Drew Dowdell

Let me bold it for you since you missed it in my original post.

Have to see the interior before we pass judgement and I need clarification on the 4-cylinder.... is it the same one the Sebring has now or is it a new or heavily modified engine?

I like it.... this is not a knock. To me it says "What if Chrysler refreshed the 9-3?"

Folks, I'm looking at running a cleanup on the forums. The plan is to delete any thread that has one post and zero replies and isn't a pinned thread. This will happen in most forums except the sales ticker threads or any other forum that jumps out at me as needing to be archived. This will reduce many/most people's post counts. I know some of you are more concerned than others with this. Objections? Comments? Concerns?

I highly doubt the economics of the Oldsmobile Curved Dash were particularly favorable either.

coming out the exhaust?

Voltgate: Manufactured Outrage Yesterday the automotive press' world exploded over a small, inconsequential, technical detail in the Chevrolet Volt's powertrain that increases energy and fuel efficiency by about 15%. This detail caused the likes of Edmunds, Jalopnik, and Popular Mechanics to go so far as to accuse GM of lying about the Volt not being a hybrid. I've already explained the technical reasons behind why those publications are wrong in yesterday's article Volt: Still a not Hybrid... no lie! What bothered me most about these accusations is how quickly they started. Follow the jump to read more: Voltgate: Manufactured Outrage

Well one of the limiting factors is the size of the regenerator. It's 55kw... it's only going to put out so much energy at a set RPM. Charging the batteries faster may be possible, but not without heat concerns. Yes I know there may be further developments in the future... but I don't think you'll be seeing a Firmware update for the Volts being produced today.

The reason they keep the 30% reserve at the bottom end is they always want the reserve power for passing, rapid acceleration, or heavy hill climbing. The reason they don't try to charge it over 80% is because it just isn't fuel efficient to do so and it's also better for battery longevity (as opposed to charge life). Li-Ion batteries just last longer if you don't always recharge them to full.

Voltgate: Manufactured Outrage October 12, 2010 - Drew Dowdell Yesterday the automotive press' world exploded over a small, inconsequential, technical detail in the Chevrolet Volt's powertrain that increases energy and fuel efficiency by about 15%. This detail caused the likes of Edmunds, Jalopnik, and Popular Mechanics to go so far as to accuse GM of lying about the Volt not being a hybrid. I've already explained the technical reasons behind why those publications are wrong in yesterday's article Volt: Still a not Hybrid... no lie! I have to give some props to TheCarConnection.com for being a fellow voice of reason in this flap. What bothered me most about these accusations is how quickly they started. The tweets and editorials started pouring in, in the early hours of Monday morning. Now I can't claim that Cheers and Gears has the access to GM Communications and GM Engineers that the above mentioned publications have, but I was still able to talk to the Volt's powertrain Chief Engineer about an hour after sending a request to do so. If someone relied solely on what was being published about the Volt yesterday, it's quite understandable why someone would be confused (and somewhat dazed by the intensity of discussion) about the Volt's technical details. However simply talking with a Volt engineer and studying the diagrams will bring you to a conclusion completely opposite of the "GM LIED!" editorials. After I concluded my interview with Pam Fletcher, the Volt's Chief Powertrain Engineer, the first thing that came to mind was how much "Voltgate" reminded me of GM's "Loangate" from April 2010. There was an absolute rush to judgment by the press (and some members of Congress) that GM lied about without taking any time to understand what General Motors was saying or even what they were required by the terms of the loan to do. But why take the time to understand either of these issues? Sober, sensible commentary takes time and there is web traffic to drive. Besides, how can the general public resist clicking on a link shouting "GM LIED!"? Back then, I maintained that the press and the shouting members of Congress mostly got the statement wrong. If I go to the bank and get a home equity loan for $50,000, deposit that in my bank account, use $20,000 of it, and send $30,000 that I ended up not needing back to the bank plus some interest, the bank considers that $30,000 repaid and it still has a $20,000 lien on my house.If I sell my house (think IPO) the bank has a right to that $20,000 before I do. Could GM have handled the situation better? Probably, but considering the lure of sensational journalism and the fact that there are still people out there who want to see GM fail no matter what, I don't think there was much GM could have done. The patent process dictated that GM remain silent on certain aspects of the Volts architecture. As a completely new type of automotive locomotion, this meant that the only thing certain about the Volt's powertrain was that there was going to be a surprise or two once the final specifications were released. GM did release an additional press release about the Volt powertrain late yesterday as it became clear there was quite the tempest in a teapot brewing. Here's a line that jumps out at me. There is no direct mechanical connection (fixed gear ratio) between the Volt's extended-range 1.4L engine and the drive wheels. In extended-range driving, the engine generates power that is fed through the drive unit and is balanced by the generator and traction motor. The resulting power flow provides a 10 to 15 percent improvement in highway fuel economy. What makes this whole situation manufactured outrage is this: The Volt doesn't need this connection to operate. If GM had left out this component, the Volt would have functioned exactly as the press had guessed it would, albeit with 15% less gasoline fuel economy when traveling above 70 mph. In the past if GM gave people less, people complained. Today, if GM gives people more, people complain. One of the sayings I'm famous for on Cheers and Gear is, "GM could build a fully working model of Christ himself and people would complain that the water to wine function only dispense a Merlot". I hate being right.

Chrysler 200 - Not Teasing Anymore Chrysler isn't teasing anymore with it's new Chrysler 200 photos Chrysler 200 - Not Teasing Anymore Cheers and Gears Media Gallery: Chrysler 200

Chrysler 200 - Not Teasing Anymore Over the past month, Chrysler has been relentlessly teasing us with small closeup shots of the coming 200c sedan. Well they're not teasing anymore. C&G Media Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 200 From the Press Release: Virtually every system in the sedan is new or upgraded for 2011, giving the Chrysler 200 its own identity and space in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment. Exterior and sheet metal upgrades include: front and rear fascias and fenders, grille featuring the new Chrysler brand winged badge, hood, rear decklid and exterior mirrors, new projector headlamps and fog lamps, new LED taillamps and a LED center high-mounted stop light. The Chrysler 200 gets a new powertrain lineup featuring the 2.4-liter I-4 World Gas Engine mated to either a four-speed or six-speed automatic transaxle, or the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transaxle; improved ride and handling tuning which includes stiffened body mounts and softer ride rate, improved suspension geometry with a raised roll center, a new rear sway bar, and new tires and an extensively upgraded treatment for the reduction of noise, vibration and harshness including acoustic laminated glass for the windshield and front door windows. Quality materials abound in the beautifully updated new interior for 2011. Updates include a new instrument panel, bezels and gauge face, upgraded seats with a new design that incorporates more cushion material and revised spring geometry as well as new leather and cloth seating materials, new "soft touch" armrests and dash, and new heating and cooling outlets in the instrument panel with improved design and functionality. The new 2011 Chrysler 200 provides drivers a beautifully inspired sedan that doesn't compromise safety or practicality and offers the best value in its class. The Chrysler 200 will be built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. and will arrive in dealerships in the fourth quarter 2010. Related: Teaser photos of Chrysler 200 A Million Miles to Mid-Pack. Will the 200 and Avenger be enough? Just a peek: 2011 Dodge Charger interior photos