 difference between a paid-off car and a new car, buys a LOT of gas for the old car.... about 200,000+ miles worth of use on the old car. (not including maintenance, insurance, and new battery pack costs)
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