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Old 01-29-2010, 02:34 AM   #28 (permalink)
cfg83
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NeilBlanchard -

Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard View Post
That is one way to set up a serial hybrid, but Chevy has not done it that way -- they vary the ICE RPM's to adjust to the required power, and they do not charge the battery with the ICE. The reason they do this (they say) is to force you to recharge it when you get to a plug.

I'm not sure this is the right choice, overall -- but I'm sure it depends on how much you drive it each day. I think that since they had to do parts bin engineering, and used the 1.4L to begin with, they may have made the best choice for this design...
I agree. We know a 1.0 turbo was in the running. I don't have the URL, but I *thought* a non-turbo 1.0 was also considered (but maybe the 1.0 was always a turbo).

At then end of the day they went with the 1.4. The latest Prius is up to a 1.8 @ 3000 lbs curb weight. A Volt with a 1.4 @ 3500 lbs curb weight is "reasonable" to me.

CarloSW2
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