Hello -
Here's more info on the 1.4 :
Chevy Volt Engine Generator Operates Between 1200 and 4000 RPM - October 2009
Quote:
GM has yet to publicly demonstrate the car operating in this charge-sustaining mode, but most accounts indicate it is unnoticeable.
In spite of many months of rampant speculation here, GM’s lead Volt engineer Andrew Farah has finally disclosed some details about the engine’s operation. He said the generator would “operate from 1200 to 4000 RPMs and from a 30% to 100% load.”
Further explanation comes from Volt Powertrain Engineer Alex Cattelan:
“We don’t keep it at a fixed RPM, we have a window of operation that is optimized. We have been able to optimize the engine for a window of efficiency but it is still best to change your power and torque levels within that window as the customer torque request varies.”
“We don’t want to always be operating at one state because really you may be putting too much energy into the battery or drawing too much energy out of the battery. It is still good to vary that engine power and torque. Not to follow exactly what the accelerator pedal does, but to optimize efficiency.”
Finally Volt vehicle line director Tony Posawatz explains it this way:
“In charge sustaining or range extender mode, the Volt will not follow the throttle position. The challenge is to select the right operating points (RPMs) that are 1.) efficient, 2.) pleasing to the driver, and 3.) meet regulatory requirements.”
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CarloSW2