pow
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Everything posted by pow
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Also, I'll be test driving a Model S on Monday. Any "interactive review" pre-questions? If you do, I'll keep them in mind during the drive.
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They have that, too: http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger Personally I don't see the appeal of battery swapping. It exists just so Tesla can say that "refueling" with their car (90 seconds) is quicker than with an ICE car (4 minutes). I'd rather charge for free and spend the 20 minutes on a coffee and restroom break. After 3 hours of driving, you'd want to stretch out anyway.
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Yup, Spark EV is the way to go: http://autos.yahoo.com/news/first-drive-chevrolet-spark-ev-shocks-us-220022460.html First drive: The Chevrolet Spark EV shocks us ConsumerReports.org - First drive: The Chevrolet Spark EV shocks us The latest Chevrolet Spark is the most recent EV to attempt to shatter electric cars' reputation as anemic and inept. And it succeeds, being the best version of this small hatchback. Unlike the Mitsubishi i, this is no glorified golf cart. The Spark EV is General Motors' entry in the crucial California market to meet that state's Zero Emissions Vehicle requirement. But it's also one of the most enjoyable electric cars we've driven and a compelling overall package.
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The EV model is the version to get if one must get a Spark. With 400 lb-ft of torque and zero NVH from the motor, it addresses the majority of the problems you brought up. And with its SAE DC combo plug, it takes 20 minutes to charge to 80% from empty. Unlike LEAF, the battery is liquid cooled and designed to withstand daily fast-charging. Of course, if used as a commuter car, it's still most convenient to charge nightly at home--much better than waiting at a gas station after a long day of work.
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It's actually the Quattro, but it does have quattro all-wheel drive.
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It has a planetary gearset that blends power from two motors and, if needed, the engine. It's similar to the power-split devices found in all Toyota and Ford hybrids that effectively act as a continuously variable transmission--the primary difference being that the main electric motor drives the sun gear rather than the ring gear. As such, power still has to go through a transmission (the planetary gearset), which can only handle so much power. http://www.motortrend.com/features/editorial/1010_unbolting_the_chevy_volt_to_see_how_it_ticks/ A full battery electric vehicle (BEV) like Model S uses a one-speed direct drive, which does not impose the same limitations.
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It should be interesting to see how the next Volt will evolve. The beauty of electric motors is that their max potential power output has no bearing on efficiency. A 149-hp Volt and a 362-hp Model S, when driven the same way, use the same amount of energy (95 MPGe). The same can't be said with a gasoline engine. A 400-hp 650i will use much more fuel than a 140-hp Cruze under the same pokey EPA test cycle--19 MPG versus 31 MPG respectively. Although unlikely (because of FWD and transmission limitations), it would be nice to see 400-hp from the next-gen Volt. Unlike with an ICE, that would be a fairly simple and low cost affair for GM--no need to add cylinders, turbos, etc.
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That is interesting and makes me wish reviews would post more comparison numbers on interior sizing as I would not have guessed that it is Near Tahoe or Yukon interior space. Enclave has more cargo space than Tahoe with either the seats up or down. The Lambdas' third row, while not as comfy as a proper minivan's, actually fits adult humans--unlike the Tahoe's.
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Chevrolet News:Chevrolet Volt Gets A Heap Of Incentives To Move Stock
pow replied to William Maley's topic in Chevrolet
Consumers are used to seeing big discounts on American cars. Open a local newspaper, and you'll see ads screaming THOUSANDS OFF FOUR AT THIS PRICE BUY NOW. So I wonder whether this will have much effect on Volt sales, or whether Nissan's strategy to lower the MSRP makes more sense. IMO, a price drop leaves a more lasting impression on the consumer and speaks to the evolution and maturity of the technology. If it were widely known that the net MSRP were $27,495, rather than $39,995 before tax credits, Volt would appear more accessible to more individuals. -
Impala 3.6?
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I like those cubbies.... looking at how narrow the center console area is, I can see how most cars in this class would benefit from a column shift and dash handbrake release, free up center console space... The 2013 had an electronic parking brake and a wider center console. I actually prefer this new arrangement; the old one seemed odd. Those slots would be perfect for inductive phone charging. And if they fly out during a crash, no worries--there's OnStar.
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Can't wait. The Model S is selling really well, and I can imagine the demand for a smaller, cheaper Tesla to be even higher.
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W220 is crap. I had the misfortune of having to drive a 2003 S430. Awful suspension, lousy interior, and the worst driving position I've had to deal with. It's like driving a school bus that you can't fit in or see out of.
