Driven

Text: Anniruddha Jain
	The Volt is arguably General Motors’ most important product launch, in the last decade. Tagged as the world’s first mass produced electric vehicle, the Volt is a technology showcase for GM. According to the company, consumer research showed that the average daily commute, for most Americans, is between 30-40 miles (50-65 km). With that in mind, the Volt uses a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and electric drive unit that provides it with a pure electric range of about 35 miles (55 km). The onboard 1.4 litre petrol engine acts as a generator and extends the range of kilometres covered, up to an additional 344 miles (550 km), on a full tank of fuel, by operating the vehicle’s electric drive system, until the car can be plugged in and recharged or refuelled. The Volt’s battery consists of a 5.5-foot, 435-pound (198kg) T-shaped, 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that supplies energy to an advanced 111kW (149bhp) electric drive unit, to propel the vehicle. Unlike hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, that use a battery to supplement the regular engine, the Volt is unique in that it can be run as a pure battery powered vehicle, for an average of 50 kilometres. So, in theory, if you drive less than 50 kilometres and are then able to plug in your Volt to recharge, you would never really have to use the gasoline engine! Going by today’s electricity prices it costs about $1.50 (Rs.70) a day to charge the Volt, whereas it costs about $4.50 (R200) a gallon worth of petrol in a highly fuel efficient car to drive the same distance. So, it’s cheap to run, yet offers enough range to be used for long trips. But, is the Volt good enough to be your primary vehicle?
	The answer in brief is yes! Having tested the Volt, I have to admit that I am impressed with the vehicle’s drivability, efficiency and its looks. The Volt has bold, sleek lines that give it a sporty stance. With its short overhangs, a sculpted belt line and unique silhouette, the Volt is a good looking car. According to General Motors, every major element of the Volt was designed and analysed for efficiency – including its highly aerodynamic exterior, lightweight wheels, specially designed tyres and an energy-saving stereo system. The Volt’s rounded and flush front fascia, tapered corners and grille enable the air to move easily around the car, to reduce drag. In the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler control air flow. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass also helps reduce turbulence and drag. On the inside, the Volt has plenty of space and has ample head and legroom for rear passengers. The rear seats fold down, which enhances the practicality and load carrying ability of the Volt. The Volt has two seven-inch, high resolution full colour screens. One is a reconfigurable graphic cluster display and the other, in the centre stack, features a touch screen display, touch-control switches and an integrated shifter. Get into the driver’s seat, press the power button and the Volt’s digital instrument cluster lights up, like a video game console. The start-up process is accompanied by a whoosh like sound that gives the driver a sense of being in the Starship Enterprise. Since there is no engine noise, the start-up sound-and-light show is the only indication that the Volt is ready to be driven.
	Select Drive on the automatic transmission and the Volt glides silently forward. On the road, the Volt’s immediate and substantial low-speed torque delivery is impressive. The Volt delivers its torque with an immediacy that conventional engines are hard pressed to match. The 368Nm of low-speed torque produced by the electric drive takes the Volt from 0-100km/h in less than 9 seconds and gives it a top speed of 160km/h. The Volt has a rack mounted electric power steering system that provides a good steering feel. The ride is comfortable; however, the Volt doesn’t like to be pushed hard round the corners. The limiting factor seems to be the tyres, as they’re specially designed to offer lower rolling resistance, rather than outright grip. The Volt’s brakes work well and feature an electro-hydraulic regenerative brake system that captures energy, for transfer, back to the battery.
	Once the battery is discharged, the petrol motor switches on, without any adverse impact on performance. On highway speeds, the noise of the engine is negligible; however, it is a lot more pronounced at low speeds. Driving on power generated from the petrol engine obviously reduces the efficiency of the Volt. Driven on petrol, the Volt averages about 17.5km/l. Charging the Volt is a straight-forward process, you simply plug it into any wall mounted power source and the batteries recharge. The vehicle is completely rechargeable, in about four hours, using a 240V outlet and 10-12 hours in a 120V outlet. Once the vehicle is plugged in, owners can schedule either immediate or delayed charges, even coordinating charging, according to departure time, or when electricity rates are lower. Owners can also manage and monitor the Volt remotely, via computer or smart phone application. At about $40,000 (R18 lakhs), the Volt isn’t cheap in the US market and that really is the biggest issue with the vehicle. Until the cost of these batteries don’t drop significantly, vehicles like the Volt will cater to a small segment of affluent, environmentally conscious consumers, rather than the mass market. The Volt in itself is a brilliant product though and GM certainly deserves props for its development and execution.
	Electric Drive 111kW drive motor / 54kW generator motor / Voltec Electric Drive System Battery Type 16kWh Lithium ion Power 150bhp Torque 370Nm Engine (Power Generator) 1,398cc / 4 cylinders / 16 Valves / DOHC Fuel Petrol Power 84bhp @ 4800 Acceleration 0-100km/h – 8.5 seconds