Chevy Volt coming to Calgary this summer as part of GM national tour

[Markham]

Hey guys

http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2011/05/chevy-volt-coming-to-calgary-this-summer-as-part-of-gm-national-tour/

Markham

[Jeremiah]

HA GUYS!



General Motors has said its future is riding on the Chevy Volt. That sort of desperate talk isn’t as common as it used to be, thanks in large part to the manufacturing giant’s government bailout and corporate restructuring, but GM isn’t taking any chances.



Calgarians will be able test drive the Chevy volt during Stampede festivities

The Volt will be front and centre in the car maker’s annual test drive PR blitz. The lucky winner of the National Test Drive Tour grand prize will receive a GM vehicle of their choice. Spokesman Jason Easton says the tour will arrive in Calgary in time for Stampede. He claims the tour is the largest of its kind in Canada, with over 20,000 people having participated last year.

Canadian cities for the launch were chosen based on market size and GM’s best guess about a warm customer reception. In addition to the Volt, the tour will include Chevy Cruze, Buick Regal, Corvette and the Cadillac CTS.

“We want to provide a hassle-free environment where our customers have the opportunity to get into our vehicles. More and more customers do their research online, if you’re not on their shopping list they may never see you,” he said.

Volts being loaded for delivery from the Michigan plant where they are built

“This is one of our tactics to get out and show customers our vehicles, because they’ve gone through such a transformation in the past few years.”

This year every participant is automatically entered in the “Win the Ride, Live the Life” contest, where one lucky contestant will win a Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac vehicle of their choice, in addition to an exclusive VIP trip for two. Participant in the test drive will also receive a $10 gas gift card and have the opportunity to win one of twelve monthly prizes, an iPod touch.

Dealers began taking orders for the Volt in selected cities in early May. Vancouver and Victoria are the only cities in Western Canada on the list. Easton says there is no specific date for when Calgary dealers will welcome their first shipment, but Spring 2012 is a likely target.

Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal, and Quebec City were also included in the May roll out.

GM Electric Charging Station

One might guess that climate would be a criterion for choosing best markets for a (mostly) electric car, especially given Calgary’s harsh winters of late, but Easton says that is not the case. Volt owners can expect 40 to 80 kilometres from a full battery charge regardless of temperature. Driving habits rather than climate do more to influence battery longevity, he said.

A Volt feature sure to appeal to gadget freaks (and Calgarians when the thermometer drops) is the iPhone app that allows the car to be warmed up or cooled down prior to driving. But that’s not all the app can do. Easton says owners can remotely unlock doors, monitor battery charge, check the electric and total range, and even send a text or email if the car is unplugged.

There was some controversy whether the Volt would be a true electric car or just another hybrid. Statements by GM officials had some automotive journalists convinced the engine would regularly provide power to the wheels. Easton says that’s not true, at least not entirely.

The Volt’s propulsion system is all electric most of the time. The 1.4L DOHC engine is used to power the 54 kW generator motor, which provides juice to the 111 kW drive motor. However, when in Extended Range Mode and travelling over 120 kph the engine engages the planetary gears and becomes part of the drivetrain.

Easton says engineers discovered that this design provides a seven per cent increase in efficiency over all electric at high speeds only. For those purists who insist their Volt be electric only, keep it under 120 and the engine won’t kick in.

The Volt recharges in about eight hours on a 120 volt circuit, but only three if owners have 240 volts in their garage or want to install a charging station.

Chevy Volt propulsion unit

Key Volt technologies include:

– Touch-control switch system on the center console

– High-resolution, seven-inch, full-color LCD reconfigurable Driver Information Center display. The display shows electric-only range, fuel economy, extended-range, trip information, tire pressure information and other key vehicle messages

– High-resolution, seven-inch, full-color, center stack-mounted touch screen display that serves as the interface for infotainment and cabin climate controls. An Efficiency (Leaf) switch accesses energy usage, power flow and charging screens – all easy to use and understand

– Charge modes are customizable according to need and electricity rates for efficient programming and lower costs

– A key fob that allows drivers to remotely start the vehicle and precondition the cabin based on outside temperatures

[JRSC00LUDE]

Looking forward to seeing them dead all over deerfoot during traffic jams/winter.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by JRSC00LUDE
Looking forward to seeing them dead all over deerfoot during traffic jams/winter.

They still have a gas engine. Won't happen any more than regular retards running out of gas.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Saw it at the auto show. I knew more about it than the two Chev guys hanging around it.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[MGCM]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Saw it at the auto show. I knew more about it than the two Chev guys hanging around it.

lol that's no surprise