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The E350 Bluetech is currently running incentives close to $10k off sticker!? What is going on there? Yup, apparently nobody wants diesel passenger cars. This is the deal my folks got December of last year: ... (Sent you a PM, Drew. Anyone else who wants the details can PM me.)
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If you're leasing, I'd take a look at the E250 BlueTEC (4MATIC only for 2014). Not sure what your timeframe is, but they're supposed to come out in a few months. If their residuals are anywhere as good as the E350 BlueTEC's (74% for 2 year, 10k mi/yr lease), and the dealer is generous with discounts, then you should be able to lease one for no more than a normal family sedan.
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What about Volt? $39,995 MSRP - $3,600 dealer discount - $3,000 GM rebate - $7,500 federal tax credit - $3,000 PA state rebate (As of May 1, 2013, 422 rebates remain at $3,000) $22,895 effective cost + 0% financing for 48 months + 3 cents per mile on electricity And those are just private costs. Greater EV adoption will also generate knowledge spillovers (stimulates further innovation), network externalities (as more people drive EVs and need charging infrastructure, the more valuable this infrastructure becomes), and economies of scale (cheaper EVs for all).
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I'd rather have a better car with less equipment than a worse car with tons of options. And in the case of the 200, it's arguably the worst car in its class, and the equipment you're getting isn't very valuable. S-Trim consists of black paint on the grill, headlights, and wheels (costs Chrysler $10 in paint, maybe); embroidery on the front headrests ($10); silver stitching instead of black ($5); perforated steering wheel leather instead of smooth ($10); and a red "S" badge on the trunklid ($3). It may have leather, but it's very cheap leather that will show creases and wrinkles after one year. Best Buy sells remote start for $100, and UConnect navigation is slow. If I had my heart set on a 200, I'd save $4,500 and get this Touring S four-banger instead: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Touring-New-2-4L-CD-BLACK-PREMIUM-CLOTH-BUCKET-SEATS-Front-Wheel-Drive-ABS-A-C-/160872415575?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2574be4157#ht_7421wt_1085
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GMC News: GMC Announces The Specs For The 4.3L EcoTec V6
pow replied to William Maley's topic in GMC Trucks
Most of the electronics share the same modules (e.g., ABS, TC, and ESC or parking sensors, cameras, OnStar, and nav) and don't weigh very much. Some even help to save weight, like electronic power steering, which replaces a heavy hydraulic pump. I would explain the increase in weight, without a corresponding increase in size, through the over-engineering of components like the frame, powertrain, suspension, body, brakes, etc. Each new generation of trucks brings higher towing capacities (as much a function of the chassis as the powertrain) and quicker acceleration. A Silverado 2500HD weighs 1,000 lbs more than a 1500 of the same size. Perhaps the light-duty trucks of today are as capable as the HD trucks of yesteryear. Another thing is 4WD. It seems like more and more buyers are going for 4WD, and that usually adds 300+ lbs. -
Sounds like a lot of work. Why not retrofit the weak Fisker motors with one from Tesla? If the 4,700 lb Model S can do 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, then I imagine a 5,300 lb Tesla-powered Karma wouldn't be far off... maybe 4.5 seconds?
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GMC News: GMC Announces The Specs For The 4.3L EcoTec V6
pow replied to William Maley's topic in GMC Trucks
Wow, that's impressive torque for a naturally aspirated V6. -
While the numbers might say the audi and bmw are better, real world shows they are equal to the SRX. I work with a number of people who have all 3 of these CUV's and they are not seeing better gas mileage compared to the SRX. The numbers say the audi and bmw are better, real world shows they are better than the SRX. I work with a number of people who have all 3 of these CUV's and they are all seeing better gas mileage compared to the SRX.
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I don't get this truck. It's neither sporty nor comfortable. If I wanted something plush and spacious, I'd get an RX450h, and if I wanted good driving dynamics, I'd get an X3 or Q5. And 16 MPG city is inexcusable for an errand runner like this. The BMW and Audi have 25% better fuel economy around town, while the Lexus hybrid beats it by 85% (though more like 50% in the real world).
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It is unlikely that any of these cars mentioned can be had for under $10,000 with fewer than 50,000 miles, especially the diesels, over the next 4 years.
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Lambroghini. Nice.
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The Roadster came about when there were no electric cars on the market. Despite being based on a Lotus, it offered something new at that time--namely, advanced battery technology and the idea of a high-performance EV--helping to pave the way for a mass-produced Tesla sedan that's outselling ICE luxury cars like the S-Class and 7-series. Detroit Electric arrives at a time when major OEMs have already been working on EVs for a few years, and by stuffing off-the-shelf technology into an existing vehicle, they're bringing nothing new to the table.
